By: Breyona Padgett, Contributing Writer
Photo by Breyona Padgett

The university scene is buzzing with excitement as South Alabama leads the way with a thrilling new initiative to amp up campus mobility and sustainability! Enter the electric scooter charging stations—your ticket to zipping around campus in style while keeping things eco-friendly.

As scooters grew in popularity, it became clear that students needed a safe place to charge them. Jeremy Sheffield, the Executive Director of Housing at the University of South Alabama, realized that storing scooters indoors was a no-go due to safety risks like blocked exits. While these speedy rides are a campus favorite, their lithium-ion batteries are volatile, sometimes overheating and in rare cases even causing fires. So naturally, Sheffield rolled up his sleeves and set out to create a safer, smarter solution.

Voila! The solar-powered charging stations were born. Not only do they provide a safe spot to juice up your ride, but they also reflect the university’s commitment to sustainability. Sure, the initial cost was a bit higher, but prioritizing student safety and eco-friendly practices is invaluable. The first two stations—strategically located behind Azalea Hall and at the Student Center—have already become campus hotspots, and even more are on the horizon! By fall, you will find new stations popping up in front of Camellia and Stokes Halls.

Sheffield has big plans! He is on a mission to expand the charging network, and he is carefully calculating where to put them. He has been chatting with students, exploring campus, and taking notes on where everyone scoots around. Each station features solar panels that charge a large battery, cutting down on grid power and contributing to long-term sustainability goals. Plus, safety is paramount—Sheffield teamed up with Enerfusion, a Michigan-based company, to ensure everything is set up properly and safely.

Although Sheffield has yet to receive formal feedback from the campus community, the early signs have been positive. He notes that the stations are being used frequently, and while there has not yet been a formal survey response, he remains open to hearing directly from students about how the stations are meeting their needs. For those looking to provide input, Sheffield has made a feedback form available. Students can share their experiences, opinions on the charging stations, and any suggestions for improvement by accessing the form here.

As the initiative continues to grow, the university is also reminding students to familiarize themselves with the safety policies surrounding electric scooters. A comprehensive set of guidelines is available through the university’s policy library, which includes important rules about the safe operation of scooters on campus. These policies are designed to ensure that scooters are used safely and responsibly, promoting a secure and accessible environment for all students.

With the ongoing success of the charging stations, South Alabama is setting the standard for sustainable, innovative mobility solutions on college campuses. By embracing this initiative, the university is not only enhancing the student experience but also paving the way for a more sustainable future, one solar-powered scooter at a time.