My purpose in writing is to remind everyone of College of DuPage Administrative Procedure No. 10-105 4. F.: “The use of bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, motorized skateboarded/scooters and other mechanical means of transportation are not allowed for use within College buildings. The only exception to this Board Policy and Administrative Procedure is the use of motorized carts by authorized individuals and employees when associated with their work assignment or classes.”

Last semester, a COD student was taken to a local hospital where a temporary cast was placed on her leg.  According to her statement to Police, she was on a friend’s “hoverboard for about two seconds when the board kicked up and she lost her balance.”  This accident occurred in the BIC where it meets the SSC, a very busy location.

With the increase in the number of skateboards and motorized skateboards/scooters, I thought worth reminding us all of this safety issue.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated at least 20 reports of hoverboard fires across more than a dozen states. The devices are reportedly prone to catch fire while charging or being used. Many airlines have also banned them.

“While the fire hazard has generated significant attention, I do not want to downplay the fall hazard,” CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye said in a December statement. “CPSC has received dozens of reports of injuries from hospital ERs that we have contracts with and they continue to feed us real-time data. Some of these injuries have been serious, including concussions, fractures, contusions/abrasions, and internal organ injuries…I am also concerned that there is no safety standard in place for hoverboards.  Strong safety standards protect consumers.”

In banning hoverboards within College buildings, College of DuPage joins a growing list of colleges and universities who have taken similar action.  They are, to date:

American University

Catholic University

George Mason University (residence halls)

George Washington University

Indiana University Bloomington

Louisiana State University

Loyola University Maryland

Manhattan College

Ohio State University (residence halls)

Sacred Heart University

Robert Morris University

Salve Regina University

University of Arkansas

University of Bridgeport

University of Findlay

University of Hartford (residence halls)

University of Illinois (residence halls)

University of New Haven

University of North Georgia

Vanderbilt University

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep the College of DuPage campus a safe and welcome environment.

Best Regards,

Earl E. Dowling

Vice President, Student Affairs

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd. l SSC 2207 l Glen Ellyn, IL  60137-6599