Ball State University, IN Smoke-Free Campus

Type: Policy

Status: Effective 3/17/08

Source File: http://cms.bsu.edu/About/AdministrativeOffices/SmokefreeCampus/Policy.aspx

Text:

Ball State University continues to demonstrate a commitment to the health and wellness of its students, faculty, and staff as evidenced by the John and Janice Fisher Institute for Wellness, various wellness programs, employee health enhancement programs, and a number of curricula devoted to developing health and wellness professionals. Years of documented research has substantiated the health problems caused by both smoking and secondhand smoke. The State of Indiana adopted the Clean Indoor Air Law which is applicable to all state entities. The law sets forth minimum guidelines but allows state entities to adopt a more stringent policy if they desire. Therefore, Ball State University establishes the following smoking policy for all facilities, campus areas, and vehicles in which university functions or services are carried out or offered. All university students, employees, contractors, and visitors are subject to these regulations.

1. As used herein, “smoking” means the carrying or holding of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other lighted smoking equipment or the inhalation or exhalation of smoke from any lighted smoking instrument.

2. Smoking is prohibited in all university buildings and outdoor campus areas except for officially posted designated smoking areas.

3. Smoking is prohibited in all university vehicles, including maintenance vehicles, automobiles, and public carriers.

4. Smoking may be permitted:

A. In officially posted designated smoking areas.

B. In venues where artistic productions are held when it is called for by the director of a production. Smoking may be done only by the specified characters during rehearsals and performances. The appropriate department in charge of the production shall include notification that there will be smoking in the show. Smoking in the Green Room is prohibited.

C. In designated individual University Apartments as determined by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will make every effort to maintain separate smoking areas in the apartment complex, consistent with the need to provide housing for students.

5. While the responsibility for the enforcement and communication of this policy rests with all members of the university community, primary enforcement of this smoking policy will be the responsibility of those persons who head individual units, departments, buildings, student housing units, those who supervise personnel, public safety personnel, and others designated by the university.

A. Failure to comply with this policy shall result in a fine of $50.00 per occurrence.

B. The Office of Bursar will be responsible for fine collection and account maintenance. Monies collected from fine assessments will be used to fund smoking cessation initiatives, health education, and other relevant health and wellness related programs.

C. Citations may be appealed through the University Traffic Appeals Subcommittee. All appeals will be handled in a manner consistent with traffic appeal procedures.

D. Failure of a student or employee to pay a fine shall be subject to existing policies and procedures for collecting delinquent accounts owed the university.

E. In addition, under Indiana Code IC 16-41, 37-1, a person who smokes in a university building where smoking is prohibited commits a Class B infraction, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

This smoking policy shall be effective March 17, 2008.