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The Guilfordian

The student news site of Guilford College

The Guilfordian

The student news site of Guilford College

The Guilfordian

Smoking Policy Changes Proposed

Upon receiving information about housing for next year, many students were upset to find that residential smoking policy is being changed.
Campus Life is currently sponsoring a proposal to change the current smoking policy of residential halls only. As proposed, the halls that will be smoke-free next year are Binford, English, Mary Hobbs, Milner, and Shore. Bryan, the Apartments, and Alternative Housing will decide on a unit-by-unit basis whether to allow smoking.
These buildings have better ventilation and a more contained living environment than other areas on campus, Campus Life said.
As for the other public buildings on campus, there will be no change from what is currently in place. The Underground will still be available as a smoker’s haven.
According to Joe Vereen, Assistant Dean for Campus Life, the main motivation for this change came as people in Campus Life noticed the number of other schools changing over to smoke-free campuses and resident halls. This, along with the lack of decent sprinkler systems and ventilation in some of the larger and older buildings, inspired Campus Life to conduct a survey among the student body during meal times from Feb. 25 to 27 and to research other colleges’ policies.
A total of 437 students filled out a survey over the course of three days; the survey was administered by RA’s and other student leaders involved with Campus Life. In a summary compiled by Vereen, a majority of the students said they did not want a smoke-free campus, but did prefer smoke-free residence halls.
The study of other colleges considered many different schools in three main groups: colleges in our tuition peer group, local and regional schools, and Quaker schools. Only two colleges had no restrictions on smoking on their campus.
Dean for Campus Life Anne Lundquist said that the policy for Bryan, the Apartments, and Alternative Housing would be a part of another decision including community living contracts. Similar to room-mate contracts, all the members of one suite, apartment, or house will need to discuss their feelings on all sorts of issues, including, but not limited to, smoking, drinking, visitors, and noise.
Lundquist expressed her understanding for the concern of outside-only smoking, stating that her staff will try to create areas outside with ashtrays and cover from rain so that smoker’s won’t be left without a decent place to smoke. She mentioned that while working at another institution, “we didn’t think about providing places outside for students to smoke. We know better now. This summer we’ll make sure that there are adequate spaces available to smokers.” She also mentioned that other changes to the public buildings’ smoking policy would be brought up during an upcoming meeting of deans and vice presidents. She welcomes any students with feelings on these issues to contact her or Vereen with comments, questions, and suggestions by e-mail or at her open office hours or Dining with Deans.
While many students have come out against the housing changes Cori Parmenter, a sophmore, said, “I think it’s a good idea. I don’t like smoke.”
First year Asa Fager disagrees. He says that these changes are “ridiculously unfair.” He worries about students not being consulted enouch about this change.
“Smokers should be able to make the decision themselves.”

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