SGA Van Policy

General Van Information

1. VANS MUST NEVER LEAVE THE 5 BOROUGHS INCLUDING LI (Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx, and Manhattan).
2. The Office of Student Leadership and Activities has the right to void all requests for student government vans and ground the student government vans from being used if weather conditions do not permit safe usage.
3. Only Hofstra University Student (s) are to be transported within the five boroughs, (guest speakers, etc are NOT allowed to be transported, see number 1) to Hofstra University in the student government association vans (No non-Hofstra students are to be transported in the SGA vans).
4. ONLY NEW YORK drivers can drive SGA vans; must have a valid driver's license WITHOUT points or outstanding violations.
5. An advisor/ coach must accompany a student group if the trip exceeds a fifty-mile radius from campus.   An advisor/coach must also be present for trips in which the van(s) will be utilized more than twenty-four hours/overnight.  The advisor must be a full time employee at Hofstra University, and its subject to approval by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.  The maximum round-trip mileage is 200 miles.
6. Organizations are responsible for themselves and the SGA van(s) in case of vehicle breakdown.  At least one member should stay with the vehicle during a breakdown.  SGA vans should not be left unattended during any breakdowns.  Organizations will follow the Emergency Procedures Guidelines (listed within the next pages).  All requesting groups must be prepared to furnish a credit card in the event of the need for emergency funds in most cases.
7. A group may not schedule a van for another group's use and may not relinquish their van to another group without approval from the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.  Such actions will result in penalties and suspension for future van utilization.
8. Requests are granted on a first come, first served basis with consideration to the intended use of the van(s). As there is tremendous demand for van use, vans must be reserved well in advance of intended use (a minimum of 5 business days, 2 weeks for priority). Exceptions to this rule, need to be approved by the assistant director of Student Leadership and Activities.
9. Van request forms must be completed properly and supporting materials provided before usage.  A copy of a valid driver's license must be included for the person(s) operating the vehicle.  Requestors will be responsible to return to return the van exactly how they received it.
10. Groups may use vans for University-related business only.  For this reason proper documentation is necessary to prove that the trip is being provided for students by students for club sponsored activities. 
11. No reimbursements will be made for gasoline, tolls, parking, etc.  Mechanical repairs will be reimbursed provided receipts are submitted to the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.  Remember to keep all doors locked at all times and remove all personal property when leaving the van.  Hofstra University WILL NOT be responsible for lost or stolen articles in the van.  THE PROPER USE OF THE VAN IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY AND FINES MAY BE CHARGED TO THE SPONSOR GROUPS BUDGET.
12. Any and all tickets (parking, moving, other violations, etc.) are the driver's responsibility.  If an SGA FUNDED GROUP receives a ticket the driver will be given two weeks to submit payment.  If delinquent, the group's budget will be frozen until payment is made.  Additionally, disciplinary action will be taken for failure to comply.

Van Sanctions and Penalties

All sanctions listed are minimum sanctions and may be altered at the discretion of the Office of the Student Activities and/or advisor.  The ORGANIZATION who requested the van must pay all fines.  The following are stipulations that will result in a loss of your deposit, suspension from future van utilization, and additional sanctions at the discretion of The Office of Student Leadership and Activities.  Generally, there will be a three-strike policy with the SGA vans.  However, depending upon the severity of the violation, even the first time offenses may results in a loss of privileges or disciplinary actions through The Dean of Students Office.  First strike is a warning, second one is probation from the vans for a week, and third strike will result in the organization not being able to use the SGA vans for one full school year from that date.  Fines will also be assessed to the individual or organization if the van is given back dirty.  If the van is given back with excess garbage there will be fines as-well-as suspension from use.

• Van not returned clean (i.e. Dirty=$25, excessive cleaning $50/$100 and/or a strike)
• Mileage Log not returned upon conclusion of your trip
• Van not returned to parking booths west of the Student Center after use
• Inappropriate removal of van seat(s)
• Van used for reasons other than those indicated in Van Request Packet
• Possession of alcohol or drugs inside the van (Indefinite suspension of van usage privileges for the remainder of the organizations existence at Hofstra University and referral to Dean of Students)
• Keys not returned upon conclusion of your trip
• Van driven by an individual other than the individual on the driver information sheet (indefinite suspension of van usage privileges and possible judicial proceeding for failure to comply)
• Van driven over the allowable mileage
• External or internal damage to van

Note: Any drug, alcohol, or van abuse will be subject to disciplinary actions; Strikes against SGA van users are given at the sole discretion of the Office of Student Leadership & Activities.

Van Key Distribution

Keys for the van will be kept in the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, room 260 Student Center. Registration and Insurance cards for the vans will be located in the storage compartments of each van.

Vans Scheduled for Monday-Thursday
If you are scheduled to use a van Monday-Thursday, keys must be picked up in the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, room 260 Student Center.  Registration and Insurance cards for the vans will be located in the storage compartments of each van. 

Vans Scheduled for Friday-Sunday
If you are scheduled to use a van on Friday-Sunday, keys must be picked up on Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. only.  (Friday summer hours 9 a.m.-4p.m.)  If keys are being returned after 5 p.m. on Friday or during a Holiday please use drop off box located next to the entrance of the Office Student Leadership and Activities

Van keys will not be issued after 5 p.m. Monday-Friday- No Exceptions!!!!

Van Key Drop Off

Upon return of your scheduled trip, keys must be returned to the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, room 260 Student Center.  Drop the keys and mileage form by noon to the next day in room 260 Student Center.  This is the only acceptable place to return keys.  Keys must be dropped off by 12pm the following day, NO EXCEPTIONS! Weekends and holidays are not valid excuses.

Failure to return van keys prior to 12 p.m. on the day following completion of van use or loss of van keys will result in loss of the $25.00 deposit.  Loss of keys and replacement of lock will cost approximately $300 (subject to change) and payment must be submitted before the group will be permitted future van use.  (Where applicable, a budget transfer will be made).

Cancellation

Due to the large volume of requests, if you do not plan on using your scheduled van you must cancel your reservation at (516) 463-6914.  Failure to do so could jeopardize the use of vans in the future and loss of $25.00 deposit. 

Emergency Procedures

In case of disablement, accident or general emergency, follow these guidelines:

1. Organize group in safe location away from traffic.  If there is an accident, gather all information that you can and write it down (i.e. Witness license numbers, insurance information, police names, location of vehicles after impact, etc.)  You MUST contact the police in the event of an accident, NO MATTER how minor.
2. The driver will take responsibility for the van.  The driver must have a valid drivers' license and a credit card.  The van should never be left abandoned. If the van is disabled, the driver must be prepared to stay with vehicle near the point of disablement for up to forty-eight hours or until the van can be repaired, or be prepared to return to pick up the van once it has been repaired. Designee must also be prepared to write a full statement on what occurred, as this may be requested.
3. If someone is injured, first contact the local police department @ 911, and then immediately contact Public Safety at (516) 463-6606.  Ask Public Safety to contact the Office of Student Leadership and Activities staff member who is on call and the Director of Student Leadership and Activities.
4. Contact the Office of Student Leadership and Activities:
   From 9:00am-5:00pm (516) 463-6914.  Any other time after 5:00pm and before 9:00am (Cell number): Anita Ellis: (516) 610-6913 or Kimberly Rhyan (516) 603-0167.  Be prepared to receive incoming calls.  The Student Leadership and Activities representative will help you coordinate to wing, repairs, or even over night stays as necessary.  Organizations and departments may be held responsible for a portion of related emergency expenses.
   Those groups, organizations, and departments that do get into an accident causing significant damage will be subject to sanctions and fiscal fines appointed by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.  The driver must go to Phillips Hall room 100 to fill out an Insurance Accident Form.  Failure to do so will result in additional penalties and suspension from future utilization.

Steps for Reserving a Van

OSLA Van Key and Return Procedures

Mon.-Fri. See Kimberly Rhyan, Anna Arena, or Fatou Gueye to pick up or drop off keys/forms
Sat.-Sun: Drop Box (next to office door of 260 Student Center- push the keys all the way into the box)

*New York Residents can only drive SGA vehicles.

1. Fill out the entire Van Packet and make sure you attach a completed roster even if you have filled it out before. No exceptions.  Please submit two weeks in advance for priority.
2. Attach a copy of your driver's license (Front and Back) for Public Safety to run a background check on your driver's records.
3. Upon approval from Public Safety, OSLA will assign van(s) and contact your group via phone or e-mail to pick up your keys. 
4. Come to OSLA to pick up your keys and mileage form.  Sign out the key using the van log sheet.
5. Groups must completely fill out a mileage form for each van being used.
6. Return your key(s) and mileage form(s) the same day.  Please sign your keys back in the van log.

*If these steps are not followed, OSLA may suspend your use of the vans temporarily, from one week to a full semester.

 Forms

• Van Request Packet