Skating is the best way for me to collect my thoughts and relieve the stress of a hectic semester.

 I first became involved in skating when I rode one of my friend’s boards.

After riding, I decided it would be a more efficient way to travel, rather than the traditional one-two step.

About two weeks later, I purchased a skateboard from Wal-Mart.

I immediately began to work on maintaining my balance.

After perfecting my balance, I began skating to class everyday.

Skating became much better than walking.

As time went on, my skills improved and skating went from being a hobby to being a serious fascination.

Eventually the urge to go faster and do more tricks took over, so I decided to buy a long board.

Long boards are simply longer skateboards that go four times faster.

I began long boarding for several hours a day and practiced going down hills and sliding while going full speed.

Skating with a large group of my friends invited major attention, usually from campus police.

The more we would skate, the more they bothered us.

Most of the time we skate in the circle by the New Academic Classroom Building.

Anytime we skated in the area, campus police always reminded us we are not allowed to do tricks.

When we ask why, they said they do not want us damaging objects.

Even after we tell them that we do not jump on objects, they still tell us to leave.

They treat us as if we are doing something wrong, even when we are not bothering anyone and complying with the rules.

Their restrictions take away the enjoyment of skating.

Campus police officers are taking their jobs too seriously.

They need to relax and leave us alone, unless we break the rules.

Skating is what I enjoy doing in my free time, I should be able to enjoy it without the hassle from campus police.

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• Charles Davis, Contributor