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Vol. 128, No. 18 Thursday, August 30, 2018
OPINION
SPORTS
ARTS & CULTURE
Millennials should vote unaffiliated
Cross Country on the rise
Mobile boutique rides into Fort Collins
page 10
page 15
page 22
A Colorado State University student relaxes in a hammock between two trees near the Oval Sunday afternoon. Hammocking and slacklining are prohibited on campus due to concerns over campus safety, University liability and property damage. PHOTO BY BROOKE BUCHAN COLLEGIAN
Old hammock, slackline ban sees new enforcement By Austin Fleskes & Natalia Sperry @CSUCollegian
Many Rams relax between classes by hammocking and slacklining on campus, but they may not realize they’re breaking Colorado State University policy. According to the campus facility procedure and policy manual, hammocks, along with slacklining, climbing trees and climbing or jumping on or from buildings and other structures is prohib-
ited on campus because of the concerns for safety of the campus community, University liability and property damage. Violators may be subject to warning, disciplinary action, fine or prosecution as appropriate, according to Facilities Management. Fred Haberecht, campus planner for Facilities Management, said the ban predates his 17-year career at CSU, but it has been enforced in recent months to ad-
dress changing trends on campus. “I think it probably starts out with a slackline ban,” Haberecht said. “I don’t think that complete ban in my time here (has) been a very big issue until the last couple years, especially with hammocks (and) the proliferation of (them) on campus.” Haberecht said the concern for campus arborists is tree damage to small, young trees, but it is a lesser concern for big trees. “There’s a concern from our
risk management folks through the department of health of liability of especially slacklining,” Haberecht said. “It’s both the risk to the folks and the adverse effect to our trees.” The University Facilities’ manual outlines that there are designated areas outside of the Westfall and Durward halls and the Corbett courtyard, where hammocks and slacklining are allowed. “That’s a relatively new thing.
It’s more that they have set up areas independent of trees to slackline,” Haberecht said. “Housing and Dining Services through residents saw the need to provide that.” Tom Cronk, a masters student, wrote in an email to The Collegian that in his time hammocking at CSU he had never been approached about the ban until recently.
see HAMMOCKS on page 4 >>