Oswego State is one of over 30 college campuses and universities across the country that have banned the use and storage of hoverboards.

A little over a week before classes for the spring semester started, students were notified by various members of administration that starting on Jan. 18, hoverboards would be banned from residence halls. In addition to the ban from residence halls, hoverboards are not allowed to be used or charged in any academic building.

Dr. Richard Kolenda, the vice president of residence life and housing, sent a campus wide email to students on Jan. 13, telling them to leave their hoverboards at home. It was also stated in the email that if any hoverboards were found in residence halls after Jan. 18 they would be confiscated because they are considered a fire hazard, and that the hoverboards would not be returned.

The safety of hoverboards is becoming a nationwide problem due to the hoverboards being a fire hazard. Hoverboards have lithium-ion batteries that have caused at least 16 fires in the United States. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating approximately 22 fires, and 70 emergency room visits for burn injuries associated with hoverboard malfunctions. U.S. CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye released a statement on Dec. 16 regarding the safety of hoverboards.

“The challenge is to move quickly but also thoroughly and carefully to find out why certain hoverboards caught fire,” Kaye said. “Every consumer who is riding a hoverboard, who purchased one to give as a gift during the holidays, or who is thinking about buying one deserves to know if there is a safety defect.”

Nicholas A Lyons, the Vice President for Administration and Finance sent out another campus wide email to the students on Jan. 19 regarding hoverboards. In the email, Lyons stated that, “Hoverboards may not be operated or charged in any campus building. This is consistent with the college policy on skateboards, which may not be used indoors on campus.” He also re-stated that, “In addition, hoverboards are banned in the residence halls as a fire hazard.”

“Just like skateboards, they should only be allowed outdoors but in designated areas where there is no threat of a fire or the machine breaking down,” said freshman Jake Delia.

More than 60 airlines have banned hoverboards. In New York City, hoverboards are not allowed to be used on the sidewalks, and if you are caught using them, you could face a fine up to $200.

“I feel students should be allowed to ride them at their own discretion,” said freshman Derek Hempstead. “However, I understand why the administration decided to ban them because they are a fire hazard.”

Emil Erlandson, freshman, also agreed with Hempstead. “Hoverboards should be allowed,” he stated. “However, ride them at your own risk.”

Companies like Amazon are putting customer safety first and have begun taking action. Amazon is giving customers a full refund for their hoverboard purchases, until the root of the cause of hoverboard fires is discovered.

Opinions among students regarding the campus’ restrictions of hoverboards varied. Others believed that the restrictions were well administered.

“I think that if they’re unsafe, it should be common sense not to allow them on our campus,” said Elizabeth Andrews, freshman.

Freshman Julie Loney agreed and added, “Not only does the risk of injury affect the rider, but it effects other students as well because of the potential fire hazard.”