Last week Vice President of Facilities and Student Housing Karen Frank informed Georgetown students in a March 12 on-campus e-mail that she will implement Interhall Council’s proposal to adopt a smoke-free residence hall policy. According to Frank, smoking will be prohibited in all residence halls, apartments, and townhouses as well as near entrances and air ventilation intake systems, effective at the end of this semester.
The move, which has both student and administrative support, is a major step in promoting an environment conducive to a healthier lifestyle. Student Housing should be congratulated for their adoption of the new policy. However, the real victory goes to Interhall, a group which has set a positive example of how student initiative and administrative cooperation can lead to positive changes in the campus community.
While some may argue that the new policy may be draconian, especially in relation to the ban in apartments, townhouses and near building entrances, Interhall took appropriate measures to allow students to voice their opinions. Last fall, Interhall conducted a survey to determine whether there was a demand for smoke-free residence halls. The results showed an overwhelming 90 percent of the over 1250 respondents favoring the idea.
After Interhall submitted their proposal, the Housing Advisory Council, a committee comprised of both students and faculty and Residence Life reviewed the proposal and gave unanimous support, which again confirmed community demand for the policy. By including students, faculty and administrators in the ongoing process of evaluation prior to implementation, Student Housing and Interhall gave the entire community the opportunity to take ownership of the change.
Although we have yet to see whether the new smoke-free housing policy will reduce tobacco use among Georgetown students, it is clear that the inconvenience experienced by many non-smokers as a result of second-hand smoke and drifting odors will be reduced. Nevertheless, the process of evaluation and student input should not stop now that the policy change is in place. There is no doubt that problems will arise as students react to implementation. Furthermore, nothing has been said concerning enforcement of the smoking ban.
In the future, Students, faculty and administrators must continue to share the responsibility for implementing positive changes in the community.
