Governors State University Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Campus Policy and Principles
Policy: As of July 1, 2015 Governors State University prohibited smoking and tobacco products indoors and outdoors on campus property including parking lots and in parked cars. Littering the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product on campus property is further prohibited.
Click here to read the Higher Education Smoke-Free Campus Act from the Illinois General Assembly.
Benefits: The policy was written in support of the Smoke-Free Campus Act (110 ILCS 64/). This law mandates that as of July 1, 2015 smoking was prohibited at any institution of higher education in the state of Illinois. The Smoke-Free Campus Act and the additional measures of the Board of Trustees policy establishes and maintains a healthier campus environment. The goal is to reduce absenteeism and illness due to medical issues that may be caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, and/or tobacco use; the policy also encourages a cleaner campus.
Scope: This policy applies to any individual on campus property, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, other employees, contractors, subcontractors, guests, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public. It is applicable twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
"Smoke or Smoking" means (1) the carrying, smoking, burning, inhaling, or exhaling of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarillo, beedies, kreteks, water pipe, bong, cigarette, hookah, weed, herbs, or other lighted smoking equipment; (2) lighting or burning of non-tobacco plants or marijuana; and (3) using nicotine products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a smoking cessation product, such as electronic cigarettes.
Definitions:
"Campus Property" means any property owned, leased, occupied, operated, or otherwise controlled by Governors State University, including but not limited to academic and auxiliary buildings, classrooms, laboratories, residences, residence halls, elevators, stairwells, restrooms, roofs, meeting rooms, hallways, lobbies and other common areas, athletic complexes and facilities, exterior open spaces, shuttle buses, shuttle bus stops, driveways, loading docks, university-owned streets, sidewalks and walkways, and as further set forth on the GovState smoke-free campus map (below).
"Tobacco Products" means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, beedies, kreteks, water pipes, bongs, and hookahs, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device or product.
"Student" means an individual enrolled in a credit or noncredit course.
"Employee" means an individual who is employed by Governors State University in consideration for direct or indirect monetary wages or profit.
"Guest" means a visitor to the campus who is not a student or employee.
Processes/Procedures/Guidelines:
1. The university shall post "No Smoking" signs or "No Smoking" symbols across the campus, such as at building entrances. However, this policy applies to all campus property whether or not such notices are posted.
2. Organizers and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events, and sporting events, as well as non-university events held on campus property must abide by this policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for informing attendees of this policy.
3. Individuals found to be non-compliant will be subject to existing campus disciplinary measures:
- For students, such noncompliance will be referred to the Dean of Students Office.
- For employees, such noncompliance will be referred to the employee's supervisor or the Human Resources Department, as applicable.
- For contractors and subcontractors, such noncompliance will be referred to the campus unit responsible for monitoring the performance of the applicable contract.
- Visitors and members of the public who refuse to comply with this policy may be asked to leave campus.
Exceptions under the Law (110 ILCS 64/5) and University Policy:
Ceremonial Smoking: Individuals or groups interested in smoking as part of a ceremony in or on campus property must seek advance approval from the Associate Vice President for Facilities Development and Management by submitting a request for approval. For consideration of an exemption send an email to the Associate Vice President of Facilities Development and Management. For more information on Ceremonial Smoking Exemptions, click here to read our FAQs.
Smoking in Research: Smoking may be allowed in an enclosed area on campus property for a medical, scientific, or research program, provided that smoking is an integral part of such program and the appropriate campus research oversight body has approved the inclusion of smoking in the program according to the applicable procedures for such medical, scientific, or research program.
Click here to download a printable PDF version of the GovState Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy and Principles.