Hoverboards, popularized by the likes of Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber and Soulja Boy, have now been banned at several Georgia schools, including the University of Georgia and Georgia State University, often out of safety concerns.
The University System of Georgia told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the presence of "self-balancing personal transportation devices" is being handled on a school-by-school basis, and no systemwide policy is forthcoming.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced in mid-December that its field of investigators would be examining what had caused hoverboard-related fires across the country. The commission also cited the fall risk as a concern.
In light of those, a growing number of Georgia's higher education institutions have opted to ban hoverboards on their campuses:
• Armstrong State University prohibits hoverboards from on-campus housing. Read more at WSAV.
• Augusta University prohibits the use, possession and storage of hoverboards or similar devices on university-owned property and in all facilities owned or operated by the university. Read more at the Augusta Chronicle.
• Columbus State University prohibits two-wheeled, motorized scooters on CSU's main and RiverPark campuses. Read more at the Ledger-Enquirer.
• Fort Valley State University prohibits electronic skateboards, self-balancing boards and scooters from all residence halls. Read more on the FVSU website.
• Georgia College prohibits self-balancing scooters like hoverboards, battery-operated scooters and hands-free segways on campus. Read more on the Georgia College website.
• Georgia Gwinnett College prohibits the use, possession or storage of hoverboards, Swagways or similar devices in all GGC buildings. Read more here.
• Georgia Southern University prohibits the use or storage of hoverboards on any property owned, leased or controlled by GSU, including residence halls, academic buildings and student services buildings. Read more on the GSU website.
• Georgia State University prohibits the use, possession or storage of hoverboards (self-balancing scooters, battery-operated scooters, hands-free Segways and other similar equipment) in university-owned or managed buildings, including residence and dining halls. Read more here.
• Georgia Tech advises against bringing hoverboards to campus and prohibits the devices from being operated, charged or stored in any campus building. Read more on the Georgia Tech website.
• Kennesaw State University prohibits the use and possession of hoverboards in all university buildings and grounds on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. Read more here.
• University of Georgia restricts the use of hoverboards. Students cannot ride them in residence halls, but can use them around the Athens campus. Learn more at Channel 2 Action News.
• University of North Georgia prohibits the use, possession or storage of hoverboards, Swagways or similar devices in all of its buildings. The school also cautioned against storing the items in vehicles. Read more here.
• Savannah College of Art and Design said it considers hoverboards to be in the same category as skateboards and bicycles, which cannot be used inside school or residential buildings.
In December, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines banned lithium battery-powered "self-balancing personal transportation devices" in carry-on and checked baggage.
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