University Daily Kansar
Tuesday, March 13, 1973
7
KU Instructors Rule on Smoking
By MYLA STARR
Kansan Staff Writer
At one time, a student who wanted to smoke in class was required to obtain written permission from both the dean of his department and the executive secretary of the University.
Now smoking in classrooms has become the rule rather than the exception, and the burden of proof has been shifted to the nonsmoker. And, although the nonsmoker is a significant member of our security guideline that promotes smoking in classrooms, his case has no appeal.
A resolution adopted by the University Council Dec. 14 recommends that each instructor devise a method to alleviate the problem of smoking in his classes. The teachers should instruct their objects to smoking in class, a smoking ban should be imposed by the instructor.
IF THE INSTRUCTOR refuses to impose such a ban, however, there is no recourse.
According to Richard Von Ende, acting executive secretary of the University, the resolution is unenforceable because it only violates the constitution of a non-smoking student be honored.
According to Keith Lawton, director of facilities planning and operations, the new resolution is a restatement of a long-standing guideline that prohibits smoking in classrooms.
Lawton said that the original guideline had been under discussion at times but that
Housekeeping was a major consideration in the adoption of the original guideline, Lawton said, but the danger of fire from smoking in classrooms was also a factor.
"IN AN OFFICE, everyone is responsible
his own asstyh", he said. "In the
class room."
"The janitor is there at night. Is it his responsibility to empty the ashtrays and make sure the last butt is out? There is an danger, because no one is responsible."
Lawton said that the key to enforcement the guideline was the cooperation of [POLICE] and other agencies.
"It isn't the job of Buildings and Grounds or the University security division to monitor classrooms," he said. "If the guideline is to be effective, the campus community will have to acknowledge the community and abide by it."
Lawton said that, historically, only a
"IT HAS BEEN basically ignored," he said.
small segment of the University community had adhered to the smoking prohibition.
But a number of University instructors continue to enforce a no smoking policy in their classes. A few of them are interested in the discussion of the environment of the classroom for their students.
Murray Wax, chairman of the sociology department, said that he prohibited smoking in his classes because he found it "personally offensive."
"If a smoker could smoke both ends of a cigarette, he would pollute only his own breath."
Wax said that liter was also a problem in praser because most of the ashtrays put out so much wax.
Both airstrays and no smoking signs are numerous in Summerfield Hall, but Arno
'If a smoker could smoke both ends of a cigarette, he would pollute only his own air,' Wax said.
'But he is polluting mine.'
Knapper, associate professor of business, who he strictly防badmoking in his classes.
WAIX SAID that students have abided by his no smoking rule but that enforcing a smoking ban on a large scale would be difficult.
In Green Hall, one of the most overcrowded buildings on campus, smoking has been regulated by students themselves, as Martin Dickinson, dean of the School of Law.
Dickinson said that course evaluations sheets for the fall semester contained "numerous objections" to smoking in classrooms. Most were from students who thought that smoking interfered with their concentration, he said.
Dickinson said that smoking was common in the hallways and lounge areas of Green
Hall, but that he had not noticed any students smoking in his classes.
"THE PREVAILING custom is one of not smoking." he said.
The danger of fire is a major reason for the no smoking policy in fine arts classrooms, according to Thomas Gorton, dean of the School of Fine Arts. Some of the materials used in the visual arts department are made from paper and in many of the temporary structures that currently house fine arts classrooms, smoking would be a fire hazard.
Clean air is important to the community environment in the School of Architecture and Urban Design, said Charles Kahn, dean of the school. Kahn said that, although there was not a standard smoking policy in the school not seen smoking in the design studios.
'THE STUDIOS are relatively cramped and if there is an objection to smoking in the area, we would probably ask those people who were smoking to refrain while in the area.
Although some instructors do ban smoking in their classes, many do not, and it is the juxtailor stuff that bears the brunt of this. The instructor leaves when classes adjourn at 5:20 p.m.
According to Harry Buchholz, director of the physical plant, the cleaning problem caused by smoking in classrooms was bad and retting worse.
As the size of the student body and the percentage of students who smoke in class has increased, floor damage and the "continual litter" caused by smoking has become a major housekeeping problem, he said.
BUCHHOLZ SAID that because the University did not provide ashtrays in cigarettes many smokers use cigarette butts. Although this practice has melted and permanently defaced much of the tile in campus buildings, the tile is rarely replaced, he said.
Time spent cleaning floors littered with ground-in cigarette butts and ashes would be increased if ashstrays were provided, Buchholz said, because ashstrays that were spilled on the floor would also have to be cleaned up by the inorganic staff.
Sand-filled urns are provided in the hallways of all buildings on campus, and are stored on the ground.
Candidates Stumping
"Last week only one coalition spoke to us in Watkins Hall," Wohlrabe said. "No other coalition bothered with the scholarship halls.
All 16 candidates for junior class offices participated in a forum for scholarship hall residents Monday night at Watkins Hall. Sarah Wolhrae, the Dove Morphose spon-sher,
Speaking before a dozen people, campaign parties presented individual platforms, introduced candidates and asked to questions moderated by Wohlbrake.
An emphasis was on the issuing of class card discounts, the role of a junior class officer, junior apathy and improvement of the concert and speaker programs she said.
Two to Speak On Consumers, Role of Media
Two consumer protection advocates will speak at a meeting of the University of Kansas chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society, at 7:30 tonight in the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Lance Burr, chief of the Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney general's office, and Pat Weiss, researcher for the KU Consumer Protection Agency, will discuss state and local consumer protection
Two bills, known as the "Consumer Protection Bill of Rights," are now being considered in the Kansas Legislature. One bill provides for a uniform consumer credit code and the other bill specifically outlaws deceptive selling practices.
Burr, who is a Lawrence attorney, has legislation concerning consumer protection.
The two bills were quickly passed in the Senate but received opposition in House committee testimony. Neither of the bills were approved by the Senate. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Just Arrived!
New Management!
New Fast Maintenance! Summer Rates-Fall Rates Close to Campus-Pool Clubhouse-Courteous and Helpful People to Deal With
More Blue Denim Pants (with cuffs)
"LUXURY WITH ECONOMY" WEST HILLS
the problem of "people who can stand next to an urn and can't hit it."
Owned and Operated by Columbian Properties Mrs. Forsyth-Mike or Irma Clay 841-3800
THE ATTIC
927 Massachusetts Street
Although the cost of the damage caused by careless smokers has not been estimated, Buchholz said that he had particularly noticed floor damage in Blake Hall and Fraser Hall, two of the newer buildings on campus.
"WHEN THE STUDENTS started going to class, the floors were ruined," he said. The original resolution sent to the University Council by the Student Senate specified that a doctor's statement that smoking was harmful to the health of a student would be issued, and a student wished to have smoking banned in class. The University Council agreed that a doctor's statement should be necessary and amended the resolution accordingly.
"We are all paying the salary of the Surgeon General," Von Ende said, "and he has already said that smoking is injurious to health."
Use Kansan Classified
Polls During Day Wed. & Thurs.
Strong 8:00-5:00
Summerfield 8:00-5:00
Union 8:00-5:00
POLLS WED. NIGHT
Oliver — 4:30-9:00
Naismith — 5:30-7:30
Ellsworth — 5:30-7:30
GSP 4:00-6:00
Delta Gamma,
Chi Omega,
Alpha Gamma Delta, 6:00-10:00
Phi Psi,
Kappa Kappa Gamma
NOTICE to All People Voting for Senators in Engineering, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and North College:
You will have more than one ballot to Vote on because of the number of names that one ballot can hold is exceeded by your school or college.
Engineering — Will receive 2 ballots
Education — Will receive 2 ballots
LA&S—Will receive 3 ballots
North—Will receive 2 ballots
Make sure you get the 2 or 3 ballots so you have a chance to vote for everyone that is running.