RHA passes resolution to ban smoking in dorm rooms

Kate Brand

dm senior Staff writer

The Residence Hall Association has passed a resolution to provide residence hall students with a smoke-free environment.

The resolution was approved last Thursday at a RHA general meeting, according to Mike Juhas, RHA president.

Juhas said the resolution was fostered by several complaints from non-smokers living in residence halls.

"Everyone's at risk with second-hand smoke," Juhas said, "We represent all students in this resolution."

Both smokers and non-smokers are targeted with this resolution.

The resolution states that smoking in residence halls with shared ventilation will not be permitted, but smoking in residence halls with unshared ventilation will be allowed.

The goal of this resolution is to represent all students living on campus. "Our purpose is to help both sides," Juhas said. " ... it's a compromise."

While the problems associated with second-hand smoke have been medically proven to be associated with fatal health problems, the rights of smokers cannot by ignored, according to Juhas.

"I think it's a really good idea," said Jennifer Richardson, a senior computer science major living in Falkner Hall.

"I totally agree with it even though I am a smoker," Richardson said.

"Not a lot of people knew about it to go and vote on the issue, though," she said.

One thing that concerns Richardson is the availability of rooms for smokers.

"They should be able to have enough to accommodate the number of on campus smokers," Richardson said.

The only dorms with unshared ventilation are Garland-Hedleston-Mayes (GHM), Deaton Hall and Howry-Falkner, according to Crosby Hall Director Mary Tillman.

GHM and Deaton are both freshman male dorms and Howry-Falkner is an upperclass residence hall with only private rooms, and accommodates approximately 40 to 50 students.

Elizabeth Hardin, a freshman psychology major living in Stewart, agreed with the resolution.

"I don't smoke," Hardin said, "and I really can't stand it; that's just my personal opinion."

James Jackson, a freshman pre-med biology major living in Stockard Hall, said, "It (the resolution) sounds good to me."

The resolution was designed to accommodate all students living on campus, Juhas said.

"It's our duty to represent all students on this issue who live on campus, " Juhas said.

"The resolution was designed to protect the students in shared ventilation halls from second-hand smoke," Juhas said, "At the same time it gives students who do smoke a voice."

According to Juhas, the resolution will be presented to Bill McCartney, Student Housing and Residence Life director, before it becomes a policy.