PUBLIC & STATE LAWS

Parking fines are payable at the Business Office in the

Student Services Building between

8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Friday

• Appeals Process for Citations: Fines are to be paid within 10 working days from the citation date. Student appeals must be recorded with the Dean of Students Office within 72 hours from the date of the citation. Employees’ appeals must be recorded with the Vice President for Business Affairs.
   
• Overnight Parking: The Public Safety Office should be notified of any vehicle being left on campus overnight, for any reason. The Office requires a description of the vehicle, the parking location, the tag number, and a contact emergency phone number.
  
  
• Vehicle Towing and Impounding: Vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense if they are left unattended without notifying Public Safety.

PROHIBITION OF WEAPONS

State law and institutional policies prohibit the possession or use of any firearm, dangerous weapon, incendiary device, or explosive on campus, at off-campus centers, and off campus when participating in a college-sponsored activity unless such possession or use has been authorized by the College. On campus is further defined to include the College’s premises, including parking lots and areas adjacent thereto.

Carrying or Displaying Firearms in Public Buildings or Areas Adjacent Thereto: Section 16-23-420

SECTION 16-23-420. Possession of firearm on school property; concealed weapons. (A) It is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm of any kind on any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, other post-secondary institution, or in any publicly owned building, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property. The provisions of this subsection related to any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, do not apply to a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.

(B) It is unlawful for a person to enter the premises or property described in subsection (A) and to display, brandish, or threaten others with a firearm.

(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(D) This section does not apply to a guard, law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or student of military science. A married student residing in an apartment provided by the private or public school whose presence with a weapon in or around a particular building is authorized by persons legally responsible for the security of the buildings is also exempted from the provisions of this section.

(E) For purposes of this section, the terms "premises" and "property" do not include state or locally owned or maintained roads, streets, or rights-of-way of them, running through or adjacent to premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, which are open full time to public vehicular traffic.

(F) This section does not apply to a person who is authorized to carry concealed weapons pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31 of Title 23 when upon any premises, property, or building that is part of an interstate highway rest area facility.

Carrying Weapons on School Property: Section 16-23-430

(A) It shall be unlawful for any persons, except State, County, or Municipal law-enforcement officers, or personnel authorized by school officials, to carry on his person, while on any elementary or secondary school property, a knife, with a blade over two inches long, a blackjack, a metal pipe or pole, firearms, or any other type of weapon, device or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Any weapon or object used in violation of this section may be confiscated by the law enforcement division making the arrest.

Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act: Public Law 106-386

Requires tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. The Sex Offender Registry is available to the public at https://www.sled.sc.gov/  

Sale, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or narcotics, hallucinogens, stimulants, and marijuana is specifically prohibited by State statutes and violations will be reported to civil authorities for prosecution. State statutes specifically prohibit gambling on campus.

Other Unlawful Acts Which Call for Discipline Include, But are Not Limited to:

• Destruction, theft, damages, or misuse of College property occurring on or off campus.
  
  
• Unauthorized entry upon the property of the College after closing hours.
  
  
• Unauthorized presence in any College facility after hours.
  
  
• Unauthorized possession or use of a key to any College facility or other property.
  
  
• Possession or use on campus of any firearm or other dangerous weapon or incendiary device or explosive unless such possession or use has been authorized by the College.
  
  
• Possession, use, or distribution on campus of any narcotics, dangerous, or unlawful drugs as defined by the laws of the United States or the State of South Carolina.
  
  
• Possession, use, or distribution on campus of any beverage containing alcohol.
  
  
• Violation of institutional policies while on campus or off campus when participating in a college sponsored activity.

Other Unlawful Acts Which Call for Discipline Include, but are Not Limited to:

• Destruction, theft, damages, or misuse of College property occurring on or off campus.
  
  
• Unauthorized entry upon the property of the College after closing hours.
  
  
• Unauthorized presence in any College facility after hours.
  
  
• Unauthorized possession or use of a key to any College facility or other property.
  
  
• Possession or use on campus of any firearm or other dangerous weapon or incendiary device or explosive unless such possession or use has been authorized by the College.
  
  
• Possession, use, or distribution on campus of any narcotics, dangerous, or unlawful drugs as defined by the laws of the United States or the State of South Carolina.
  
  
• Possession, use, or distribution on campus of any beverage containing alcohol.
  
  
• Violation of institutional policies while on campus or off campus when participating in a college sponsored activity.

Drug-Free Schools and Campus Initiative:

It is the policy of York Technical College to provide a drug-free, healthful, safe, and secure educational environment. Students are required and expected to report to their classes or student activities in an appropriate mental and physical condition to meet the requirements and expectations of their role. In order to prevent the consequences of alcohol and other drug use in the educational setting, the South Carolina Technical Education System has implemented a policy to ensure a drug-free educational environment. This policy is published and made available to all students annually by email from the College Registrar’s office and online at www.yorktech.edu under “About YTC” and then “Consumer Information.”

Failure by any person to find a parking place shall not be an excuse for a violation of these regulations.

• Student Parking Areas: Any parking space that is not marked by signage for specific reserved for parking such as visitor, handicapped, ect.
  
  
• Handicap Parking Spaces: No one should park in a handicap space with out a handicap tag or placard issued to them by the S. C. Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance to the S. C. code of laws 56-3-1970.
  
  

SECTION 56-3-1970. Unlawful acts; penalties; summary court jurisdiction

(A) It is unlawful to park any vehicle in a parking place clearly designated for handicapped persons unless the vehicle bears the distinguishing license plate or placard provided in Section 56-3-1960.

(B) It is unlawful for any person who is not handicapped, or who is not transporting a handicapped person, to exercise the parking privileges granted handicapped persons pursuant to Sections 56-3-1910, 56-3-1960, and 56-3-1965.

(C) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each offense.

(D) The summary courts are vested with jurisdiction to hear and dispose of cases involving a violation of this section.

 

SECTION 56-3-1960. Temporary and permanent parking placards; illegal duplication or forgery

(A) A person who is "handicapped" as defined in Section 56-3-1910 may apply to the department for issuance of a temporary or permanent placard. A person may be issued a temporary placard if the condition causing his handicap is expected to last for at least four months. No applicant may be denied a placard if the applicant follows the procedures established by the department and if the application is accompanied by a certificate from a licensed physician that certifies that the individual is handicapped and whether the handicap is temporary or permanent. The placards must indicate that the person is qualified to use reserved handicapped parking spaces. Applications for placards must be processed through and issued by the department's headquarters. Only one placard may be issued to an applicant. The certification procedure shall adhere to the requirements set forth in Section 56-3-1910. In conjunction with the issuance of a placard, applicants also must be issued a placard registration certificate that must be carried at all times in the vehicle driven by or transporting the handicapped individual. The certificate will display the name of the individual to which the placard was issued. A placard only can be displayed on a vehicle driven by or transporting the disabled individual whose name appears on the placard registration certificate. The department shall charge a fee of one dollar for a placard. An agency, organization, or facility that transports a disabled or handicapped person may receive a placard for each vehicle registered upon proper application and the payment of the appropriate fees.

(B) The placards authorized by this section also may be issued for a vehicle of special design and equipment designed to transport a disabled person who is certified as meeting the requirements of this section for a vehicle used by an agency , organization, or facility that is designed to transport a handicapped or disabled person if the vehicle is titled in the name of the agency, organization, or facility. Proof that the agency, organization, or facility transports a handicapped or disabled person must be in a manner prescribed by the department. A certificate from a licensed physician is not required to apply for placards issued to an agency, organization, or facility. At the time of qualification, applicants qualifying for a placard under this section also must be issued a placard registration certificate that must be carried at all times in the vehicle transporting handicapped or disabled individuals. The certificate will display the name of the agency, organization, or facility to which the placard was issued.

(C) The placards shall conform to specifications set forth in the standards established for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The design must incorporate a means for hanging the placard from a vehicle windshield rearview mirror, and:

(1) contain the International Symbol of Access;

(2) be color coded to reflect user status in the following manner:

(a) dark blue--permanently disabled; and

(b) red--temporarily disabled.

(D) Blue and red placards shall contain the qualified user's photograph. The photograph must be taken from the qualified user's driver's license or identification card on file with the department. However, a photograph is not required for a placard issued to an agency, organization, or facility.

(E) Each placard shall contain the placard's expiration date.

(F) When qualified users park in designated spaces, the placard must be displayed in the windshield of the vehicle by hanging it from the rearview mirror. In vehicles in which hanging may not be feasible, the placard must be placed on the side of the dashboard so that it is clearly visible through the windshield. When more than one placard holder is transported in the same vehicle, only one placard needs to be displayed.

(G) Placards used for parking in designated handicapped spaces must be displayed on vehicles driven by or transporting the handicapped individual whose name appears on the placard registration certificate. When parked in designated spaces, the driver of the vehicle displaying the placard must present the placard registration certificate when requested by law enforcement entities or their duly authorized agents.

(H) Placards and placard registration certificates for permanently disabled persons may be issued and renewed for a maximum period of four years, and are renewable on the owner's birth date. Placards issued to an agency, organization, or facility must be renewed every four years.

(I) A vehicle displaying a valid out-of-state handicapped license plate or placard or other evidence of handicap issued by the appropriate authority as determined by the department is entitled to the parking privileges provided in this section. Handicapped individuals from other states seeking permanent residence in South Carolina have forty-five days after becoming a resident to obtain South Carolina certification.

(J) Placards issued prior to the effective date of this section must be renewed by the expiration date on the placard or by January 1, 2013, whichever is sooner. To renew the placard and receive the certificate, the person must be certified as permanently handicapped as provided in Section 56-3-1910. Upon renewal, the department will issue a certificate as required by this section. Failure to carry a certificate as required by this section by a person using a placard issued prior to the effective date of this section is not a violation of the provisions of this section until after the placard is renewed or January 1, 2013, whichever is sooner.

(K) (1) Except as provided in item (2), a person that violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both, for each offense.

(2) A person who illegally duplicates, forges, or sells a handicapped placard or a person who falsifies information on an application form for a handicapped placard is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for thirty days and fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars.

• Visitor Parking: Visitors to York Technical College desiring to park on campus during the period 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday may obtain limited time visitor permits from the receptionist area in the Administration Building. Vehicles are to be parked in the area designated by signs as visitor parking access. Open parking is in effect after 5:00 p.m.

• Parking by Permit Only (Temporary Permits): These designated parking spaces are reserved for temporarily disabled individuals who display the College’s temporary handicap-parking placard. Students needing this permit should apply at the Special Resources Office in Student Services where the permits are issued. Faculty, staff, or visitors who need the permit should apply at the Human Resources Office in the Administration Building. Issuance of the placards is dependent upon the acceptance and return of a physician-signed application that indicates the nature of the disability and other required information. The standard York Technical College parking decal does not authorize students to park in these spaces.

No person shall park in any areas of space other than those that are valid parking spaces. The only exception to this rule would be if a Public Safety Officer directs students to park in off-limit areas temporarily due to construction or other mitigating circumstances. If a Public Safety Officer directs students to one of these areas on any given day, this does not allow the students to park in that location the following day nor any day thereafter, unless the need is indicated by Public Safety.

 

Harassment, Stalking, and Unlawful Use of Telephone

In an effort to continually promote a safe campus environment, the Campus Police Department is providing this information concerning harassment, stalking, and the unlawful use of telephones. Our motto is: Don't be a victim!...Be Proactive...Not Reactive!" The Department of Public Safety will thoroughly investigate all reported incidents of harassment (including phone and email harassment) and stalking. Violators will be subject to criminal prosecution.

What is Harassment? (From SC Code of Laws Section)

Harassment is a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental distress.

Harassment may include, but is not limited to:

• Following the targeted person as he moves from location to location.
  
  
• Visual, physical, or verbal contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided notice that the contact is unwanted.
  
  
• Surveillance of or the maintenance of a presence near the targeted person's residence, place of work, school,or another place regularly occupied by the targeted person, and vandalism and property damage.

Harassment does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties.

What is Stalking? (From SC Code of Laws Section 16 3-1700)

Stalking is a pattern of words or conduct that is intended to cause and does cause a targeted person and would cause a reasonable person in the targeted person's position to fear:

• Death of the person or a member of his family.
• Assault upon the person or a member of his family.
• Bodily injury to the person or a member of his family.
• Criminal sexual contact on the person or a member of his family.
• Kidnapping of the person or a member of his family.
• Damage to the property of the person or a member of his family.

Stalking does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties.