Student Conduct Code Update Prohibiting Self-Balancing Scooters (Hoverboards)

January 8, 2016

A message from the Dean of Students:

 

Dear Students,

Welcome to Spring 2016! We are excited to have you back. I would like to start the semester with an announcement as well as an important reminder:

1. Effective Jan. 6, 2016, Georgia Southern University will prohibit self-balancing scooters, more popularly known as hoverboards, because of recent concerns by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the potential hazards these devices may cause on campus. Hoverboards include self-balancing scooters, battery-operated scooters, and hands-free segways. These items should not be used or stored on any property owned, leased, or controlled by Georgia Southern University. Specifically, hoverboards are banned in all Georgia Southern residence halls, academic buildings, and student services buildings. This restriction is covered by our Student Conduct Code (http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/conduct/files/Code-15-16-table-of-contents-hyperlink-final-for-Adobe-hyperlinks-9.1.15.pdf) under the following regulations:

a. Failure to Comply – “failing to follow established University policies or guidelines” (The Student Conduct Code, pg. 6, point 12)

b. Motorcycles, Mopeds, and Scooters- “storing or operating any motorzied vehicle within a residence hall, apartment/suite unit or patio/patio closets; parking any motorcycle, moped, scooter, or other motorized devices anywhere that is not a designated parking area.” (The Student Conduct Code, pg. 27, point 12)

2. This is a reminder that Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco-Free Campus. “The use of all forms of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented or belonging to Georgia Southern University, or in any way used by the University or its affiliates, is expressly prohibited. ‘Tobacco Products’ is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes” (The Student Conduct Code, pgs. 8-9, point 25).

In closing, I encourage you to reflect on our Georgia Southern V.A.L.U.E.S. as you approach Spring semester (https://students.georgiasouthern.edu/conduct/). Consider your personal safety and the safety of all Georgia Southern Eagles as you transition back to campus. Let’s have a great semester!

Dean Jackson