2.11 General Requirements

Purpose

1. To address safety issues faced by those persons driving University or personal vehicles to conduct University business. (A University vehicle is defined as any licensed vehicle owned/leased/rented by the State Of Louisiana for University purposes.)

Responsibility

1. Policies and procedures will be administered through the McNeese State University Safe Driver Program and will be coordinated by an approved Program Designee.
2.   The President of McNeese State University will assign said program Program Designee.
   1.   Considering the number of persons and the amount of information and paperwork necessary in a program of such scope and caliber, the Program Designee must have the cooperation and assistance of all supervisors, employees, and student workers.
      1.   Supervisors will determine if a new employee or student worker is required to drive on University business. If so, the new employee or student worker will be required to successfully complete the on-line driver safety program within 90 days of hire.
   2.   The Program Designee will be responsible for providing an accurate, updated list of all authorized drivers of University state vehicles to the University physical plant.
      1.   Only authorized drivers will be allowed to operate University vehicles.
      2.   The Program Designee will notify each supervisor whether or not an employee is authorized to drive his/her personal vehicle to conduct University business.

Program Administration

1.   The program is subject to revision at any time in order to increase and enhance the safety of the University community and the general public.
2.   All policies and procedures outlined in this program apply to members of the University community, supervisors of employees, employees, and student workers authorized to drive either a University vehicle or personal vehicle while conducting University business or state business.
   1.   Considering the number of persons and the amount of information and paperwork necessary in a program of such scope and caliber, the Program Designee must have the cooperation and assistance of all supervisors, employees, and student workers.
      1.   A student worker is defined by Louisiana Office of Risk Management as any student which is employed by the University to do University business and receives a paycheck from the Student Employment Office.
3.   All student workers authorized to drive University vehicles to such events do so under the auspices and supervision of a University faculty or staff member.
   1.   Student workers may only drive as relief for the faculty or staff member.
      1.   Exception: When more than one vehicle is needed for transportation, the student worker may be authorized by a faculty or staff member driving another one of the modes of transportation.
4.   Any member of the University community (faculty, staff and student worker) are required to successfully complete a ‘Safe Driver Course’ to be authorized to drive a University vehicle or personal vehicle driven for University business / event.
   1.   Documentation of successful completion will be filed with the Program Administrator.
   2.   Training is valid for a period of three years.
      1.   Refresher training must be completed on or before the expiration date of the initial training and every three years thereafter.

Vehicle Usage

1. University faculty and staff members are the only persons allowed to reserve a University vehicle.
2.   By reserving a University vehicle and allowing a student worker to drive the vehicle, the faculty/staff member assumes responsibility for the student worker driving the vehicle.
3.   Student workers are not allowed to reserve University vehicles except for Student Government when attending official meetings at a state level.
4.   Only those authorized drivers will be allowed to obtain a vehicle.
5.   The authorized driver must complete a ‘Vehicle Checklist’ (Section 7: Forms) before operating the vehicle.
   1.   Any maintenance problem noted should be remedied before leaving the physical plant motor pool area.
6.   Drivers utilizing University or personal vehicles must obey all parish ordinances, and state and federal laws pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle.
   1.   Prior to utilizing their personal vehicle, the employee must receive written authorization from his or her supervisor allowing this action.
   2.   Employees must provide proof of the minimum liability insurance, on his/her personal vehicle.
   3.   All parties utilizing either a University vehicle or their personal vehicle to conduct University business must report any violation of a motor vehicle law or ordinance to his or her supervisor the next working day.
      1.   Failure to do so may result in disciplinary actions.
      2.   Violation of a motor vehicle law also means that the driver must take the safe driving course again within 90 days of the violation.