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Printer-Friendly Mode'Shelters' possible solution to smoking issue
August 24, 2007 —
For SVSU's much-maligned smokers, the everyday activity of lighting up is about to change...again. The University is in the process of revising its on-campus smoking policy.
Currently, the Student Handbook states "...smoking will be permitted outside the buildings at least 25 feet away from any entrance, as long as smoke does not enter the building or affect those entering the building. Smokers are expected to keep smoking areas clean and to use appropriate receptacles to dispose of smoking materials."
Students have long suggested that the policy is neither followed nor enforced.
Sophomore and non-smoker Brian Puckett says that the policy is so ineffective that "...when coming out of buildings, I have to hold my breath while passing by and, even then, you smell like smoke when you're not even a smoker."
Non-smoking sophomore Rachel Markus says that the obvious solution is "...for students and faculty to step up and call the campus police when they see people smoking outside the doors."
Regular complaints from the campus body about the amount of smoke in the air suggest that this is not happening. The University has tried to find a solution, and several ideas emerged.
The administration suggests that one possible solution would be to construct smoking "shelters" and only allow smoking in the 10 designated shelters around campus or in the individuals' private vehicles. In addition to reducing secondhand smoke, SVSU hopes that the smoking shelters would alleviate the financial strain of smoking clean-up activities and reduce damage to facilities and furnishings.
The shelters would provide an alternative to disobeying the current policy in inclement weather as well.
"I try to be accommodating to non-smokers and attempt to follow the rules. This isn't always possible," junior and on-and-off smoker Weston Lindberg said. "Winter temperatures in Saginaw can approach dangerous lows. Standing in the rain is not comfortable and could lead to cold-weather injuries."
Some students, including junior and regular smoker Eric Franczak, have expressed concern over the financing of the project.
"The reason I disagree with SVSU's decision to build [smoking shelters] is that it's a waste of money," he said. "I'm sure they're not particularly expensive to build, but I just think it's a very unnecessary use of money, especially as tuition is being raised due to budget cuts."
In response to this concern, Jan Poppe of University Communications explained that the smoking shelters are a capital expense and included in a different budget than the one in which tuition was affected.
The administration has postponed taking action, as it would like campus-wide discussion, feedback, and alternative ideas. From August 27 through Sept. 10, a Web-based message board will be provided through the University home page (www.svsu.edu) and public forums will be scheduled during this time frame.
A final decision on a new policy will be made in the fall semester upon reflection of the campus body input.