The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) is currently considering a proposal to allow some outdoor areas on campus to be designated as non-smoking. The issue, while not new, has been the focus of the past two SAC meetings, with discussion centering on the courtyard and the Forum of the Smith Campus Center. Specific proposed changes are being finalized and will be voted on as soon as possible.

Current policy prohibits smoking in all indoor spaces on campus with the exception of personal dorm rooms in dorms not designated as non-smoking. There is currently no clear language in any college policy regarding smoking in close proximity to buildings, nor is there any precise language dealing with the issue of second-hand smoke. While present policy does forbid smoking in "common areas," this designation has commonly been understood to mean indoor common areas.

The proposed changes consist mainly of the addition of "language indicating that smoking is not permitted anywhere–inside or out–if it results in second-hand smoke entering non-smoking areas," according to Assistant Professor of Biology Lenny Seligman, a member of SAC. "The new policy is meant to more effectively deal with the problem of second-hand smoke on campus," said Seligman, a proponent of the policy change. "It does not directly deal with smoking in the Campus Center Courtyard, although it certainly has implications for smoking there," stated Seligman.

Smoking in outdoor areas where smoke could easily enter inside first came before the SAC last year. Near the end of the spring 2000 semester, some Clark V residents complained that smoke from Social Room 1 (where smoking has always been prohibited but the policy rarely enforced) was entering their rooms on nights when fraternities held their socials.

When organizers were successful in convincing attendees to take it outside, complaints persisted because the smoke from compliant partygoers who congregated just above the social room still wafted into the Clark V rooms. No charges were pressed at that time, as there was no explicit language in any college policy dealing with the question of who bears the burden of responsibility for second-hand smoke.

Seligman "has been heading up a committee of one since last semester investigating the legal issues involved with second-hand smoke," said ASPC President Brian Andrews ’01. In Seligman’s opinion, "in cases involving a dispute over second-hand smoke, the burden is shifted somewhat from the non-smoker to the smoker. I believe this is fair, as well as more in line with California state law."

Smoking in the Campus Center Courtyard, however, is the aspect of the proposal eliciting the most debate. Gerard noted that "smoking on the courtyard has been a concern since the building opened. We have heard complaints from people eating outside that they don’t like the smoking, ashtrays, cigarette butts, etc. around when they eat."

Although the fate of the new policy lies in the hands of the SAC, the policy is non-specific–it would simply provide that outdoor areas could be designated as non-smoking as is deemed necessary. "Ultimately, it will be up to Neil Gerard and his staff to work out the details," said Seligman. Both Seligman and Gerard indicated that it is more likely that only part of the courtyard, such as the tables and directly in front of the building, will be designated as non-smoking, as well as the Forum (the stairway area outside of the ballroom) and the Ulf Walk.

Student response to the proposed changes has been mixed. "It’s no more of an infringement on the rights of smokers to say they’re not allowed to smoke in some areas of the courtyard than it is an infringement on the rights of non-smokers who have to breathe in the crap," said Andrew Jennings ’02. Liz Sumner ’02 disagrees: "I think it’s ridiculous that they’re trying to restrict smoking in outdoor, public places. It infringes on our freedom," she said.

Enforcement will likely prove to be the greatest challenge to the implementation of any new guidelines. "We do not have any nicotine police," said Gerard. "Enforcement will be based on people complying with the signage and responding to individual requests…students are frequently not comfortable asking others to change their behavior. Our hope is that if someone is smoking in an area where they shouldn’t, someone will ask them to move or extinguish."