New smoking policy's effects remain cloudy
Shannon Holfoth
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The new smoking policy, which requires smokers to stay 30 feet away from campus building entrances, has generated both criticism and support from the faculty and student body. Most people recognize the policy as a good idea, but some argue the university's plan to enforce the policy won't work.
Despite the new policy, the location of several ashtrays around campus do not encourage smokers to remain 30 feet from the buildings. An ashtray in front of the Reilly Center is just off the porch and approximately 12 feet from the doorway. Falconio and Loughlen halls also have ashtrays 12 feet from the doorways. Two in front of Doyle and Robinson halls measure about 17 feet away. One located at Robinson by the door to Security Services and Clare College offices is only about four feet away from the building.
Some students said they agree with the concept of the rule.
"It's a good idea," Jim Gifford, a sophomore resident of Devereux Hall, said. "It's unfair for people who live near those doorways who can't open their windows without smoke coming in because of the kids smoking outside."
Gifford added that he hasn't noticed a big change in where people smoke. "Most people ignore it," he said.
Freshman Trisha Williams agreed. "At Shay/Lo, people still sit in front of the building, and if not they go out to those random fire exit doors to smoke," she said.
"Most people haven't changed their habits because they know they probably won't get caught," freshman Caitlin Hoffman said. The rule is not well enforced, she said.
"It's not going to work," Gifford said about the idea of students and faculty being responsible for reporting violators. "I wouldn't report anyone," he said.
Others believe the smokers to be very compliant with the new rule. "Most of the smokers (at Shay/Lo) have been going down to the sidewalk leading to the front parking lot or down to the quad area," Chris Brown, resident director of Shay/Lo, said.
The area around Plassmann Hall has seen a big change. Neil Carter, associate professor of political science, said he has noticed a huge improvement around the doorways. He believes the signs and policy have been effective in that area, and that it is a good policy.
Whether it is because smokers have been generally compliant or because no one will report them, Security Services has not received any complaints of violations, as of Thursday morning.
Security Services employees seemed unsure of the university policy for enforcement of the rule. Security only acts as an intermediary rather than a direct enforcer of the policy.
"If we do (receive reports), what we do is send it to a supervisor if it's an employee, and if it's a student we send it to their resident director," Joe Becker, assistant director of security services, said.
Brown said the only enforcement that has been necessary is to remind smokers who violate the rule that the policy has changed. He believes the policy is a simple courtesy and a good idea. "(The policy) only makes sense. It's the last thing (people) would want to walk through coming into a building."
Despite the new policy, the location of several ashtrays around campus do not encourage smokers to remain 30 feet from the buildings. An ashtray in front of the Reilly Center is just off the porch and approximately 12 feet from the doorway. Falconio and Loughlen halls also have ashtrays 12 feet from the doorways. Two in front of Doyle and Robinson halls measure about 17 feet away. One located at Robinson by the door to Security Services and Clare College offices is only about four feet away from the building.
Some students said they agree with the concept of the rule.
"It's a good idea," Jim Gifford, a sophomore resident of Devereux Hall, said. "It's unfair for people who live near those doorways who can't open their windows without smoke coming in because of the kids smoking outside."
Gifford added that he hasn't noticed a big change in where people smoke. "Most people ignore it," he said.
Freshman Trisha Williams agreed. "At Shay/Lo, people still sit in front of the building, and if not they go out to those random fire exit doors to smoke," she said.
"Most people haven't changed their habits because they know they probably won't get caught," freshman Caitlin Hoffman said. The rule is not well enforced, she said.
"It's not going to work," Gifford said about the idea of students and faculty being responsible for reporting violators. "I wouldn't report anyone," he said.
Others believe the smokers to be very compliant with the new rule. "Most of the smokers (at Shay/Lo) have been going down to the sidewalk leading to the front parking lot or down to the quad area," Chris Brown, resident director of Shay/Lo, said.
The area around Plassmann Hall has seen a big change. Neil Carter, associate professor of political science, said he has noticed a huge improvement around the doorways. He believes the signs and policy have been effective in that area, and that it is a good policy.
Whether it is because smokers have been generally compliant or because no one will report them, Security Services has not received any complaints of violations, as of Thursday morning.
Security Services employees seemed unsure of the university policy for enforcement of the rule. Security only acts as an intermediary rather than a direct enforcer of the policy.
"If we do (receive reports), what we do is send it to a supervisor if it's an employee, and if it's a student we send it to their resident director," Joe Becker, assistant director of security services, said.
Brown said the only enforcement that has been necessary is to remind smokers who violate the rule that the policy has changed. He believes the policy is a simple courtesy and a good idea. "(The policy) only makes sense. It's the last thing (people) would want to walk through coming into a building."
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