Though skateboarding has been banned at Penn State for 15 years, some students continue to question the fairness of the rule.

The rule prohibiting skateboards on campus was first drafted on July 16, 1987. The debate over the university policy has resurfaced, with some students once again complaining about the ban.

University policy SY16 states that bikes, roller skates, in-line skates, scooters and similar coasting devices are allowed on campus roadways, but the use of skateboards is completely prohibited.

Acrobatic stunts are also prohibited on campus. These are tricks when all wheels are elevated above the ground, and they are prohibited on all transportation mechanisms.

Curt Speaker, a biosafety officer for the university, said two reasons for the rule are liability claims and property damage.

Paul Ruskin, Office of Physical Plant spokesman, said the damage skateboards cause is considered a form of vandalism by the university. He said vandalism costs the university $10,000 a year.

Problems occurred a few years ago when benches were damaged by skateboards within a week of being installed, he said.

Speaker said acrobatic tricks, such as sliding down rails and steps and riding up on walls, also cause concrete and paint damage.

"It is difficult to differentiate between people who simply use it for transportation and those who perform tricks," Speaker said. "If we had assurance that students would use it only for transportation, then the university wouldn't have as much of a problem with it."

Penn State Police Services has reported problems in the past with people from town skating across the campus. Some of the popular places for skateboarders to practice tricks are on the steps and benches of Old Main and the Palmer Museum of Art, Speaker said. There is a concern over Penn State campus being used as a skate park, Speaker added.

Penn State Police Officer Randy Hoffman recognized students have concerns about freedom to do what they please with their leisure time. However, he said there are other concerns like collisions with pedestrians and personal injuries to the rider.

Some students argue that not all students use skateboards to perform acrobatic stunts.

"It's one of those deals that there were just enough idiots to ruin it for all," Hoffman said.

This ban of skateboard use has upset some students, such as Matthew Olsen (freshman-actuarial science), who enjoys the freedom of skateboarding for pleasure and as a means of transportation.

Olsen said the rule is unfair and discriminatory to skateboarders. He said some bike riders and in-line skaters are also known to do tricks.

"This is definitely unfair because if skateboards are banned, the bikes and roller blades should be banned, and that would be ludicrous," Olsen said.

However, Speaker said, for the most part roller blades and bikes are seen as vehicles for transportation. He added that the university doesn't see skateboards on the same level with bikes and in-line skates.