UNM debates skateboard ban

--Sunnie Redhouse

A UNM students skates in front of Carlisle Gymnasium.

Students voice their opinions on campus skateboarding

by SUNNIE REDHOUSE

When James Burbank makes his way to class he usually enjoys his walks near the duck pond.

That was not the case one afternoon, when a student on a skateboard ran into him.

Since the incident, Burbank, has drawn mixed reviews of a possible skateboard ban across The University of New Mexico’s campus.

“We need to come to some kind of consensus as how to handle this issue as a community,” said Burbank, a UNM lecturer II.

From skateboarders to university professors, Burbank has started a heated discussion in the university’s newspaper.

While some argue skateboards are a means of transportation, others consider it a danger to pedestrians.

UNM transfer student Lauren Abadie said the skateboard culture, among other cultures, was what attracted her to the campus.

“I saw people interacting and having a good time,” Abadie said.

Abadie said a ban on the skateboards would only open doors to banning other “distractions” like bicycles and cell phones.

“It’ll just lead to other things,” she said. “I think that it’s important that we enforce respect without having to ban skateboards.”

Adadie said the issue isn’t really about skateboarding but about the attitudes some bicyclist and/or skaters have.

“Everybody’s so self-centered,” Abadie said. “I realized that when I rode my bike through a crowd one day causing people to move.”

UNM student Law Chavez said skateboards on universities are not necessities, and therefore a ban wouldn’t be too much of a detriment.

“It’s just a toy,” Chavez said, “and you don’t have to bring it to school.”

Chavez said the university spends thousands of dollars on damage caused by skateboards and that the money could be used to keep them off sidewalks.

“I think we’re spending too much on that,” Chavez said. “They (UNM) should build a designated skateboarding area.”

In one of the many letters sent to the school newspapers editor, the school’s policy was stated: “According to the University Business Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 2260, ‘Individuals using bicycles, skates, skateboards and other non- motorized vehicles on campus must yield to pedestrians, use caution and exercise concern for the safety of self and others....'”

While some students like Chavez see little usefulness in having skateboards, students like Natalie Olson said a ban seems to be a little extreme.

Olson said she doesn't think the University or anyone else should take the freedom to skateboard away from skaters.

She said she disagrees with the idea that skateboards are toys and hold no use.

“They’re not toys and some people do use (skateboards) properly as a transportation device,” Olson said. “It’s a hobby to some people.”

Olson said putting a ban on the use of skateboards will only indicate to others that all skateboarders are at fault.

“It would be generalizing the population,” Olson said, “just because one skateboarder put skateboarders in a bad light.”

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