Officials alter smoking policy
No more "smokers' circle"
by Maeve Dwyer l Contributor
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
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For the last couple of years the areas in which students could smoke have become increasingly restrictive. As it stands currently, students and staff are allowed to smoke by the benches in front
of the library, the gazebo, behind the Daniel Arts Center and on the Pibly House Green.
The first smoking infraction will be considered a warning and carry no penalty, the second will cost $50, and every one after that will take $100 out of one's pocket, along with 10 hours of one's time.
When asked why students are no longer able to smoke in the "smokers' circle," Bob Graves said that he didn't want the space being dominated by smoking.
Graves had been receiving complaints of smoke and noise drifting into Crosby House, especially at night. He also felt as though having the "smokers' circle" in front of the tri-dorm area seemed to be promoting smoking.
Graves says he hopes that by eliminating smoking from the tri-dorm area, there will be a smaller number of freshmen picking up the habit.
Graves says he came up with the idea for a gazebo as a compromise with the smokers. He believes the smokers deserved a covered space.
Graves would also like to see a gazebo in back of the library to prevent non-smokers from having to walk through smoke to enter in the front of the building, but he says that is "not up to me."
Simon's Rock is not the only campus restricting smoking. According to Graves, many other schools are eliminating or restricting it; campuses whose student body contains mostly students over the age of 18.
21-year-olds aren't allowed to have alcohol on campus, either, and, being a private
institution, Simon's Rock may set its own rules.
To the 18-year-old smokers, Graves states, "it's not about your age. We're all one community. It's about the non-smokers and what we do as a community to address this issue. As an institution that cares about being cutting edge," Graves says, "I feel like we're behind the curve when it comes to this."
Students may have heard rumors of a "4-year plan" to phase out smoking on campus. For those students worrying that rules will soon force them to sneak into the woods for a cigarette, relax for the time being. As of now, there is no plan.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Andre Diehl
posted 9/06/08 @ 1:50 PM EST
I wholeheartedly agree with Alice's comment and find Bennett's to be unfounded. At the same time, I'd like to add that I believe that this smoking policy is isolating the classes. (Continued…)
Faine
posted 9/07/08 @ 7:03 PM EST
Sigh. And Simon's Rock's cultural heritage is further eroded. I don't even smoke and pretty much all of my happiest memories of the Rock involve hanging out at the Smokers Circle at unfashionably late hours of the evening. (Continued…)
megmac
posted 9/17/08 @ 2:38 PM EST
if someone is picking up smoking because the upperclass-people they respect or admire or whatever smoke, that's that person's perogative. it doesn't invalidate their decision to try it. (Continued…)
Zoe Witzeling
Zoe Witzeling
posted 9/27/08 @ 1:53 AM EST
I remember my freshman year when smoking was allowed on the veranda, and it functioned, similarly to the smoking circle of last year, as a social setting where people could simply wander outside and find someone to talk to. (Continued…)
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