2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsSkateboards not allowed
Ashley Bath
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Features
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The Skateboarding, In-Line Skating and Rollerblading Policy said that skateboarding is completely prohibited anywhere on campus, while in-line skating and rollerblading are permitted with certain restrictions.
Members of the Safety and Transportation Department and Springfield Police Dep-artment enforce the policy.
Anyone caught skateboarding will receive a verbal warning on their first offense, followed by a ticket and possible prosecution if caught repeatedly.
Members of the Safety and Transportation Department said safety, property and liability issues are the reasons behind such a strict policy.
They said skateboarders, especially when attempting "tricks," pose safety hazards to themselves and other pedestrians. Such liability for any accidents is not something Missouri State wants to be a part of, not to mention the sidewalks, railings and other Missouri State property take quite a beating from it.
In 2005 the Student Government Association made legislation to amend the policy on skateboarding allowing longboards, skateboards long-er than 32 inches, to be permitted on campus.
The legislation was passed within SGA, but turned down by the Board of Governors. This decision still holds a bit of controversy today with some skateboarders and students.
"Personally, I can see why skateboards are banned," Dustin Crooks, a former Missouri State student said. "They scratch up things, but longboards can't really do tricks and I don't see why they aren't allowed."
Other students are happy about the no skateboarding policy.
"I'm glad they aren't allowed on campus," sophomore Sarah Buchschacher said. They are unsafe to be around. One skateboarder fell down right in front of me. I stepped around him and called campus security to have him removed."
According to the Springfield City ordinance skateboarding, among other "toy vehicles" are not allowed on streets except to cross them. There are certain designated "play" streets that should allow skateboards, but for the majority they are prohibited.
However, one place that is completely legal to skateboard is the Springfield Skatepark, located at 945 West Meadowmere St. This establishment offers open skating, in-line skating and biking Tuesdays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with classes and other events on weekends. For more information visit their website at www.sk8springfield.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Andrew Nelson
posted 9/18/07 @ 10:28 AM CST
I am not a skateboarder but this campus needs more skaters, this university needs to lighten up, who cares if skateboarders skate here? I want to see some crazy tricks on my way to class! This university is just too damn conservative and stuck up to realize skateboarding is an expression of freedom, also if the university did know anything about skateboarding they would know that once you make an area off limits, that just makes it more awesome, exciting, and dangerous. (Continued…)
Megan
posted 9/18/07 @ 10:36 PM CST
Sarah...wow. "Unsafe to be around" because one fell down in front of you? Oh, the danger! I agree that they shouldn't be able to do tricks everywhere, but skateboarding as a mode of transportation should be allowed! If we are going to go by that logic that it's "dangerous", then I'm pretty sure biking shouldn't be allowed because I get nearly hit by bikers all the time. (Continued…)
chelsea neameyer
posted 11/05/08 @ 4:05 PM CST
skateboarding should be allowed in most places because most skateboarders (like me) are very fun to ride most people say that because they just can't ride them. (Continued…)
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