SCOPE: FACULTY AND STAFF

Issued: 04/1/00

Revised: 06/01/09

In order to carry out the mission of Lamar University, the institution has deemed it necessary to purchase and lease motor vehicles. These vehicles include cars, trucks, and vans. While providing these vehicles for the use of its employees, the University also assumes the liability associated with their operation. In order to protect the capital investment of the University, and to control the risk associated with operation of these motor vehicles by authorized personnel, the University has established this policy governing the use and operation of all vehicles either owned or leased by it.

1. Vehicles are to be used exclusively for University business except that vehicles provided to the President, the Chief of Police, the Assistant Chief of Police and certain employees in the Police and Athletic departments are authorized as ―take home‖ vehicles in order to make them immediately available for use on University business at any time.

2. All vehicles owned by the University shall be maintained on a regular schedule with the work performed by the vehicle maintenance division of the Facilities Management Department, or a private vendor who provides vehicle maintenance as a regular part of its business. Vehicles leased by the University must have maintenance performed in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.

3. All employees must receive approval from the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations in order to be authorized to operate motor vehicles owned or leased not individual leases by the University. Employees must present evidence of the possession of a valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record. Any employee requesting authorization to operate a University vehicle will be subject to a check of his/her driving record prior to receiving approval. Written permission must be given by the employee before the check can be initiated.

4. If deficiencies are found in an employee’s driving record, he/she may be subject to denial of the use of a vehicle, or may be requested to attend and complete a program of driver education before approval is granted.

5. An employee who, as part of his/her job description, has the requirement to drive a University-owned vehicle and is unable to receive authorization from the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations may be subject to termination.

6. Any candidate for employment who, as part of his/her job description, has the requirement to drive a University vehicle, must obtain authorization from the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations as a condition of employment and must be approved prior to driving any University vehicle.

7. Any employee may have his/her driving privileges revoked at any time by the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations when, in his sole judgment, it is in the best interests of the University.

8. In addition, driving privileges may be revoked upon:

8.1 Falsification of information given in acquiring authorization to operate a University owned vehicle;

8.2 Involvement in an accident that was caused by the careless operation of the University vehicle;

8.3 Receiving a traffic citation while operating a University vehicle; or

8.4 Violations of any of the University rules governing the operation of University vehicles.

9. When personal vehicles are used for university business travel, the employee’s automobile insurance will be the primary coverage in the event of an accident.