With growing threats of prohibiting smoking in many places around the Dallas area, the students and faculty of Texas A&M University-Commerce could have some of their personal rights taken away.
Though smoking is harmful to people’s health, many still take up the habit. Smokers and non-smokers alike have their rights, opinions and beliefs on the matter.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it, as long as it’s outside, it doesn’t bother me,” George Swindell, freshman, physics and psychology major, said. “If it’s outside, no one is forcing you to walk through the smoke cloud.”
A&M-Commerce Vice President of Business and Administration, Bob Brown, currently heads the department that puts these policies and guidelines into effect.
“There are three pieces to our guidelines. Regulation changes, enforcement and the management of the smokers and non-smokers,” Brown said.
One common problem area students often find within the A&M-C campus is the growing congestion in the breezeway; as well as the area directly around the coffee shop, located between the Student Services building and the James Gee Library.
Although Brown tries to keep the students health in perspective, he still has to follow regulations.
Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls, offices, classrooms, inside common areas, enclosed or partially enclosed public areas, doorways, breezeways, entrances, foyers and other high traffic areas.
There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule. The walkway between the McDowell Administration Building and the library is one.
“It’s just one of those places that meet compliance and people have to walk through it,” Brown said.
Others include the front of the student services building and the walking mall stretching from the Charles J. Austin Industrial Engineering and Technology/Agriculture Sciences Building to the Journalism Building.
Designated smoking areas are signified by ashtrays, otherwise smokers are not confined to specific areas.
Smokers are, however, prohibited from smoking in certain areas. There are signs posted and campus security will remind anyone inside these areas of the rules.
Ashtrays are generally away from the buildings and congested areas.
“Unless moved by smokers, sometimes due to weather, they are supposed to be so far away from buildings.” Brown said.
Holding his position for almost three years now, Brown has yet to see any real problems arise from the regulations.
“There’s never been an organized opposition,” Brown said “Students have been very compliant. It’s better because we are dealing with educated and reasonable people.”
When dealing with the health and welfare of the students, the administration must regulate what is in the greater good for the entire student body.
“I think the university has taken reasonable accommodations,” Brown said. “There is information available through health services.”