Policy Change

The main policy on campus that I have a problem with is the policy on skateboarding. This could be because I've already been to Student Judicial once, and have another appointment on the 16th, but there is also a larger problem. As it stands now, skateboards may only be used as transportation. This means if I want to do a couple of no-complys(a what?), treflips(hmm?), or maybe just ollie over some cracks in the side walk on the way to class I'm going to get in some serious trouble. I use a little "jargon" to illustrate how skateboarding is typically not understood by the "powers that be". The first argument made against skateboarding is that it damages property. I've tried to explain, multiple times, that my skateboard is not going to damage any property by going up in the air and coming back down; its simple logic. Which is harder: concrete, asphalt, and brick; or urethane, a type of plastic? I would say that this is a fairly easy question to answer, apparently not for our administration. The justification I always hear from the USCPD is "I know you don't have anywhere to go, but you can't skate here". Now, though this does sound like just a poor excuse for a policy(it is) it is also a window for solution. Give us somewhere to go! There is a bench near the Horseshoe that my friends and I always skate, just give us that bench. Problem solved. We'll skate that bench to our heart's content and won't bother with anything else on campus. The second argument against skating on campus is that its "dangerous". Yes, possibly dangerous to those of us actually on board. I know for a fact that everyone who rides a skateboard is aware of the calculated risk in doing so. We do not pose a "dangerous" threat to anyone else, we take into consideration other people's space etc. If there is policy against skateboarding because its dangerous to other people, what about bikes? Overall, I feel that the policy on skateboarding should be revised to only include rules against skating on handrails and stairs. This would solve the damage problem for the school and let me skateboard how I want.

Not only is skateboarding dangerous, it also damages public property and is a liability to the university. Skateboarding can cause falls resulting in broken limbs or other serious injury, also it can involve other people. If someone runs into someone, both people could be seriously injured. The university cannot afford the liability of skateboarding and skateboard related injuries. Skateboarding also tears up our walkways, stairs, hand railings, benches, and other surfaces. This gives the university a very undesirable appearance. No one wants to attend a school with wax on ledges or traces of paint on benches. There is also strong information linking skateboarders with the crack-cocaine drug ring in Columbia. Skateboarding is an unacceptable practice on campus.