In a statement made by the Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services and the Department of Public Safety, Syracuse University is temporarily prohibiting the use of self-balancing motorized scooters, or hoverboards, after national research continues to identify growing concerns that the devices are prone to explosion and catching fire. More than 30 colleges and universities, as well as major airlines and public transportation departments across the nation, have already banned the boards from use.
In response to these safety concerns, the University is instituting a temporary ban on the possession, storage and/or use of hoverboards on University property, including in all University-owned or -controlled buildings, facilities, residence halls, South Campus apartments and other structures.
“There is mounting evidence supporting that hoverboards are prone to explosions, fires and pose a threat to consumers,” says Tony Callisto, senior vice president for safety and chief law enforcement officer. “The University has conducted a thorough analysis of the early research and has concluded that there exists a serious safety threat to our community. This is the responsible decision to keep our campus safe.”
The National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are continuing to investigate hazards associated with hoverboards. The University will continue to monitor that research and will revisit the hoverboard ban as needed.
According to the Syracuse University policy, first-time violators of the hoverboard policy will be issued a formal warning and given the opportunity to immediately remove the device from University property. Failure to remove a hoverboard from University property in a timely manner may result in confiscation of the device. Further penalties will apply to faculty, staff, students or visitors who do not comply with the policy.
Faculty, staff, or students who have questions about the ban on hoverboards should contact Chief Callisto at 315-443-5480 or acallist@syr.edu.
For most of his time as a public servant, Sean O’Keefe G’78 adhered to a few guiding principles: Step up when someone calls upon you to serve. Be open to anything. Challenge yourself. Those values helped O’Keefe navigate a career…
Jorge Morales ’26, a double major in history and anthropology in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a minor in English and textual studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the highly competitive…
Syracuse University and global esports and gaming organization Gen.G have opened general registration at campustakeover.gg for its first Campus Takeover Sept. 20-21. The two-day conference will bring students and administrators to Syracuse to highlight career opportunities within the esports industry…
For the first time in the 12-year history of the program, both nominees from the Whitman School of Management have been selected as recipients of the 2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship, a prestigious honor awarded to top-performing undergraduate women…
The Whitman School of Management’s Distinguished Professor Johan Wiklund was recently listed as one of the most prolific business and economic research scholars globally, according to “What We Know About the Science of Science in Business and Economics? Insights From…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
