FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-09-032
September 18, 2008
College to Become Smoke-Free by 2009 The College of the Canyons Board of Trustees voted in August to make both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses smoke-free beginning with the spring 2009 semester. Under the new policy, smoking will be allowed only in the parking lots of both campuses -- at least 50 feet from any building -- and in one designated area near Cougar Stadium on the Valencia campus. The board’s decision modified an existing smoking policy developed in 1999 that defined designated smoking areas on the Valencia campus. The changes to the physical locations of the designated areas caused by construction projects and the development of a totally new campus in Canyon Country prompted a complete review of the policy. The review process involved a student survey conducted by the Associated Student Government (ASG) in which 69 percent of the respondents favored making the Canyon Country campus smoke-free, and 67 percent were in favor of making the Valencia Campus smoke-free. The survey also revealed that students were unhappy with the way the existing policy was enforced, with 63 percent of respondents calling for better enforcement of the policy. Based on the survey results, the ASG endorsed modifications to the policy. “This new policy is straightforward and clear,” said Dr. Michael Wilding, vice president of student services at the college, “and adopts the same kind of policy that dozens of other campuses across the state have in place. It should be simpler for campus visitors and students to determine where they can and cannot smoke,” stressed Wilding. “By removing the ambiguity of the previous policy, by reasonably accommodating the strong feelings of both smoking and non-smoking advocates, and by adding clear signage on both campuses, smoking controversies should become a thing of the past,” said Wilding. The new policy and implementing procedures were reviewed and endorsed by the Academic Senate and the College Policy Council. Understanding that smoking is a sensitive issue to many, the college’s administration has decided to engage in an education effort to advise students of the new changes and not implement them until the start of the spring 2009 semester, which begins Feb. 9, 2009. Students interested in quitting smoking can find assistance at the Student Health Center located in STCN – 122. Note to Editor: Policy and Administrative Procedures attached.
Board Policy BP 3900 Smoking/Tobacco Usage In and On Campus Facilities In the interest of promoting health and well being of District students, staff and visitors and maintaining the safety of District facilities, it shall be the policy of the District to limit /or prohibit smoking/tobacco usage in and on campus facilities.
Administrative Procedure AP 3900 Smoking/Tobacco Usage In and On Campus Facilities A. Student, employee, and visitor health is a primary concern of the Santa Clarita Community College District. Because of the clear evidence of the harmful nature of smoke inhalation and air contamination, the District, in accordance with State law, bans smoking/tobacco usage within all campus buildings and in any outdoor area except in designated smoking areas. This policy includes all college-leased and college-occupied buildings. In addition, smoking/tobacco usage shall be prohibited at events held on campus initiated by internal District users or external agencies as defined by the Civic Center Act. Further, smoking/tobacco usage is banned in the swimming pool area, in the Cougar Stadium, and in all College vehicles. B. Smoking shall be allowed in a designated area near Cougar Stadium. In addition, smoking is allowed in perimeter parking lots away from the central campus. C. Smoking is not permitted in the parking area directly adjacent to Boykin Hall and the lot adjacent to the Early Childhood Education Center D. Following recommendations from the Health and Welfare Committee, other smoking areas may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the District. E. All other tobacco usage in and on District facilities is expressly prohibited. F. Violators shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. G. Questions regarding this policy shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the District or his/her designee. Any review and decision by the Chief Executive Officer of the District or his/her designee shall be deemed to be final. | 
