SOU smoking policy mulled

"I don't want to fight on these levels," said Linda Sturgeon, a Southern Oregon University student. "I'm just saying, remove them from my path before I die."

Sturgeon was speaking at a campus-wide meeting Wednesday afternoon, designed to address meeting the needs and rights of cigarette smoking and non-smoking students on the SOU campus.

"In a nutshell, I have severe asthma. I have no way of controlling avoidance of smoke (on campus) because smoking is allowed on the path ways," said Sturgeon. "I have no way of knowing, even if I avoid those pathways, if smoke is going to drift up. When smoke, even a few molecules, comes into my system, my lungs close. I can't breathe."

In spite of Sturgeon's passion, and prominent advertising on behalf of the student senate to attract a broad attendance — including the promise of free pizza — only four people wound up attending the meeting, the first in what may turn out to become a growing debate. But this did little to dissuade Sturgeon's need to be heard.

"I have a documented disability, for this condition, through SOU," said Sturgeon. "But yet SOU does not provide the environmental safety that I need in order to breathe. I support the right of the smoker to smoke. All I'm asking for is that there be a designated area for smoking that is completely removed from the pathways."

All along, Leslie Nylen, student advocate for the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University, is quickly scribbling notes to send to the Dean of Students and other official channels.

"The advocate advisory committee had concerns about the same issue," said Nylen. "This meeting seemed like a good step. I knew Linda would attend, but I hoped a more diverse representation of the student body would attend as well."

"I suggested building an enclosed area, far off in the grass, with a fan to blow the smoke up. I don't expect smokers to have to stand in the rain," said Sturgeon. "It would be easy, and not cost more than a thousand dollars. This way, they're happy, I'm happy and I don't die."

Nylen vows to submit all suggestion to the dean, as well as learn more about how to enforce the already existing state regulation concerning the prohibition of smoking within 15 feet of public building entryways. "I want individuals who are adversely affected by smoke to feel that they can be proactive," said Nylen. "I'm trying to facilitate what students want, which is a range of change. People want change and innovation in ways that support both smokers and nonsmokers alike on this campus."

Later in the day, Johanna Thompson, a prominent smoker at SOU, suggested a willingness to compromise. "I feel like we have a right to smoke, as long as we're respectful and stay away from the doors," said Thompson. "However, I think that the designated smoking areas could be a good idea. As long as they don't put us off in caves somewhere."

Nylen, who is serving her last term in the advocacy position, hopes to create a campus environment that focuses more on issues affecting the dichotomy of students in attendance at SOU.

"Ten percent of students in DSS have asthma or are adversely affected by things in the air," said Mark Grabow, of SOU Disability Services. "We have students that have extreme chemical sensitivity and walking by smoke can cause reactions, trouble speaking, concentrating, etc." Grabow points out that a large problem is the lack of enforcement of the 15 feet rule. "There are only a few (students) that are severely affected by the smoke, but the results can be big."

"There are more students here bothered by this than just me," said Sturgeon. "I've put a lot of thought into this; it's not just off the top of my head. I hoped more people would show up to this meeting, but what is happening right now is a reflection of our whole society. Apathy. People don't feel they can make a difference. I hope to."