Security will not issue tickets to smokers
On July 1, USI will be one of the last Indiana campus’ to become tobacco-free.
Anyone wishing to use tobacco products will have to do so in the privacy of their vehicle. Smoking in housing will not change and continue to follow the current policy.
“Since we are the last public university to enforce a smoking ban, we were able to look at other universities and see what worked and what didn’t,” USI President Linda Bennett said.
According to Bennett, this policy has developed over time. There have been multiple conversations about banning smoking, and the policy emerged from collective discussions as well as students’ input.
“Students did surveys that revealed a strong support for the ban,” Mark Rozewski, vice president of finance and administration, said. “We get a lot of mixed opinions but students seem to be leaning towards the positive side.”
“I think the ban is pointless. People are going to smoke regardless of what they’re told,” said junior Savannah Maxey.
In an effort to make USI a cleaner, healthier university, programs will be available to help students, faculty and staff stop smoking.
Over the next eight months, smokers are encouraged to attend cessation programs, and look for other resources around Evansville to help them.
“I think the university’s proactive stance to help people stop smoking is going to help people start living a healthier lifestyle and make the campus that much better,” Steve Woodall, head of security said.
Enforcing this ban seems to be the most concern among students.
According to Woodall, there will be a campus-wide enforcement.
Supervisors and others will be designated by the university and will do the most enforcing.
Tickets will not be given, verbal warnings will be most common, but those who refuse to comply will be referred to the student affairs committee.
“I don’t see how they’re going to get people to stop if they don’t fine them,” said freshman Marissa Woschitz. “Verbal warnings aren’t going to do much.”
“It’s not our plan to fine people, we just want our university to be a healthy environment,” Bennett said. “I hope that all individuals embrace this new policy even if they don’t agree with it. It will make USI a better place to go to school.”