Skateboard ban limits mobility, senators say

On a campus full of hills, Pepperdine students often struggle to find ways to get to class fast.

Some students think that this problem is compounded by the ban on skateboards and scooters. In the Vehicles section, the Student Handbook states: “Riding skateboards, roller skates, scooters (e.g. “razors”) and roller blades is prohibited anywhere and anytime on campus.”

Students have to find alternate ways to get to class. Some students simply commit to starting out early and walking, others ride bikes, like junior Henry Floris.

 “It’s hard for people [to walk] especially if you’re running late,” said Floris, who lives in Banowsky, one of the further residence halls from main campus. “It’s easy to roll down to class.

Floris said the current restrictions keep him from exploring different ways to get to class.

 “I would have a scooter, but they’re banned,” Floris said.

However, a few members of the SGA hope to change the rules. Junior Senator Travis Hunter and his fellow junior Senators hope to lift the ban on skateboards and scooters.

“We just want to make it available to students to commute via skateboard,” said junior Senator Will Golemon.

Golemon chooses an alternative to getting to class by riding his bicycle — a trend common in larger universities and gaining popularity on campus.

“I ride it to class everyday. I am that kid,” Golemon of the uniqueness of his method of transportation. “But it’s so much faster.”

Golemon said safety issues should not serve as a deterrent for allowing skateboards on campus.

“If it’s safe for bicycles, then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be safe for skateboards,” he said.

 However, some students feel that legalizing skateboards and scooters could be dangerous.

“I think it’s appropriate that [students] can’t have skateboards and other stuff,” said freshman Lauren Herr. “It’s dangerous because there are a lot of steep hills and people are walking everywhere.”

Other students are not overly concerned about the safety aspect of skateboards present on campus.

“The people that I see riding them are very in control of them,” said freshman Emily Frigo, who has seen students riding skateboards despite the ban. “And there are not very many of them.”

Frigo, however, did suggest a licensing system for skateboards and scooters. The SGA Senators agree, and have their own safety precautions in mind.

“We recognize that there is a reason for concern for safety,” Golemon said. Golemon said that the SGA has already begun the process of talking to DPS and administration about possibilities to overcome the safety risk.

The senators have discussed possibilities such as an educational class or video for skateboard and scooter riders, skateboard and scooter registration, safe speed regulation and a three strikes disciplinary policy for skateboard and scooter riders. These steps, or others like them would be part of an effort to appease both sides; students who wish to ride skateboards and administrators.

“We just want to give prospective riders a chance,” Golemon said. “Other [college] campuses have large skateboarding communities.”