Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Citing safety concerns and property damage, Western Kentucky University officials have decided to ban the use of skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates and trick bicycles on campus.

According to Howard Bailey, dean of student life, the decision came about partially because of the damage done to benches and walls around campus, particularly the Guthrie Tower and plaza, the complex for engineering and biological sciences and the Downing University Center patio. The ban is effective immediately.

Weve had quite a bit of damage from vandalism and from skateboards and roller blades, Bailey said. There has been misuse of benches, embankment walls and a variety of other things.

The decision was also made out of concern for students safety, Bailey added.

Were becoming more aware of accidents in the use of recreational equipment on other campuses, he said.

While Bailey is not aware of any major injuries on Westerns campus due to skateboards, in-line skates or trick bikes, he said it has become a problem on many other campuses across the country.

But a ban on using this equipment does not mean students cannot possess it. That is, a student would not get in trouble for keeping in-line skates in his or her dorm room.

There are probably locations out in the community where the use of that equipment would not be damaging and would be safe, Bailey said. We havent said they cant possess it, but we dont want it used on campus.

The ban will have negative effects for 19-year-old Kevin Oberhausen from Louisville, who is a skateboarder.

But all I do is ride, he said. I dont do tricks.

Oberhausen added that the ban will affect a lot of people and its not fair to ban all skateboarding, since simply riding a skateboard does no damage.

Melissa Mattingly, 20, of Lebanon said she doesnt skateboard, roller blade or ride a trick bike, but she thinks the ban is unnecessary.

I think there are other things they could ban that would be more effective than skateboards, she said.

The ban extends to buildings, sidewalks, roadways, parking lots, garages and decks on university property, including but not limited to curbs, benches, rails/railings, monuments or other structures located on any university property, according to the text of the policy.

Trick bikes are defined as those which are distinguishable from regular bicycles by a horizontal bar on the front and/or rear wheels, used for grinding or sliding across different surfaces.

Non-students who violate the policy can be arrested and held liable for any damage they cause. Western students will also be subject to disciplinary actions through the student life judicial system.

Use of regular bicycles is still acceptable.

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