Skateboarding part in Waynesville, NC is one of the few places WCU students can skate and practice. Photo by Marina Cooper.
For many students at Western Carolina University, skateboarding is a reliable and relaxing form of transportation on campus that is quick and efficient. It is not unusual to see students coasting around campus with penny-boards, longboards, and skateboards, but according to Title IX of the Official Parking Regulations, skateboards are banned on campus.
WCU sent out an email 10/14/2020 that reminded students that Title IX of the Official Parking Regulations states that “the use of skateboards, roller blades, or roller skates upon the streets and sidewalks of campus is prohibited.”
Amy Woods, a Sophomore at WCU, began a petition “Allow skateboarding on Western Carolina University campus streets and sidewalks”, which gave a voice for the skateboarding students.
“My friends and I made this petition to give freedom to our fellow students. We’d prefer them to have a choice to skateboard to class and not have to worry about getting busted by Parking Operations and pay a $50 fee,” said Woods, through direct message on Instagram.
The petition is still going with over 1,120 signatures and a goal of 1,500. Students are encouraged to sign the petition with the link above.
WCU, UNC- Asheville, and Appalachian State are the only three schools in the UNC system to ban skateboards. Appalachian State university police have been working the Transportation Committee and SGA to adjust the university policy towards skateboarding.
Campus police Chief Lillard opened about the University’s actions surrounding the Title.
“I have spoken with members of SGA regarding this regulation who have indicated that they are working toward proposing changes to the language of this article. I am not aware of any formal conversations that have taken place with university leadership regarding altering the current rules,” said Lillard in an email.
He added that this regulation has been in place for more then 10 years. “It does appear that we are receiving more calls for service related to skateboard riders interfering with traffic flow this year as opposed to previous years which would increase the contact the police officers would have with those riding skateboards on campus.”
Involving violations, he added, “The decision to issue a campus citation regarding a violation of this article rests solely with the responding officer. There is no set requirement that a student be given a warning for a first offence. Every situation is different and the officer making that decision will base his/her actions on the circumstances that he or she discover.”
Sara Stanley, a reporter for The Western Carolinian, discussed more information concerning the Campus Police and reasoning behind the policy in her article “Students petition to allow skateboarding on campus.’
Other students such as bicycle riders have also expressed their concern and confusion with the policy violation fee.
Since WCU skateboarders are not allowed to ride on campus many of them go to the skate park in Waynesville to practice and have fun. This is the nearest park in the area. See the photo story in the link below
Casey Millsaps, a Junior and cycling club member at WCU, voices his concern for the policy violation fee as a student.
“$80 is far too much for a ticket like this. If they are going to enforce the issue, then start with a minimum of $10 for the first offence, then $30-$50 max. Ridiculous fines like that give WCU Police a terrible reputation,” Millsaps said through direct message on Instagram.
Nicholas Krug, a Junior at WCU, said, “There can be a concern involving beginner skateboarders attempting to ride on the large hills at campus. As a driver, I do not want to worry about potentially injuring a skateboarder if they were to lose control near the road.”
To learn more about WCU’s policies go here.
