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The Student Senate opposed the recent campus-wide tobacco ban, but smokers are still in danger of losing their privileges.
Still in its early phases of development, the Tobacco Free Campus Committee (TFCC) is working on a decision for the university. In the long run, it is the administration that has the final say in the fate of campus smokers.
“Student Government’s opposition is merely a recommendation,” Sen. Christina Soyden said.
Smokers on campus face the possibility of joining the list of more than 60 universities that claim to be tobacco-free, including Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.
With smoking policies already implemented on campus, student senators said the rules need to be better enforced before any changes can be made. Currently, each building on campus is supposed to have at least one smoke-free entrance and no smoking is allowed within 20 feet of the building or ventilation system.
“Right now the problem is in the open – people are smoking in doorways, near windows. Try to ban smoking and the problem moves indoors, into less-patrolled locations and into more dangerous spaces. The university needs to enforce the policy they have already. Until they can do that, it is not practical to consider one more stringent,” said Vice President for Student Entertainment Derek Mitchell.
Problems with who would enforce these new policies are in question. The TFCC has proposed Student Affairs, Human Resources and event staff for public events as enforcers.
If the plan was put into action by the administration it would be a gradual shift that would lead to a tobacco-free campus. Student Government and the TFCC both support informational campaigns to raise awareness and give possible quitting assistance. In its preliminary phases, the TFCC is also looking into designating smoking areas on campus.
Student Government is attempting to stand for student rights. “While we recognize the health risks of smoking, we are looking to protect the rights of the entire student body. We feel that they are not effectively enforcing the current restrictions of distance from buildings in accordance with State Law,” said Vice President of the Student Body Steven Moran.
Currently, the TFCC is debating the time frame they have to enforce the mandate if it was to be put into action. Some feel it is too rapid and the campus should phase out to a completely tobacco-free environment and others feel it should continue at a swift pace to keep momentum. Currently, 2009 is the administration’s goal.
The committee is also discussing issues of concern such as the Greek communities and the implications of enforcing the ban in their area, people smoking inside and the need for education.
Members of the TFCC cited concerns such as health risks, general wellness, fire hazards, trash and litter on campus, secondhand smoke and reaching young smokers before they are addicted as their reasons for the ban.
Student Government agrees but said these problems can be solved with alternate resources. Still in the early phases of development, Student Government hopes to influence the committee and the administration in general.
“The Senate as student leaders passed this [opposition to smoking ban] after consulting constituents and believing that a larger percentage of the population was opposed to, or at least not in favor of, this type of a plan,” Moran said.
The Student Senate will meet with Dean of Students Robert Dana and Vice President for Administration and Finance Janet Waldron on Nov. 29 to discuss the administration’s future plans.
Bangor Daily News