Spring Break
A.S. seeks opinion on smoking policy
Wendy Lopez
Daily Staff Writer
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The Associated Students Board of Directors debated Wednesday whether Measure W, a policy regulating campus smoking, should be on the 2003-2004 election ballot.
Ballot results will verify a student need for an enforced campus smoking policy, said Alice Tsai, A.S. director of student rights and responsibilities.
"The reason why I want to put it on the ballot is so students can have an input," Tsai said.
The current policy prohibits smoking within 15 feet from campus buildings, said Alfonso De Alba, A.S. executive director. A policy not enforced by the school, he said.
Measure W, if passed, would revise San Jose State University's current policy, according to the A.S. election ballot.
"If the measure does not get on the ballot, students do not get their input with Academic Senate," Tsai said.
Currently, the Academic Senate does not have enough student opinion, a reason why the smoking policy is an advisory vote, Tsai said.
The purpose of an advisory vote is to collect a student's point of view, she said.
Once votes are tallied, the senate considers student voice in policy decision-making, Tsai said. A signature from SJSU President Robert Caret determines the final resolution.
"We will never statistically know if we never throw it out there," A.S. Controller Alice Lee said.
Students should be given the opportunity to show that there is a need, Tsai said.
In a similar movement, more than 90 percent of San Diego State University students showed there was a need for stronger smoking policies, Tsai said.
Similar to SDSU, SJSU should be given a chance to voice their opinion, she said.
Allowing students to vote on the smoking policy is an option for students, Lee said. They should not have their options taken away.
Students not participating in the ballot process cannot complain about the outcome of Measure W, De Alba said.
Out of approximately 30,000 students enrolled this semester, 3,000 will vote, Lee said.
"On average, 10 percent of the student population votes during elections," Lee said.
Tsai said there is a need for smoking policy enforcement.
"Cost is not something to worry about, " Tsai said, "Education and government codes will cover costs."
California State University representatives have told CSU presidents that, factually, smoking is harmful and smoking problems at all campuses need to be fixed, Tsai said.
Former A.S. Vice President Akbar Shetty, a transfer student studying marketing and economics, said SJSU officials should not tell people they cannot smoke.
On the A.S. ballot, Measure W offers smoking bans 5, 15 and 25 feet away from campus buildings. One option completely bans smoking on campus.
Students wanting to participate in the election need a student identification card with a current transit sticker, De Alba said.
Measure W will appear on the March election ballot. Elections typically take place one week prior to spring break, according to A.S.
