2008 Woodie Awards
Hodge approves smoke-free campuses
Board of trustees to review policy change during Sept. 14 meeting
Laura Bryant, Megan Weiland and Laura Houser
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Front Page
President David Hodge said it's time for lights out: Miami's president announced via e-mail Monday that he supports the university joining the ranks of a few campuses nationwide to become a completely smoke-free environment.
The recommendation-which would increase the support system for faculty trying to quit without greatly increasing the standing student support system-still needs to outline certain provisions, such as enforcement of the potential ban.
"I am accepting the recommendation from the committee who did a lot of work looking to alternatives," Hodge said. "I went along with what they have done and will push that toward the board of trustees."
The president's recommendation will go to the board of trustees at their Sept. 14 meeting in the hopes of putting the ban into effect for the 2008-09 school year.
"I want to stress that it's not meant to be punitive," Hodge said. "This is about having a safe and healthy campus."
According to a report released in July 2007 by the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, Miami would be the third university in Ohio to completely ban smoking from its campuses, other than Circleville Bible College and Hocking College.
Miami has been smoke free in all public areas of buildings since 1993 and smoke free within 25 feet of residence halls, places of employment, university vehicles, and other buildings since
December 2006.
"We are trying to help people who want to quit smoking, quit smoking, and those who do not smoke to not interfere with those who chose not to," Hodge said.
According to the American Cancer Society, 28.5 percent of college students are current smokers. However, when students live in smoke-free environments (such as a smoke-free residence halls), they are 40 percent less likely to become smokers.
The university has not yet decided what areas would be designated public areas available for smokers, but Hodge's recommendation left Marcum Conference Center and the Miami Inn open to smoking. Due to debate at a university senate meeting on this so-called "hospitality exception" in April, university senate omitted reference to such in its original recommendation.
The recommendation-which would increase the support system for faculty trying to quit without greatly increasing the standing student support system-still needs to outline certain provisions, such as enforcement of the potential ban.
"I am accepting the recommendation from the committee who did a lot of work looking to alternatives," Hodge said. "I went along with what they have done and will push that toward the board of trustees."
The president's recommendation will go to the board of trustees at their Sept. 14 meeting in the hopes of putting the ban into effect for the 2008-09 school year.
"I want to stress that it's not meant to be punitive," Hodge said. "This is about having a safe and healthy campus."
According to a report released in July 2007 by the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, Miami would be the third university in Ohio to completely ban smoking from its campuses, other than Circleville Bible College and Hocking College.
Miami has been smoke free in all public areas of buildings since 1993 and smoke free within 25 feet of residence halls, places of employment, university vehicles, and other buildings since
December 2006.
"We are trying to help people who want to quit smoking, quit smoking, and those who do not smoke to not interfere with those who chose not to," Hodge said.
According to the American Cancer Society, 28.5 percent of college students are current smokers. However, when students live in smoke-free environments (such as a smoke-free residence halls), they are 40 percent less likely to become smokers.
The university has not yet decided what areas would be designated public areas available for smokers, but Hodge's recommendation left Marcum Conference Center and the Miami Inn open to smoking. Due to debate at a university senate meeting on this so-called "hospitality exception" in April, university senate omitted reference to such in its original recommendation.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Franklin
Franklin
posted 8/31/07 @ 1:23 PM EST
I think President Hodge should be required, in person, to tell a twenty-year custodial veteran that he/she cannot enjoy the simple pleasure of a cigarette after having cleaned vomit and waste from dorm room toilets. (Continued…)
Bill Steed
posted 9/05/07 @ 1:33 PM EST
Megan Weiland is such a great journalist and writer. Miami is fortunate to have such an articulate staff member
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