2008 Woodie Awards
Smoking policy revamped
Lisa Meagher
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: News
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The policy, which was introduced in fall of 2001 and has changed since last fall, began with smoke-free dorms and has progressed each semester with more smoke-free areas.
Campus Life felt it was important to clear the air from the main entrances of buildings and most public areas on campus.
Administration has progressed slowly to eliminate smoking, so as to not rush the policy and let the student body know of the changes along the way.
"I think it's hard for people to get used to, but it's more of a public health danger" said Anne Lundquist, Dean of Campus Life.
Guilford has a higher population of smokers than non-smokers.
Guilford's goal is not to be smoke-free, but rather a more air-friendly and safer environment in which to live. For the most part the changes are made, but there are still some questions and unfinished regulations regarding the policy.
"We did decide to allow Residence Life to work with students this spring to determine which entrances to Resident Hall Buildings would be smoking (or) smoke-free" said Lundquist via-email. "That is happening now and will go into place once settled."
Concerned about the safety and health issues for all students living in the dorms, Lundquist said there could and would be problems if a cigarette is left unattended in a dorm room, or if non-smokers are breathing second-hand smoke.
The two past surveys about cigarette smoking on campus helped administration figure out how and where the designated and non-smoking areas were to be.
These surveys asked questions about smoking areas, issues, preferences, suggestions, etc., and spawned a few community forums that discussed the issue.
The forums helped Campus Life implement the smoking gazebos and place urns where they were needed for the smokers.
"Having a designated space is helpful, like the gazebos," Lundquist said.
Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages and Division Director Hiroko Hirakawa said via e-mail, "As a smoker, I think it's good because I don't have to feel guilty about 'contaminating' the air for non-smokers as much as I used to."
