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Policy Number: 9.12.8
Effective Date: March 14, 2023
Revision History: May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: AVP Operations/Chief of Police
I. Purpose and Policy Statement
Georgia Gwinnett College has a responsibility to prevent and deter behaviors that are likely to cause personal injury, property damage, and/or disrupt College operations. This policy bans reckless skateboarding and bicycle use that endangers safety and College property, or threatens normal campus activities. Skateboarding and bicycling are not crimes. However, actions that may endanger oneself or other individuals, damage property, or disrupt the mission of the College are considered to be harmless activities. The use of skateboards, scooters, roller skates/ blades, and bicycles is not permitted in any building on GGC property unless authorized by the Office of Public Safety. The Office of Public Safety is responsible for the safe operation of the campus and may adopt rules or regulations to restrict or specify the conditions for, the use of bicycles, motorized bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates/blades on campus.
II. Scope
All faculty, staff, students and visitors to Georgia Gwinnett College are expected to adhere to this policy and the applicable procedures. All have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community. Effective implementation depends on the respect and cooperation of all members of the College community.
III. Definitions
Reckless Skateboarding/Bicycle Use: In the context of this policy, Reckless Skateboarding/Bicycle Use refers to the use of any wheeled vehicle or device in a manner that endangers public safety, threatens College property, or disrupts College operations. This use includes, but is not limited to, maneuvers that are aerial or that transition from campus walkways onto stairs, curbs, benches, rails, seating areas, or vice versa, as well as from or to any other elevated constructs. It also includes using skateboards, scooters, roller skates/ blades, and bicycles in ways that clearly create unsafe conditions (e.g., traveling at unsafe speeds, traversing downhill with no method of stopping, etc.).
IV. Restrictions on Hoverboards
Due to fire concerns surrounding Hoverboards, GGC has chosen to prohibit the use, possession, or storage of Hoverboards, Segways, or similar devices in all GGC buildings. This includes, but is not limited to residence halls, classroom buildings, administration buildings, and indoor recreational facilities. Residential students who own Hoverboards and similar devices shall not bring them to campus due to fire concerns regarding the batteries that operate the boards. Although not prohibited, GGC strongly cautions against storing these products in vehicles.
V. Responsibilities
All students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors are required to use wheeled vehicles in a manner that is safe, respects the rights of others, and adheres to applicable Georgia statutes and other related campus policies. Moreover, the reckless use of skateboards and bicycles, as defined in this policy, is not permitted. Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks in the interior of campus. Those individuals using wheeled vehicles are encouraged to walk their wheels in areas of campus where there is high pedestrian traffic, if able.
VI. Enforcement
Campus Police are solely charged with the enforcement of this policy by preventing or stopping individuals who are engaged in reckless skateboarding and bicycling activities, as defined in this policy. Campus Police may refer Georgia Gwinnett College student violators to Student Integrity, and in the case of Georgia Gwinnett College faculty and staff, to the appropriate Dean or Department Head. In accordance with O.C.G.A. 16-11-35, Campus Police may advise those not affiliated with Georgia Gwinnett College to leave the campus.
For comments or questions regarding this policy, members of the campus community and the community at large are encouraged to call Campus Police at 678-407-5333 for more information.
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