2008 Woodie Awards
U. Senate adopts smoke-free policy for Miami, both branch campuses
Cassidy Pazyniak
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Front Page
The standing regulation allowing students and staff of Miami University to smoke 25 feet outside of any building went up in smoke at the university senate meeting Monday.
Oxford, Hamilton, and Middletown campuses and any property owned by Miami will soon be smoke free.
As stated in Appendix E of the senate's new resolution, smoking will continue to be prohibited inside any building and in any vehicles owned, operated, or leased by Miami, and the sale or distribution of tobacco products is still prohibited in university facilities.
The most noticeable change, though, will only allow smoking on any public street or a public street's sidewalks. Due to the fact that there are no public streets on the Middletown campus, they will be considered an entirely smoke-free campus.
Jay Barden, senior building and grounds manager at Miami and the chair of the Smoking Policy Ad Hoc Committee, explained that the committee felt they had to be consistent across the board by not including any smoking areas on the campus.
When the question of whether Miami's campus in Luxembourg would be effected, Barden couldn't provide an answer.
"I'm not going to get into foreign policy," Barden said.
To make sure all individuals are aware of the new smoke-free campus policy, signs will be posted in visible locations.
The smoke-free campus provision will go into effect 12 months after approval from the president of the board of trustees, with the next scheduled meeting being April 27. The 12 months will be used mainly as a time to inform current residents of Miami of the change.
Barden expressed that because incoming first-year students will have made the conscious decision to attend Miami as a smoke-free campus, the university's focus during the 12 months won't be toward educating any new members of the community on the policy.
"(Incoming first-years) will know very clearly that we are a no smoking campus - we're more concerned with people already here knowing that we're changing the game," Barden said.
Oxford, Hamilton, and Middletown campuses and any property owned by Miami will soon be smoke free.
As stated in Appendix E of the senate's new resolution, smoking will continue to be prohibited inside any building and in any vehicles owned, operated, or leased by Miami, and the sale or distribution of tobacco products is still prohibited in university facilities.
The most noticeable change, though, will only allow smoking on any public street or a public street's sidewalks. Due to the fact that there are no public streets on the Middletown campus, they will be considered an entirely smoke-free campus.
Jay Barden, senior building and grounds manager at Miami and the chair of the Smoking Policy Ad Hoc Committee, explained that the committee felt they had to be consistent across the board by not including any smoking areas on the campus.
When the question of whether Miami's campus in Luxembourg would be effected, Barden couldn't provide an answer.
"I'm not going to get into foreign policy," Barden said.
To make sure all individuals are aware of the new smoke-free campus policy, signs will be posted in visible locations.
The smoke-free campus provision will go into effect 12 months after approval from the president of the board of trustees, with the next scheduled meeting being April 27. The 12 months will be used mainly as a time to inform current residents of Miami of the change.
Barden expressed that because incoming first-year students will have made the conscious decision to attend Miami as a smoke-free campus, the university's focus during the 12 months won't be toward educating any new members of the community on the policy.
"(Incoming first-years) will know very clearly that we are a no smoking campus - we're more concerned with people already here knowing that we're changing the game," Barden said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Tom
posted 4/24/07 @ 3:47 PM EST
I can't believe this policy. Isn't it enough that smokers already have to be 25 feet away from a building?
This policy does nothing but ostracize any smoker. (Continued…)
Megan
posted 4/24/07 @ 9:09 PM EST
I think this is great! I know I'm not the only person around campus who is "sick" of holding their breath. I'm so proud of Miami for taking this step to better our health. (Continued…)
Nathaniel Grove
posted 4/25/07 @ 11:26 AM EST
As one of the 29 senators to vote for this new smoking policy, I can tell you emphatically that it was not my intent to ostracize anyone. On the contrary, I was doing what I thought was best for the University community. (Continued…)
Traci Meadiws
posted 4/25/07 @ 1:47 PM EST
I am so thrilled about the smoke free policy. Anyone on campus knows that very few people stayed 25 feet away. As soon as it rains, everyone is right inside door entrances again. (Continued…)
angela
posted 4/25/07 @ 11:24 PM EST
I agree with Tom, i do feel like they are making smokers feel ostracized. All smokers know they need to quit, but its hard and some of us still smoke. (Continued…)
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