Mississippi State University students will now have to keep their Marty McFly moves outside due to policy instated Monday banning hoverboards from campus buildings.
The ban, effective immediately, was passed by the MSU executive council due to safety concerns regarding reports of spontaneous fires and injuries related to the devices, according to MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter. It joins the prohibition of the popular, self-balancing boards in residence halls, which was enacted ealier this month. There had not yet been any reports of fires or injuries caused by the devices at MSU, Salter said.
“(The policy was inspired by) just events around the country. The proliferations of spontaneous combustion and other fire hazards,” Salter said. “There’s just too many students and other hazards to introduce another into the mix.”
Hoverboards join a list of other prohibited wheeled items inside campus buildings, including bicycles and skateboards.
Those caught violating the new policy will be dealt with on an individual basis by the university, following already existing procedure for possession of contraband, Salter added.
MSU joins dozens of other universities throughout the country who have recently instituted similar bans or restrictions.
Sam Luvisi is news editor and covers education for The Dispatch.
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