Appeal Process - Parking and Transportation Services

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Appeals Process

The Appeal is a process in place for use by those who wish to dispute a parking ticket they have received. This process allows for the resolution of any misunderstanding regarding the parking rules and regulations. The process is an administrative hearing comprising of two steps,

Step 1 of which is the written appeal, must be submitted within 10 calendar days of the violation. The written appeal affords the opportunity to explain the circumstances that made it necessary to park in violation.

For example:

improper citation (the citation was improperly or inaccurately written or documented).
extenuating circumstances (appellant’s ability to be aware of a violation or be in compliance with the UM Parking Rules was impeded, impaired or actually prohibited).

If you fail to submit your appeal within the required time, you automatically waive your right to the appeal and you become liable for the fine. Failure to pay the fine will result in withholding of parking privileges and other sanctions, possibly including towing.

Step 1 Appeal Request Form

Review Process

The Parking and Transportation Services Appeal Hearing Officer will review the appeal and provide a written response within 10 business days.

Step 2 of the appeals process, should you choose to pursue it, is an opportunity for an oral appeal to explain why you feel the decision of this Step 1 appeal was unreasonable, arbitrary, or not supported by appropriate facts.

Step 2 appeal requests must be filed within 10 calendar days of receiving your Step 1 decision. The request for the Step 2 appeal must be done via the Step 2 appeal request form linked below. The appellant will be notified in writing of the time and place of a Step 2 hearing.
If you fail to submit your appeal within the required time, you automatically waive your right to the appeal and you become liable for the fine. Failure to pay the fine will result in withholding of parking privileges and other sanctions, possibly including towing.

In considering a Step 2 appeal, a Parking Services representative may uphold the original decision; dismiss the violation; or find the individual responsible for some lesser violation. Written notification of the Step 2 Appeal decision will be sent via email or hard-copy mail. If a Step 2 appeal is denied, the appellant (if not a student) has ten calendar days, from the date of the Step 2 decision notice, to pay the fine. The appellant need not be present at the Step 2 hearing; the appellant’s absence may not prejudice the decision reached.

Step 2 Appeal Request Form

Please Note… Even if you are appealing a parking violation it is very important that you pay the waiver fee. One unpaid parking violation will prevent the student from registering for classes or receiving his/her grades, transcripts, or diploma. Should the outcome of your appeal be in your favor, the amount of the parking violation will be refunded to you through the Bursar’s Office.