April 14, 2005

Task force to tackle smoking policy issue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In response to the smoking policy recommended by the University Senate, Purdue President Martin C. Jischke has requested that Morgan Olsen, executive vice president and treasurer, appoint a task force to study the proposal.

In a letter to Olsen, Jischke assigns him with "responsibility for taking the Senate's recommendation under advisement, gathering additional information and input from all pertinent sectors of the campus community, and making a recommendation for a smoking control policy."

The president requests that the recommendation be submitted to him by June 30.

As it stands, the proposed policy forwarded by the Senate for Jischke's approval would prohibit smoking on the West Lafayette campus anywhere but in designated outside smoking areas that are no closer than 50 feet to individuals taking part in university-sanctioned outdoor events, outdoor seating facilities, air intakes or building entrances.

The policy does not state how many, where or what kind of structures might be built as designated smoking areas, which has drawn concern and criticism from some individuals and organizations on campus. Concern also has been expressed about the policy's lack of an enforcement plan.

In requesting Olsen lead the task force, Jischke asked that representatives be gathered from the areas of safety and security, physical facilities, the Student Health Center, University Senate, Purdue Student Government, Purdue Graduate Student Government and any other units or organizations Olsen deems appropriate.

"My goal is to develop for the West Lafayette campus a comprehensive smoking control policy that limits smoking to outdoor areas and protects non-smokers from the health hazards and discomfort of second-hand smoke," Jischke said. "The policy should not place unnecessary burdens on those people who choose to smoke and should take into account that students, faculty and staff may deal with this issue in differing ways."

Jischke requested that the final recommendation Olsen's task force study produces include a careful estimate of the total cost to the university of implementation, including enforcement, signage and any other estimated expenses.

Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Morgan Olsen, (765) 494-9706, mrolsen@purdue.edu

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