The Student Government Association at Shepherd University has caught on to the increasing trend of campuses becoming smoke-free environments and will host an open forum in October to discuss the issue.
According to Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, in the past two years the number of college and university campuses in the U.S. that have adopted a 100 percent smoke-free policy has increased from just 530 campuses to 1,178.
There has been no formal conversation about Shepherd University going smoke-free to date. However, the Student Government Association (SGA) plans to hold an open forum for students to discuss the issue. The SGA is planning on holding the forum on Monday, Oct. 14, but a location has yet to be selected.
President of SGA, Alana Gondeck, believes that non-smoking students should not have to walk through clouds of smoke on their way to class; although, she also believes “that smoking is a choice and it shouldn’t be taken away from students.” Gondeck’s preference is for Shepherd to assign a few designated smoking areas around campus. The location of these smoking areas would be something that is decided upon during open forums and SGA senate meetings.
Gondeck recognizes a smoking ban is an issue many students will have strong opinions about. She encourages students to come to the open forum and voice their opinions.
Jordan Clark, a Shepherd University psychology major, feels that if Shepherd University were to become a smoke-free campus it would be “violating our rights as adults.”
While Shepherd may just be in the very beginning stages of talking about going smoke-free or having smoking areas, three other universities in West Virginia have already gone smoke-free. West Virginia University, Marshall University, and West Liberty University have all adopted smoke-free policies.
Shepherd University graduate, Hannah Williams, who is now a graduate student at American University located in Washington, D.C., has recently experienced what many Shepherd students may also experience. American University has put into effect its own smoke-free policy just this year. Being a non-smoker, Hannah feels that “being on a smoke-free campus is quite nice.” She is aware the new policy may be a touchy subject for people who smoke; however, she tries to keep in mind that “these smoke-free policies stem from a health-conscious courtesy for faculty, staff and the student body.”
So whether you are a non-smoker who wishes to walk to class breathing smoke-free air or a smoker who wants to ensure that your rights won’t be taken away, your opinion on the issue can be heard at SGA’s open forum on Oct. 14.