Ball State University is one step closer to being a smoke-free campus.
In a press statement from President Jo Ann Gora, she said she approves of a smoking ban.
"Opinions were received from students, academic departments, administrative units, and the Parents Advisory Council - just to name a few," Gora said. "And in the end, the majority of the Ball State community wants a smoke-free campus, as demonstrated by the Staff Council and two-thirds of our students and our academic departments voting in favor of the measure."
The Smoke-Free Campus Implementation Task Force will meet to plan the implementation of the ban, according to the statement.
Communications manager Layne Cameron said the task force will present a recommendation to the president's cabinet on Dec. 1. The proposal will then move to the Board of Trustees, who will then pass or reject the ban.
Lisa Thomason, task force member and health educator, said a smoking ban would benefit students' health the most.
"We know second-hand smoke exposure is toxic," Thomason said. "If we eliminate smoke in the campus environment, it will be a healthier experience for everyone who walks on campus grounds."
Senior health science major Tara Presley said she was recommended to be on the task force and Gora sent her a letter asking if she would.
"[I was chosen because] I'm already a part of a Business Fellows team that's been trying to implement the policy since last year," Presley said. "I was a little surprised, but in a good way, that it happened this fast. I thought it'd take a couple years."
It is a public health issue that secondhand smoke kills, Presley said. Because of that reason, she said, she was surprised it happened this fast, but she was excited Gora was implementing a smoke-free campus to better the Ball State community for health reasons.
"There should be no exceptions to the rule, and Ball State should be fully smoke free," Presley said. "I know people have suggested designated smoking areas, but they don't even follow the 30-foot rule now.
"My suggestion, which other members will have to discuss, is we're going to have to come from the bottom up. Students will have to approach each other. It'll have to start with us for the time being and as students come in as freshmen, they will know the rule, and eventually the problem will lessen."
Student Government Association Treasurer Zac Davis also was asked to be on the task force by Gora and Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
"Of course with President Gora and Kay Bales asking, I said yes," he said. "I don't know if there was a particular reason [why I was chosen], but that's what happened."
He said he wanted to take the opportunity as a student representative to continue talking with students and make sure their voices are heard.
"Throughout the referendum students were coming to us and voicing their opinions, and we want to continue that," Davis said. "I'm not going to be the only one who thinks certain things or wants something done. I just want to make sure students' voices are heard, and since I'm a representative of SGA, I don't want to neglect any student voice. We want to continue to represent as many people as possible."
He said he agreed with Gora's decision to make a task force because it allows multiple people to have a say in the matter.
"Really, it's giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to discuss what's the best and it's not from the administration just saying this is what will happen and you'll deal with it," Davis said. "It's a more open, positive setting because we have representation from many areas and we can make decisions based on everyone's common interest."
Davis said SGA would continue keeping students informed about any decisions made regarding the smoking ban, and the goal was to keep an open dialogue.
Smoke-Free Campus Task Force members
- Kay Bales, vice president of student affairs
- Sandy Cameron, communications manager
- Jeff Clark, physiology and health science professor
- Rhonda Clark, police sergeant
- Kelsey Crim, student
- Zac Davis, student
- Alan Hargrave, associate vice president of student affairs
- Patty Hollingsworth, manager of health enhancement programs
- Jim McKenzie, physiology and health science professor
- Tom Morrison, associate vice president of business affairs
- Tara Presley, student
- Brien Smith, chairman of the marketing and management department
- Lisa Thomason, health educator
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