After a 45-minute debate, the RHA passed a resolution last night in support of a university-wide helmet requirement for motorized scooter riders but not for bicyclists.

The Residence Hall Association decided to weigh in on the possibility of enacting this policy after at least two scooter accidents occurred last semester; university departments and other voting bodies have previously discussed the issue.

The resolution to mandate helmets originally called for fines to be brought against those who neglected to wear them. But this sparked debate among RHA senators over how the program would be implemented because the organization would have to collaborate with University Police, the Department of Transportation Services and the University Senate to see the initiative through.

Ultimately, the body decided in a 27 to 5 vote to take out the details and add a statement to revisit the issue when it reconvenes in the fall, which the conflicting senators called a compromise. The provision that passed stated only that the body was in favor of a university-wide helmet policy for motorized scooter riders.

“I think the helmet resolution was really significant because it’s really good we take a preemptive stance on the issue and not wait until we have a serious injury to make a resolution,” RHA President-elect Corie Stretton said. “It’s good to be proactive for us. Now, the concerns on technical specifics have not been worked out, but it’s good we have a resolution as a foundation now that we can add details to later. Anything that could potentially save lives is a good thing to me.”

President Sam Lengyel said the resolution should not be supported unless the details of its implementation are hammered out first.

However, Casey Anis, student groups and organizations liaison, said the bill shouldn’t have been hotly debated.

“It’s a matter of basic safety,” he said in the midst of the debate. “It’s not that difficult — it’s a very, very easy safety precaution to take. Put the helmet on, and it could save your life. It’s like a seatbelt. If it’s a chance we have to make scooters safer on campus, why not pass it?”

But National Communications Coordinator Sean Collins said he’s against any regulation for scooter riders and vocalized his opinion at the meeting.

“People are stupider than you think,” he said. “If they are wearing a helmet, they will think they are indestructible. It’s going to harm more than it hurts.”

Some students think it is necessary for students to always wear helmets when riding scooters.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” senior psychology major Samantha Urda said. “If they are going to ride a scooter on a crowded campus, with hills, squirrels and students roaming around, they have got to be safe.”

Some student-athletes who ride scooters said they don’t wear helmets but can see why they should. Earlier this semester, Terrapin football coach Randy Edsall banned his players from owning and riding scooters.

“This year, a bunch of people got injured,” said sophomore letters and sciences major Christy Goldmann, a member of the women’s track and field team. “I know it would be good to wear helmets, but it’s just more of a hassle to bring to class and all. It’s not fun, but I guess safety first.”

“My mom actually bought me a helmet, and I just never wear it,” said freshman biology major Kristiana Person, who is also on the track and field team. “I just don’t see any reason. If they told us we had to, I probably would but can’t see too many people doing so.”

Freshman plant sciences and theater major Dwight Townsend-Gray, an RHA senator, said he personally knows offensive tackle Pete DeSouza — who sustained injuries from a scooter crash last semester — and is scared an accident like this could happen again.

“I’m a freshman now,” he said. “I don’t want be here as a senior voting on this issue because someone has died,” he said.

romas at umdbk dot com