Ball State’s Board of Trustees is considering a policy that would eliminate smoking sections and ban all tobacco products from campus.
Vice President of Student Affairs Kay Bales recommended a tobacco-free policy to the board Friday that would be effective as of Aug. 1 if passed.
The board discussed topics such as the tobacco-free policy, a partnership with General Motors and the Intellectual Property policy at the meeting.
The task force that recommended the tobacco-free policy, led by Bales, said it believes the ban would help lower health care costs, which are $1,700 higher for tobacco users, and prepare students for future employment.
The policy would ban students, faculty and staff from smoking on school grounds, eliminating the designated smoking areas around campus.
Two-thirds of students, faculty and staff polled said they would prefer a smoke-free campus, according to a survey conducted by the university in 2007.
Sixteen percent of respondents said they have used tobacco products in the past 30 days, making them the hardest hit by any regulations banning tobacco use.
President Jo Ann Gora said she wants to build on the current policy of having designated smoke areas on campus.
The proposed plan bans all tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes, making Ball State more than a “smoke-free zone.”
The task force also wants to increase the fine for smoking outside of designated areas from $50 to $100.
At least 200 smoking citations have been written since the 2007 plan was enacted.
The board also approved a residence hall and dining budget of $69 million and updated Athletic Progress Rate scores.
The new residence hall and dining budget will cost students 1.9 percent more than the 2012-13 budget, while students new to signing a contract will see a 2.35 percent increase from last year.
Athletic director Bill Scholl presented Ball State’s APR scores and said no team has dropped below the 930 sanction line in the most recent 4-year rate.
The Ball State football team also recorded its highest APR rate in the past three years.
Gora also mentioned a perspective partnership with General Motors that would fund a study on the sale of certified carbon emissions.
