The Academic Senate is being blinded by a cloud of smoke into considering ignorant mandates for the university. The proposed revisions to the university smoking policy the Academic Senate will vote on Thursday are unrealistic, idealistic and don't truly address the problem. If enforced, revisions would completely ban smoking on campus and would fine smokers for lighting up. In the 2007 student election, almost 34 percent of the votes supported a complete ban on smoking and almost 30 percent supported the creation of designated smoking areas. But in actuality, less than 5 percent of the entire student body cared enough to vote to support a ban. So how can the university push a measure that such a small portion of its students supports?
When San Francisco State adopted a no-smoking policy in 2004, the university established designated smoking areas. However, at Chico State, no such areas will be provided if the policy is approved. San Francisco State president Robert Corrigan addressed the exception by saying complete prohibition does not work."Denying those who smoke any outlet is likely to prove counterproductive and prompt both resentment and violation of the policy," he said. "Further, mutual respect, a cornerstone of our campus values, leads us to seek a solution that addresses the concerns of all involved."
In the editorial above, the author is attempting to persuade the reader:
a. There should be a campus wide smoking ban.
b. There should be designated smoking areas on campus.
c. Not enough students voted on the issue for a decision to be made.
d. To change schools and go to San Francisco State University instead.