To be or not to be smoke free
Andy Macdonald
Issue date: 1/29/10 Section: News
The major hurdles the college faces are resolving the apparent conflict between public health concerns and smokers' rights, and addressing the potential backlash from neighbors if smokers choose to leave campus and smoke in the residential areas near the campus.
"If this does happen, I should think the college would be obligated to make an extra effort to keep the butts cleaned up around the perimeter of the campus. Guess I'd really need to hear more to form a solid opinion," said JT Dray, a resident near EvCC.
"Health is driving this discussion... (There's a) question of priorities, and where does the health of the campus fit," says Pat Sisneros, vice president of College Services.
An open campus forum is being planned that will give students a chance to voice their concerns or express their approval of the current rules. So far the student voice has only been heard through surveys and the ASB. Students should receive details on the forum in their campus e-mail.
The college hopes to reach a decision regarding going tobacco-free by the end of this quarter, but even if the result is to go tobacco-free, the decision will need to be approved by the Board of Trustees and the state.
"If this does happen, I should think the college would be obligated to make an extra effort to keep the butts cleaned up around the perimeter of the campus. Guess I'd really need to hear more to form a solid opinion," said JT Dray, a resident near EvCC.
"Health is driving this discussion... (There's a) question of priorities, and where does the health of the campus fit," says Pat Sisneros, vice president of College Services.
An open campus forum is being planned that will give students a chance to voice their concerns or express their approval of the current rules. So far the student voice has only been heard through surveys and the ASB. Students should receive details on the forum in their campus e-mail.
The college hopes to reach a decision regarding going tobacco-free by the end of this quarter, but even if the result is to go tobacco-free, the decision will need to be approved by the Board of Trustees and the state.
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