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Transportation PolicyR.I.C.S.Introduction
To meet these needs and help bridge Bucknell to the world outside the campus, the University offers a limited number of vehicles to enhance the student’s experience and to support faculty and departmental needs. It is also the responsibility of the University to provide travel guidelines for its students, faculty and staff with emphasis on safety and risk management.
The following document provides guidelines for
Areas of Responsibility for Travel
Transportation Services, Office of Reservation, Information and Conference Services (RICS)
The Transportation Services Coordinator is responsible for the scheduling of the University fleet and ensuring that transportation policies are enforced. The Coordinator works with Facilities for maintenance and Risk Management for interpretation of the guidelines and other safety issues. The Director of Reservation, Information and Conference Services approves longer trips and makes other exceptions as needed.
Safety Services
Safety Services is responsible for providing the Driver Orientation Program for all students who want to drive University vehicles. It also is responsible for providing a behind-the-wheel road evaluation for mini-buses or other vehicles, when applicable. This department maintains copies of all student drivers’ licenses and conducts a motor vehicle record search on all students. It is the decision of this department to permit students to drive University vehicles.
General Counsel
It is the responsibility of the office of General Counsel to provide for the interpretation of the transportation policy, as well as the insurance coverage for all University vehicles.
Transportation Committee
The Transportation Committee is comprised of the director of Safety Services, director of Reservation, Information and Conference Services and the office of General Counsel Risk Manager. This group updates the transportation policy and determines disciplinary action for individuals or groups when appropriate.
Facilities
Facilities is responsible for the maintenance of all University owned vehicles.
Procurement
Procurement is responsible for purchasing University vehicles, as well as providing cost efficient air travel through a University approved travel agent.
Managing Student Travel
University vehicles are available for student recognized organizations for official University business only.
The use of University vehicles for individual student internships, personal volunteerism, research, employment or employment interviews is not permitted under the transportation policy.
University vehicles may be requested by · BSG recognized student club or organization, with BSG approval for funding, and advisor approval. · Intramural and club sports, approved by director of Recreation Services
Transportation Services
Managing Faculty and Departmental Travel
University vehicles are available for official University business and not for personal use.
Any person operating a university-owned or leased vehicle will be subject to an annual review of their motor vehicle driving history.
Vehicle Use Policy
A. University vehicles are available for official University business and not for personal use. University business is defined as that business necessary to facilitate the operation of the University and its programs. University business includes all transportation in support of academic affairs and administrative activities, transportation in support of participation in athletic competition, and that which is used in the group activity of BSG recognized organizations, which is consistent with the organization’s chartered purpose. Should there be a question regarding the validity of the use for a vehicle, Transportation Services will determine in its sole discretion whether or not the request will be approved.
B. Faculty, staff and students should be encouraged not to use their own vehicles to transport students to University-sponsored off-campus events that students are expected to attend, e.g., field trips for classes in which a student is enrolled, athletic events in which a student is a participant. The University’s vehicle insurance will not cover these trips. (See Private Vehicles)
C. Trips by any student group must be approved in writing by their advisor. No vehicle will be released to a driver without this prior approval.
D. Use of vehicles during an emergency or inclement weather will be at the sole discretion of the Reservation, Information and Conference Services Department. Users will be reminded to call Transportation Services(570)577-3785 or the Switchboard at 570-577-2000 in the event of an emergency situation.
E. If transportation to/from an airport is required for an extended trip, arrangements should be made for a driver. A vehicle may not be left or parked overnight at any airport. Faculty or staff should use their own vehicles to and from airports.
F. Long distance trips for academic departments and student club/organizations 1. Organizations traveling a distance of 200 miles or greater one way must have the additional approval of the director of Reservation, Information and Conference Services and Risk Management.
2. Organizations traveling overnight or longer, must have the additional approval of the director of Reservation, Information and Conference Services and Risk Management.
3. Organizations planning an overnight trip must be accompanied by a University staff person, who is 23 years of age or older. This person must be an employee of the University, but not an undergraduate or traditional graduate. There must be written documentation that a staff person will accompany the group on the trip. Lengthy class trips or a vacation-break project will be subject to careful consideration.
4. All trips, including those which are academic or co-curricular, must fill-out a trip plan which includes a specific itinerary.
5. No student club/organization may exceed a trip of 300 miles, one way.
6. No driver may exceed driving 300 miles or seven (7) hours a day.
7. No faculty or departmental trip may exceed 500 miles one way. No trip may exceed a driving time of 12 hours without a layover, using two or more drivers. A layover is defined as 6 hours minimum. (See Safe Driving Practices)
3. No driver may exceed driving 300 miles or seven (7) hours in a day, times 12 hours total without a layover, using two or more drivers.
4. No trip may exceed 500 miles one way.
5. The student driver may not compete athletically and drive for more than ninety (90) minutes after the event.
6. If drivers feel fatigued or impaired, they should stop and rest.
7. No faculty or departmental trip may exceed 500 miles one way. No trip may exceed a driving time of 12 hours without a layover, using two or more drivers. A layover is defined as 6 hours minimum. (See Safe Driving Practices)
3. No driver may exceed driving 300 miles or seven (7) hours in a day, times 12 hours total without a layover, using two or more drivers.
4. No trip may exceed 500 miles one way.
5. The student driver may not compete athletically and drive for more than ninety (90) minutes after the event.
6. If drivers feel fatigued or impaired, they should stop and rest.
Services/BSG recognition with an official club or student organization account. Department use must provide a departmental budget account number.
J. Organizations renting/leasing vehicles, including buses, are bound by the same code of conduct and vehicle use policy as if they were using a University vehicle.
K. No animals are to be transported in University vehicles.
L. The University has the right to suspend or terminate student driving privileges and/or file charges through the community judicial system for violations of the transportation policy by a student(s) and/or any student organization. The University has the right to suspend or terminate University employees for violations.
M. Rental of 15 passenger vans for any use by any University N. Golf carts are to be used on only the Bucknell University Golf O. The University prohibits the use of cell phones while operating P. Requests can be made for a sedan, mini-van or mini-bus, but Q. University vehicles are not permitted for personal use by
Driver Qualification, Obligations and Training
Qualifications for Drivers
A. University-owned vehicles consist of:
a. passenger sedans d. trucks, maintenance vehicles
1. University driver requirements a. At least 18 years of age and a valid license in effect for a minimum of two years. b. International license is not acceptable. c. First year students are not permitted to drive University vehicles under any circumstances.
2. Bucknell Driver Orientation Program a. Students must successfully complete the Driver Orientation Program. b. The program includes classroom instruction and on the road evaluation, when applicable. c. Behind-the-wheel evaluations of individuals for d. There will be a fee of $20 for the classroom instruction. e. Students pay $20 a year for re-certification.
3. Driver History Questionnaire a. All drivers must complete a driver history registration form on an annual basis. Failure to comply with the registration will result in an automatic suspension of driving privileges. b. MVR’s are reviewed on an annual basis by the department of safety services. Criteria for use of University vehicles has been developed by Bucknell officials and the University’s insurance broker. c. As a requirement of new employment, a MVR will be done when operation of a University vehicle is a condition of employment. This investigation should be completed prior to employment.
a. University policy states that a student must not have exceeded one at-fault accident and/or one moving violation in the last three years. b. University policy states that employees must not have exceeded one at-fault accident and/or two moving violations in the last three years. c. All accidents and transportation policy infractions will be reviewed by the transportation committee. Drivers will be notified of any sanctions imposed by the committee as a result of policy infractions. d. Sanctions range from warnings to loss of driving privileges.
5. Conviction for driving under the influence or other driving a. A student convicted of driving under the influence, underage drinking, reckless driving, failure to yield, evading responsibility or other serious driving misconduct or has lost state driving privileges in the last three years, is ineligible to drive any University vehicle. There will be no exception to this rule. b. Any employee convicted of driving under the influence, reckless driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to yield, evading responsibility, or other serious driving misconduct or has lost state driving privileges, will be ineligible to operate University vehicles. The University reserves the right to review the driving history after an employee’s license is reinstated. c. Any charges of driving misconduct pending for either student or employee, must self report to Risk Management, General Counsel’s office at 577-7439. Failure to make such a report will automatically render a person ineligible to operate a University vehicle indefinitely. The decision on whether a person with such charges pending will be permitted to operate a university vehicle will be made on a case-to-case basis. 6. The University reserves the right to deny or rescind driving
B. Mini-Buses
1. Must comply with all of the above.
2. Students must successfully complete the University driver orientation course, including behind the-wheel driving skills.
C. Any person operating a University-owned or leased vehicle will be subject to an annual review of their motor vehicle driving history. Drivers included are: - Faculty - Administration, including officers of the University - Public Safety, including safe ride drivers - Facilities - Athletics - Students and Graduate Students - Contract Drivers - Drivers of departmental vehicles from Technical Services, University Theatre, Learning Spaces, Dining Services, Student Health Services, Geology, Administrative Services
D. Drivers have an obligation to notify transportation services immediately with any changes in their driving history. The University has the right to suspend or terminate driving privileges for any person who has not immediately reported changes, including any pending violations or convictions. Student failure
Driver Obligations
1. All drivers must have and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.
2. Drivers may use vehicles only for official university business, and with 3. Authorized drivers shall not permit unauthorized drivers to operate vehicles.
4. Drivers must make sure all passengers use seat belts at all times, even if not required by law. The number of passengers should not exceed number of seat belts. The vehicle should not move from a parked position unless all seat belts are secured. See Seat Belt Policy.
5. Operate the vehicle in accordance with all applicable traffic laws and University regulations. When driving through construction zones, lights must be on and speed limits observed, and any other local laws and/or requirements. Safe driving practice should be adhered to at all times.
6. Drivers must assume personal responsibility for any fines, penalties and interest associated with traffic and/or moving violations relating to the operation of University vehicles. Violations must be reported to the Transportation Services Office. Failure to pay incurred fines will result in suspension or termination of University driving privileges.
7. Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited. Operating a university vehicle after ingesting a substance which may impair the individual’s ability to operate the vehicle is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply will result in suspension of university driving privileges and possible additional disciplinary actions.
8. There is to be no consumption, use or possession of alcoholic beverages by driver or passenger in a University vehicle, regardless of age. It is the responsibility of the driver and adult advisor, to see that no alcoholic beverages are consumed and/or transported within the vehicle, and that there is compliance with all transportation policies.
9. transportation of current Bucknell faculty, staff, spouses and students. The submission of passenger lists to Transportation Services is required prior to departure. An exception for staff spouse or spousal equivalent is permitted with prior approval from Transportation Services. Under no circumstances are children of staff permitted to be transported in University vehicles.
10. A trip plan with an itinerary form must be filed in advance with Transportation Services when taking an out-of-town trip. This plan must be specific with departure and arrival times to destination and any proposed use of the university vehicle while at the destination. Also specific departure and arrival back to campus should be included.
11. While the vehicle is “running”, never leave it unattended. When leaving the vehicle, remove the keys and lock the door.
12. Only authorized persons, listed on the Vehicle Request Form for each specific request, are permitted to drive a University vehicle.
13. In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations, a trip may need to be postponed or cancelled. If in doubt, call Transportation Services (570) 577-3785) or the University Switchboard (570-577-2000).
15. Immediately report all accidents to the proper authorities including state and local police. In addition, immediately notify Transportation Services (570) 577-3785 or the University Switchboard (570) 577-2000 during non work hours. A University accident report form, found in vehicle glove compartment, must be filed immediately upon return to campus and given to Risk Management in the General Counsel’s Office (Marts 209). All sections of report must be completed either with pertinent information or designate a N/A (not applicable) when appropriate.
16. Failure to comply with any University transportation policy regarding the operation of vehicles will result in suspension or termination of driving privileges, and possibly other disciplinary action.
17. A fee of $25 may be applied for a non-cancellation, a late return of keys and/or incomplete paperwork. A minimal fee of $50 will be applied for lost keys. A minimal cleaning fee of $75 will be charged when a vehicle is returned in unsatisfactory condition.
18. The university reserves the right to make amendments to this policy when it deems appropriate.
Additional Clarification on Policies
Seat Belt Policy
Use of Private Vehicles If you use your own vehicle on University business, your own insurance policy serves as a “primary” policy for third party liability and physical damage to your vehicle. This means that if a claim arising out of an accident exceeds your policy limits, then the University’s policy will cover the accident in excess of your policy. The University’s Uninsured/Underinsured coverage does not extend to non-owned vehicles. It is recommended that you consult with your insurance agent or broker for this type of coverage.
Safe Driving Practices Driver Fatigue is the leading cause of traffic accidents in the
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the RICS office or to Risk Management/General Counsel.
August 2007
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BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY • 701 MOORE AVENUE • LEWISBURG • PA 17837 • (570)
577-2000
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