Controversy has been raised regarding Ball State University's slogan declaring itself a "smoke-free campus."
Ball State began producing and distributing pamphlets and signs announcing its smoke free status following the smoking ban that was implemented during Spring Semester.
For many students and faculty on campus, this declaration raises questions regarding whether this statement should be deemed as false advertising.
Richard Harris, former director of disabled student development, still comes on campus to play handball and attend events.
"Ball State isn't a smoke free campus and we shouldn't say that we are," he said. "I'm a lifelong non-smoker and am delighted at how our society has come together to protect non-smokers. The compromise was a good one, but Ball State should be precise in its language," Harris said.
Senior health science major Armin Nosic said he has a similar perspective.
"I'm not a smoker and I even voted for the ban, but I think the slogan is a lie," he said. "I know some universities in the area, like Anderson, that really are smoke free without designated areas."
Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs, chaired the task force for the smoking ban and made a formal recommendation to the president's cabinet regarding the subject.
Bales said the inspiration for the slogan was taken from the American Non-Smokers Rights Foundation. The foundation defines a smoke free area as being completely free of smoke or having designated areas.
"Our approach to the smoke free slogan is no different than any other smoke free organization's," she said. "Other businesses, universities and colleges were modeled when studying the guidelines for our smoke free policy."
Still, some students remain skeptical to the idea of limiting smoking to designated areas.
Sophomore nursing major Nicole Dillon voted against the ban last semester.
"If we have designated areas, we may as well let people walk around and smoke," she said. "Outside there really isn't anything separating the air in smoking areas from the rest of the air."
Despite these criticisms, Bales said that overall the ban has been well received. There are currently no plans to further limit the restraints of the ban, although designated areas will continue to be monitored on a continual basis, she said.
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