LESLEY UNIVERSITY SMOKING ENVIRONMENT POLICY

(Effective 06/24/11)

POLICY STATEMENT:

Lesley University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members of the Lesley community, while respecting the individual rights of all members. This policy is intended to protect all persons from exposure to second-hand smoke and the effects of tobacco smoke. Consistent with these goals and in the support of the Massachusetts Public Laws regarding smoking the following policy has been established. Smoking is prohibited in all Lesley University indoor facilities and vehicles. This includes without limitation all indoor space: private faculty and administrative offices, common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, labs, conference and meeting rooms, library, art studios, art galleries, fitness facilities, dorms, elevators, hallways, storage closets, basements, kitchens, cafeterias, lounges, staircases, parking garages/lots and restrooms. Rental residential apartments owned by the University are exempted from this policy. Smoking is prohibited at all times in shuttle buses, escort vans, University Plants and Public Safety vehicles of all types.

Smoking is prohibited in all outdoor locations except for those spaces designated as smoking areas. These areas may be modified from time to time. For Academic Year 2010-11 there are eight designated smoking areas located throughout the University campuses.

These locations were selected to protect the safety of smokers, to ensure that smoke does not filter into buildings, to protect neighboring properties and neighbors from second-hand smoke and to provide access to designated smoking areas for smokers at each campus. Since our campuses are unique in their design and neighborhood relationships, the size and condition of the spaces vary based on available space. The University requests that all smokers using designated smoking areas and city sidewalks that they properly extinguish and discard cigarettes so as to not litter the surrounding areas.

The designated smoking locations are:

• At AIB/ Boston Campus - (700 Beacon Street and 601 Newbury Street) Smoking is limited to two areas of the sidewalk to the far left of each front door (when exiting the building), far enough away to ensure that no smoke enters the building.
• At the Brattle Campus - Effective 08/01/11, there will be no more smoking allowed on the entire campus.
• At the Doble Campus (Quad) - There are two designated smoking areas, the first located at the foot of the steps (to the left on the Doble side of the Quad) on Mellen Street directly below the Quad and the other behind 11 Mellen Street and 16-18 Wendell Street on the brick patio near the fence.
• At the Porter Campus - There are two designated smoking areas, one to the right of the back door (when entering the building) of University Hall near the loading dock area but under the cover and the second to the right of the front door (when entering) at 815 Somerville Avenue.

No advertising, promotional signage or other sponsorships of tobacco products is permitted at any University-sponsored event. No sale of tobacco products shall be permitted in any University- related space or vending machine. Commercial tenants renting space for non-University commercial use are exempted from this prohibition.

DEFINITION:

Smoking is defined as the lighting or burning, or inhaling and exhaling of any cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other tobacco product or smoking equipment.

ASSISTANCE:

To assist employees who wish to quit smoking, the University has developed a list of resources including smoking cessation program through the University’s group health insurance plan and educational materials and referral services for all employees regardless of insurance status. Employees and contract staff should contact the Office of Human Resources for additional information. The Office of Student Health Services has developed resources to assist any student who wishes to quit smoking. Students should contact the Office of Student Health Services.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This policy is effective September 1, 2010. It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, students and contractors to observe this policy. Cooperation and consideration between smokers and non-smokers are essential to assure the successful implementation of this policy. Faculty, staff, and students are responsible for informing visitors and guests of this policy and directing smokers to designated smoking areas. Members of the community who violate the University Smoking Policy will be required to provide their name and office/ dorm location to Public Safety Officers or Resident Life Staff, if requested. After an initial warning, those who choose to disregard the no smoking except in designated smoking areas will be subject to progressive discipline or fines and other sanctions for their failure to smoke in the designated areas. For employees the regular progressive disciplinary procedures will be used. The Dean of Students has instituted a progressive fine procedure for students. Any continued violations may result in further administrative actions.

A complaint, concern or dispute regarding this policy should be promptly referred for resolution to the Director of Human Resources for employees and the Dean of Students for students.

CANCELLATION:

The University reserves the right to review and/or change this policy in accordance with any changes in federal, state or University rules and regulations.