Spring is in the air, and the change in seasons means a shift in extracurricular activities at Seton Hill University (SHU).
While frantically searching for a space to park in Lot A recently, I heard the familiar sounds of skateboard wheels gracing the pavement. I instantly became tense at the thought of trying to maneuver around skateboarders, aside from pedestrians who sometimes seem to appear out of thin air, and maniac drivers searching for the same ever elusive Lot A spot. This semester marks my fourth year at SHU, and skateboarding on campus, to my knowledge, is a relatively new pastime as of last spring.
By Stormy Knight,
Editor-In-Chief
Spring is in the air, and the change in seasons means a shift in extracurricular activities at Seton Hill University (SHU).
While frantically searching for a space to park in Lot A recently, I heard the familiar sounds of skateboard wheels gracing the pavement. I instantly became tense at the thought of trying to maneuver around skateboarders, aside from pedestrians who sometimes seem to appear out of thin air, and maniac drivers searching for the same ever elusive Lot A spot. This semester marks my fourth year at SHU, and skateboarding on campus, to my knowledge, is a relatively new pastime as of last spring.
It’s not the act of skateboarding, or the personalities of skateboarders that bother me. In fact, this editorial is not meant to cut down skateboarders in any way. The only thing I have a problem with is skating in highly trafficked areas of Lot A.
It seems that every time I see skateboarders on campus, my foot is jamming the car break to the floor to avoid hitting them. The main problematic area for me is by the clock in Lot A, right where the parking lot bends. With vehicular blind spots, the fact that the stop sign set up in that area of Lot A is a bit dangerous in the first place, and cars whipping around that bend faster than necessary all the time, it is no place for skateboarders to be rolling about.
When I paid Mike Dell, chief of campus police, an impromptu visit to find out if the topic of skateboarding was even relevant to write about, I was surprised to learn that the university is already taking action concerning this issue. According to Dell, the university has been discussing this matter with the insurance company; however, many decisions need to be made by SHU faculty and staff before any concrete solution or compromise can be reached.
I am not the sole person concerned with this issue, I discovered. “We’ve had two meetings about it [skateboarding on campus] over spring break,” said Dell.
Dell added that he’s seen skateboarders around Brownlee, and even skating down the SHU drive.
I’m not opposed to skating on campus, but it is a serious safety issue for the skaters themselves as well as those sans board – particularly the drivers. It is also a liability issue for SHU.
A designated safe skate zone, or arranged shuttle trips to local skate parks are possible ways to provide skaters some sort of comfort in knowing that the opportunity to indulge in their adrenaline-packed passion is not being totally stripped away while classes are in session.
“Skating around school is always something convenient for everyone. When we skate at school, it’s usually because we have a free hour between classes and just want to relax. Every now and then you’ll bump into a friend while skating and get to kick it with them for awhile,” said David Cristello, a sophomore.
Cristello added that skateboarding brings diversity to campus by, “adding something new to the mix.”
He also said that skateboarding on campus will be one of his fondest memories.
“I understand the reasons for banning skating, but on the other hand, you’re destroying a completely creative, self-sufficient, enjoyable activity,” he said.
According to Cristello, skateboarding differs from most organized athletics because it’s not competitive, “its not about the team mentality. Its an escape for those looking for a positive retreat,” he said.
Until an official decision about skateboarding on campus is made, skaters and non-skaters will have to work to coexist in harmony – safely. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings, but a skateboard is a vehicle as well. Therefore skaters need to follow the same preventative measures as drivers.
“Most people are more afraid of skaters than vice versa. Honestly, we don’t skate just to be an inconvenience, so any trouble that falls upon the general public is accidental,” said Cristello.
Cristello added that the university has been very lenient concerning skating on campus.
“They could have potentially given us tickets and fines and so forth. They could have hassled us a lot more…I’ve only been told once or twice that we had to leave, which we did shortly thereafter. In this regard, I feel quite lucky to be a part of a university that treats skaters with empathy and respect,” he said.