At the end of 2019, concerns were raised about the smoking practices at Stevens, especially with regard to how well rules regarding smoking were being enforced. A major rule of note is written in the Student Handbook as, “smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of all campus buildings, including but not limited to individual offices and rooms; athletic and sporting facilities; spectator areas at outdoor university events; university-owned vehicles, shuttle buses and vans; dining, theaters and concert halls; partially enclosed areas, such as archways, weather-protected ramps and tents; and outdoor dining areas.” Numerous instances of smoking within 25 feet of buildings have been observed on campus grounds with no notable attempt at enforcing this policy by appropriate administrators and police who may be aware of this rule.
According to the NJ Smoke Free Air Act, enclosed indoor spaces must be smoke-free. Within the Student Handbook, it is emphasized that smoking within any campus facility or residence hall is prohibited, including the usage of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and bongs. Not part of the NJ Smoke Free Air Act, however, is the prohibition of smoking within 25 feet of a building. This is a Stevens policy added to the Student Handbook and expected to be followed by individuals on campus grounds.
With regard to the enforcement of this policy of not smoking within 25 feet of buildings, Marybeth Murphy, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, has stated that the “policy was initiated by Stevens and how that policy is enforced is up to Stevens.” To further discuss the concerns related to smoking and to help reduce the smoking on campus grounds, she has formed a Smoking Working Group.
The Smoking Working Group is composed of several faculty and staff members as well as members of the undergraduate and graduate student body. Members include Murphy, Dibyendu Sarkar, Faculty Senate Chair, Robert Maffia, Vice President for Facilities and Campus Operations, Edward Stukane, Vice President for Communications and Marketing, Eric Finkelstein, Assistant General Counsel, Warren Petty, Vice President for Human Resources, Timothy Griffin, Chief of Police, Nathalie Waite, Director of Graduate Student Life, Sara Klein, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Maggie Cunning, Director of Health Services, Gabrielle Guider, Health Educator and Case Manager, Michael Lucic, Vice President of the Graduate Council, Samantha Molla, President of the Undergraduate Student Government Association (SGA), and Adrian Castellanos, Vice President of the SGA.
As per Murphy, the goals of this group are to “develop a university wide smoking policy for students, employees, and visitors” and “recommend a communication plan, signage etc. [sic] and other means to enforce the policy.” They will also focus on creating campaigns promoting the quitting of smoking, including publicizing related resources, and figuring out ways to handle the litter and cigarette butts on campus.
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