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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

US college says outdoors too risky for outdoors club [bbc.com]

A university in the US state of Pennsylvania has ruled its Outing Club's activities too risky to continue. Pennsylvania State risk assessment officials said events like hiking, running and backpacking were too dangerous for a student group.

The 98-year-old club is one of three that will allegedly be disbanded from next semester as a result. In a post on Facebook, the club said its community "is not going anywhere."

The decision came after a two-month review process, but the students say they were not consulted. "Safety is a legitimate concern, but it wasn't an open dialogue," Outing Club president Richard Waltz told local media.

A spokeswoman said in a statement that the school's assessment was not based on prior injuries, but because the club's activities occur in dangerous, remote environments. The 169-member club is one of three that have been ordered to cease activities as a result: the caving club and scuba club have also been deemed unsafe.

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