By Kyle Twardowski

For Triton’s Call

Although the tobacco-free policy at UOG has been around since Fall 2007, some students still choose to smoke or vape in areas where they should not. Brandon Franquez, a UOG junior, said he frequents the area in front of the RFK library to smoke, and he does this almost on a daily basis. Franquez said he was caught smoking on campus twice. However, he walked away both times with only a warning.

“I don’t really care that there is a smoking-policy,” Franquez said. “I’d rather there just be a designated smoking area instead of taking away from others personal enjoyment.” The smoking policy, printed in the UOG student handbook issued to all incoming students, states that “smoking and the use of tobacco products or e-cigarettes shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including privately owned vehicles.”

The policy also states that “smoking and the use of tobacco products or e-cigarettes shall also be prohibited outdoors on all UOG properties, including the campus and parking lots.” The policy applies to all students, UOG faculty/employees and any other visitor on the campus. UOG faculty members, in particular, not only have to abide by the policy, but the must enforce it as well. However, according to Felix Mansipit, UOG safety administrator, there are limitations to what can be done to prevent tobacco usage on campus.

“Security staff can only approach a person and inform them that there is a no smoking policy and that the University does not allow smoking anywhere on the campus.” Mansipit’s security team does have the authority to turn over information on a student to the Enrollment Management and Student Success (EMSS) Office. However, with faculty, they can only advise students of the policy since Mansipit and his team are not a part of law enforcement. Cody Dixon, a former student at UOG, said during the Fall 2015 semester, UOG President Robert Underwood caught him smoking on campus. Dixon said Underwood had caught him twice, and during both times, Underwood had told him to stop smoking on campus.

“I was stopped twice for vaping, and once for smoking”, Dixon stated. Dixon said he continued to smoke on campus, but after the third time he was caught and told to stop, he was required to participate in community service. This has been verified by two individuals that were present at the scene. Dixon said after being caught and dealt the requirement of community service, he was hospitalized due to an unrelated medical reason, and he could not complete the works. Dixon said a UOG dean’s assistant had tried to set up a date for him to complete the work. Dixon said he informed the assistant about his predicament, and then advised that he no longer was required to complete the community service.