Dear Campus Community,
Effective immediately, the university is banning all hoverboards and similar types of electronic skateboards from all campus buildings due to the danger of fire and injury from the devices. The ban includes all housing and athletic facilities and all UO buildings in Portland and other areas.
This action is being taken to protect the campus community while federal officials continue an investigation into the safety of these devices. Fires resulting in injury and extensive property damage have been reported around the country and the world after the devices have overheated during recharging, and the university wants to ensure that the campus community is safe.
The ban does not affect any mobility or accessibility devices that are not recreational in nature.
Students living in residence halls who cannot immediately remove their hoverboards from campus will be able to store them until they can be moved. The university will provide a secure storage facility that has fire marshal approval for that use. Students who wish to use the storage area must first drain and remove the battery.
The federal Consumer Products Safety Commission is currently investigating the safety of hoverboard devices. If future improvements in the product allow them to be used and recharged without danger to individuals or property, the university will reconsider the ban.
Please direct any questions about the ban to me, the university fire marshal, appropriate department head, supervisor or resident assistant.
Thank you,
Krista Dillon, director, Emergency Management and Fire Prevention |
