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Photo by Thelma M. Lucas/The Advocate
Smokers who may no longer light up on campus have taken to smoking near the bus stop on 257th Ave., and discard their butts along the curb.
Cigarette butts continue to litter tobacco-free campus
Public safety has issued only warnings so far
The Advocate
A lot of cigarette butts may still be found around the Mt. Hood Community College campus despite the tobacco-free policy that began Jan. 2.
People have been seen smoking on campus, around the main entrance, behind the main computer lab, around the Visual Arts department, and various other places. Head Public Safety Officer Wayne Feagle said thus far he has only given verbal warnings.
“Eventually we’re going to go to that (fining people), we’ll eventually transition, but right now we’re just trying to get the word out that it’s a non-smoking campus,” said Feagle. “It’s a new thing, and we just want to get the word out.”
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June Jacobs assistant to the president for strategic initiatives and board relations, said, “I, personally, have not seen anyone smoking on campus but I have been told by others that they have. Public Safety has reported they have found most people to be very courteous when reminded of the new policy.”
Jacobs said, “Unfortunately, I have seen cigarette butts around campus. People are still littering and dropping cigarette butts, which causes a problem for our already short-handed and overworked facilities crew. I would hope that those who are walking out to the sidewalks to smoke will remember to be respectful of other people not wishing to walk through clouds of smoke on their way to the bus stop or onto campus — and to please not litter.”
The Tobacco Free Task Force met last week to discuss some ideas for helping clean areas littered with cigarette butts.
Jacobs said, “Facilities staff doesn’t have to clean the area around the bus stop, but to also determine how to encourage people not to smoke in groups, of 25 or 30, in front of the college.”
“We are receiving complaints from many students, employees and community members who have to walk through clouds of cigarette smoke to reach either the bus stop or the campus. Volunteers have offered to help clean up the litter on their breaks.”
According to Jacobs MHCC doesn’t plan more enforcement. She said, “Public Safety will continue to warn people they see smoking and will begin issuing tickets to those who refuse to obey the policy.”
“Like any other college policy, fines will be assessed for those not following policies and/or procedures. No littering signs will soon be in place and fines will be assessed to anyone littering college grounds with cigarette butts,” she said.
Jacobs said, “We are all in this together working to create a healthier environment for everyone at all our locations. Ultimately, it is everyone’s responsibility to follow MHCC policy while at any college location. Policy cards are available for anyone comfortable with presenting a card to someone they see smoking on college grounds. But, in the end, it is important for each individual to monitor their own behavior and be respectful of others.”
MHCC student Jennifer Smith (general studies major) said, “The campus is so big. It could have some smoking designed areas, maybe at the parking lot or in the place close to the art department, where we had before. I don’t throw away my cigarette butts. I keep them and when I find a garbage can I throw them away, but they could put a garbage can at the main entrance. There are a lot of cigarette butts. But why can’t you smoke? It is your option.”
According to Jacobs, “Maywood Park Campus reports a smooth transition with little or no problems. The Bruning Center is already tobacco-free due to its location next to The Center for Advanced Learning. Many employees and students have been working hard the past six months to help with this implementation and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. It is their hard work that has made the implementation go as smoothly as it has.”
If anyone is interested in helping with cleaning the area around the bus stop, contact Jacobs at 503-491-7210.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.
Comments
The editor really needs to reexamine this piece. Phrases such as "a lot of cigarettes" are certainly not up to par with collegiate journalism. Overall, this piece is a joke and should be rewritten by a competent journalist and editor.