What’s the hardest thing about skateboarding?
The fall.
To many students’ dismay, WCU’s policy banning skateboarding is campus wide and active, prohibiting students from using skateboards for leisure or transportation anywhere on WCU streets and sidewalks.
The ban, which also prohibits the use of rollerblades and roller skates, aims to promote a safe environment on campus. However, it has also caused disagreement among the student body. As skateboarding is an accident prone sport, the policy is intended to prevent falls that may cause bodily harm to riders and others, as well as the damage that loss of control of a board can cause. But it has been called to question by some if the policy is really all that necessary or efficient.
The ban is not a new one. It has been in effect since 2011, but with the addition of electric scooters as regular transportation for students on campus, discussion that the policies should be revised has once again sparked, and talk of petitioning the ban has arisen.
Junior Xander Graves, plans to propose a petition that he believes dozens of skaters in the community plan to sign.
“It was pretty straightforward because so many wheeled transportation aids are already allowed. With the ideas of a skate park being proposed to the local Jackson County government as well, I think skating is the perfect outdoor activity to introduce to our community here and surrounding,” Graves said.
In a text message, Graves explained: “From my research, some local state laws restrict reckless skateboarding, such as skating at high speeds, performing dangerous stunts, or skating in crowded, vehicular, private or downtown areas. But skateboarding has never been limited out as an illegal mode of transportation other than on our campus.”
The aim of this petition is to remove the complete ban of skateboarding on campus, so campus policies more closely align with community laws.
Though getting caught using a skateboard can result in a citation or $50 fine, dismissal and pushback among skaters in the community is alive and active. Skateboarders are often seen around campus despite the ban, disregarding the rule and vocalizing desires for change.
“I’d say if you see the police while you’re skating it’s like 50/50 if you get stopped or not,” freshman Cole Dellinger said. “It’s pretty useless, people are gonna skate where they want. Most skaters aren’t trying anything dangerous enough to really get hurt, and the ones that do are more than likely gonna be prepared for it.”
Brian Thomas, Assistant Chief of WCU Police, explained some of the concerns campus police have around skateboarding on campus.
“If you fall off your bicycle, you’ve got a set of handlebars, and you fall together. You may fall down or hurt yourself, but you’re probably gonna hang on to your bicycle. You fall off your skateboard, you usually go one way, the skateboard goes another direction. And that’s a bit of a concern for us,” Thomas said.
Thomas expressed that campus police have no opinion for or against the ban on skateboarding, and that they merely enforce the rules to keep everyone safe.
Students like junior Leon Corbett are proposing to have dedicated skating areas around campus for skaters to get together and practice. Thomas said that this is something that needs to be put forward through student government.
“It depends on where they pick the area, and a lot of it comes down to safety equipment. I think it’s a bigger conversation,” Thomas said. “But they have an option to do that through their Student Government Association. So SGA can actually take that up, and they can bring it to the university administration.”
Regarding the proposal of a petition to remove the campus ban on skateboards, Jarrod Seifert, Student Body Vice President, said SGA is open to working with students on this possible change. Seifert says he has been advising students working on a resolution regarding skateboarding on campus. All that is needed to move forward is the support from the Chief of Police.
Related coverage:
SMN: Local youth renew Sylva skatepark conversation
WCJ: What you might not know about skateboarders at WCU
