01/23/2025
By Joanne Yestramski
Dear Campus Community,
Yesterday in one of our residence halls, a fire was caused by an eScooter that was charging. While we recognize the convenience of eScooters for many students, faculty and staff as a means of navigating our campus, the safety of our community remains our top priority.
Effective immediately, the charging and use of micromobility vehicles including eScooters will be prohibited in all campus buildings and structures, including residence halls. This excludes wheelchairs and accessible devices. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, but we believe this is a necessary interim measure to ensure the well-being of everyone on campus. The university is actively working to provide external charging options on each campus and will provide more details in the coming days.
To further address safety concerns related to micromobility vehicle use, we have formed a committee to review current practices and develop recommendations for a comprehensive campus policy, including guidelines for usage and charging. We will keep you informed of any updates or changes.
We are relieved to report that no injuries occurred as a result of today’s fire, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these initial guidelines.
Additionally, if you currently have an eScooter or bike on campus, we encourage you to register it online.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please send any questions to student_affairs@uml.edu.