Where there's smoke ... there's discussion
Questions about proposed revisions to BU's smoking policy during the Wednesday, Jan. 30, meeting of the University Forum focused on enforcement, penalties and whether a smoke-free campus is on the horizon.
Vince Diloretto of the General Administration Committee said the main change to PRP 5253 would prohibit smoking in the academic quad area, specifically listing "areas contiguous to the following buildings: Waller, Andruss, Centennial, Sutliff, Hartline, Warren SSC, Bakeless and McCormick."
In response to questions about enforcement for students, Richard Rugen, vice president for administration and finance, said, "Smoke-free campuses rely on student cooperation. The idea is for students to discuss possible sanctions." Before the second reading, the policy will be updated to indicate that it applies to all individuals on BU's campus - faculty, staff, students and visitors.
The original policy, which dates to 1990, prohibits smoking in all buildings and facilities and all areas within 25 feet of building entrances and heating ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Also during the meeting:
- Changes were adopted during the second reading of revisions to the governance document. The key revisions are changes to department names and titles.
- Richard Baker, chair of the Middle States Steering Committee, apologized for flaws in an online survey sent to the campus community earlier this week. A corrected version that will work for staff members will be sent out Friday, Feb. 1.
- James Matta, assistant vice president and dean of graduate studies and research, introduced changes to evaluation criteria for the Margin of Excellence projects. A total of $25,000 has been committed to the competition for 2008-09 and funding for individual projects may range from $10,000 to $25,000.
- Michael Coffta, chair of the forum, said PennDOT is investigating whether to post a pedestrian crossing sign and remove one or two metered spaces along Second Street near Elwell Hall and Scranton Commons. PennDOT is expected to make recommendations to Town of Bloomsburg within the next two weeks.
- President David Soltz introduced himself to the group.