Operations Council Committee Report

Transcription

1 Operations Council Committee Report Smoking Policy Committee Committee Members: Tim Seguin Kathleen Fox Karen Schoen Susan Bozzer Bryan Bame Cyndi Parrelly 1

2 Council Charge Last fiscal year (FY16), the Coordinating Council asked the Operations Council to review HFC s smoking policy and provide recommendations relative to updating it. This was a result of many complaints regarding the current smoking policy at HFC. Significant work was performed on the subject including a campus-wide survey related to the current smoking policy and possible changes to it. The Smoking Policy project was not completed to the Coordinating Council s satisfaction and the matter has been taken up by the Operations Council in the current fiscal year (FY17). The following represents the Operations Council s background on the smoking policy, data considered, options for potential smoking policies and our recommendation. Background HFC s current smoking policy was implemented effective January 1, 2012 and stated the following: Effective January 1, 2012 all campuses of Henry Ford Community College are smoke free with the following exceptions: 1. Smoking is permitted in two designated outdoor locations and the main campus and in one designated outdoor location on all other campuses. 2. Smoking is permitted in personal vehicles. See attached Board Report #3748 (Exhibit A). From this Board report is the following quote: A smoke free campus sets the example the Henry Ford Community College supports a healthy environment. Further, the College is likely to influence attitudes towards tobacco use and create a culture where quitting is encouraged and facilitated. While not stated specifically, this updated policy may have been a response to State of Michigan Public Act #188 which was signed into law on December 18, 2009 and became effective May 1, The main aspect of the law is the following: Sec (1) An individual shall not smoke in a public place or at a meeting of a public body, and a state or local governmental agency or the person who owns, operates, manages, or is in control of a public place shall make a reasonable effort to prohibit individuals from smoking in a public place. HFC would be considered a public place as defined in the act. The complete act can be found at: The current review is a result of complaints from both students and employees regarding the current smoking policy. 1

3 Data Considered The Operations Council reviewed the policies of other local community colleges and also performed a survey of students, faculty and staff on the college s smoking policy including potential changes to the policy. The survey was performed in Fall, While the survey is one year old, we believe there was a sufficient response to not redo the survey. There were 414 student responses and 187 employee responses to the survey. A graphical representation of the responses can be seen in Exhibit B. Highlights from the survey include the following: When asked if they were aware of HFC s current smoking policy, 13% of HFC employees responded no while 36% of students responded no. Whatever policy is eventually adopted, we need to do a better job of making sure everyone knows what that policy is. When asked if HFC should become a smoke-free campus with no designated outside smoking areas, there was a divergence between students and employees; with a majority of students disagreeing (54%) and employees agreeing (58%). This can be understood when looking at those who smoke. When asked their smoking status, amongst students 15% were regular smokers and 13% were occasional smokers. Amongst employees, only 5% were regular smokers and 2% were occasional smokers. Finally, when asked if HFC being a completely smoke-free campus would negatively affect my decision to apply or attend or do my job, 22% of students agreed and only 10% of employees agreed. The smoking policies of Wayne County Community College (WCCC), Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Schoolcraft College, Macomb Community College (MCC) and Oakland Community College (OCC) are reflected in Exhibit C. WCCC has designated smoking areas, Schoolcraft and MCC allow smoking only in private vehicles and WCC and OCC are completely smoke-free. Options for Potential Smoking Policies The Operations Council believes that any new policy should be expanded to include any and all tobacco products and smoking simulation products or devices. We considered the following options: Option 1: Keep policy the same as it is currently with the addition of the above expansion of scope of products. Option 2: Remove the designated smoking areas completely, but continue to allow smoking in personal vehicles similar to our current policy with the addition of the above expansion of scope of products. Option 3: Move to completely smoke-free campus with no smoking allowed on College property. This would also include the addition of the above expansion of scope of products. 2

4 Option 1, keeping the status quo, is not a viable option as indicated by the numerous complaints from staff and students. Additionally, Campus Safety believes that the current policy is difficult to enforce. While moving to Option 3 would probably be best for the overall health of our students and employees, there is the possibility of losing students to the new policy as both WCCCD and Schoolcraft allow smoking in some fashion (designated areas or in personal vehicles). Final Discussion and Recommendations Currently, it is not difficult to see smoking on campus where there should not be. It is hard to tell if this is just ignorance of HFC policy or willful disregard of our policy. There has been little or no communication of our policies over the past couple of years. Additionally, signage on campus is lacking as it relates to smoking. As a part of an implementation plan to any revised policy on smoking, HFC will need to aggressively communicate and promote the new policy. Additional signage throughout campus will be needed as a part of any implementation plan. A draft communications plan is attached in Exhibit D. Our goal is to make our campus as smoke-free as possible for the sake of our students and employees. The negative health impacts of smoking are well documented. The Surgeon General s 2006 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General, indicates that secondhand smoke is a preventable and significant cause of illness and death in the United States, and that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. American Cancer Society data shows that workplace prohibition has been proven to be the most effective incentive for smoking cessation (from Board Report #3748). The Operations Council recommends that our revised smoking policy be as follows: Henry Ford College supports and is committed to wellness and a healthy environment. No person shall smoke, chew, or otherwise use tobacco, tobacco products, or smoking simulation products or devices, on, in, or upon property owned or leased by the College, with the exception of use in private vehicles. 3

5 EXHIBIT A Board Report #3748 January 18, 2010 HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BOARD REPORT SUBJECT: Proposed Smoke Free Campus Policy Last year, the College Senate charged the Environmental Health and Safety Committee with evaluating the proposal that Henry Ford Community College become a smoke free campus. On January 5, 2011, the recommendation was brought forward to the College Organization meeting for discussion and it was approved by a wide margin. The proposal now comes forward to the Board of Trustees for discussion. This fall, the Committee established a process to evaluate the proposal. To learn more about the issue and to receive input from the College community, the Committee researched similar programs at other colleges and universities, held an open forum, and conducted a survey. Research on similar programs identified the following data. As of October, 2009, approximately 440 colleges and universities had enacted smoke free policies across the nation. Within Michigan, eight community colleges have such a policy including Alpena, Delta, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Monroe, Muskegon, Northwestern, and Washtenaw. Most community colleges in Michigan are considering a smoke free policy. Public four year universities with a smoke free policy include Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Oakland, and Saginaw Valley. Literature from these institutions cites several common reasons for adopting such a policy. Primarily, a smoke free campus provides and promotes a healthy environment in which students, faculty, administrators, and staff can learn and work. The Surgeon General s 2006 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General, indicates that secondhand smoke is a preventable and significant cause of illness and death in the United States, and that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. American Cancer Society data shows that workplace prohibition has been proven to be the most effective incentive for smoking cessation. Colleges cite the concept that students are being prepared to enter the workplace which is more and more likely to be smoke free. As a cost saving measure, a smoke free campus has the potential to impact workers compensation, absenteeism, and healthcare cost trends. 4

6 Further, HFCC has approximately four hundred dually enrolled high school students on campus each semester in addition to the students from the Early College. Data suggests that smoking among teenagers is on the rise. A smoke free campus sets the example that Henry Ford Community College is committed to wellness and sends a clear message that the College supports a healthy environment. Further, the College is likely to influence attitudes toward tobacco use and create a culture where quitting is encouraged and facilitated. On November 18, the Committee held an open forum to discuss the proposal. Approximately forty individuals attended including students. Those in favor of the proposal cited the health risks to others and the impact to the appearance of the campus from cigarette litter. Those not in favor of the proposal discussed the loss of personal freedom and the concept that tobacco addiction is very difficult to break. A campus survey provided additional input to the Committee. With approximately 200 respondents, 83.6% indicated they strongly agreed or agreed that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious problem and 73.7% strongly agreed or agreed that HFCC should become a smoke free campus. Those favoring no smoking anywhere on campus were 41.2% while those favoring smoking permitted in designated areas were 37.9%. While 73% strongly agreed or agreed that smoking cessation and support programs should be offered to faculty, administrators, and support staff, 80% strongly agreed or agreed that such programs should be offered to students. Of respondents, 84.1% strongly agreed or agreed that litter caused by smoking detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the campus. Therefore, the recommended policy is that, effective January 1, 2012 all campuses of Henry Ford Community College are smoke free with the following exceptions: 1. Smoking is permitted in two designated outdoor locations on the main campus and in one designated outdoor location on all other campuses. 2. Smoking is permitted in personal vehicles. If the policy is approved at the March Board meeting, the implementation timeline would follow a plan used by many colleges and universities. The communication plan and the smoking cessation programs would be rolled out immediately. The policy would become effective January 1, This schedule provides ample time to communicate about the new policy and to provide everyone with time to participate in smoking cessation programs to quit or reduce smoking. If the proposed policy is approved, a comprehensive communication plan would be implemented immediately so that current and prospective students, all employees, and the external community would be aware. The communication plan would include posting information in the catalog, in the schedule of classes, on the closed circuit television system, on the HFCC cable station, on the HFCC website, on flyers, in s, in the Mirror News, through WHFR, and in local newspapers. 5

7 Enforcement for student violations would follow the student code of conduct. Enforcement for faculty, administrators, and support staff would include counseling and support programs. A program to facilitate smoking cessation would also be implemented immediately. Existing programs with College healthcare providers provide nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to support cessation for faculty, administrators, and support staff. The College would also offer group support sessions through the Wellness at Work Program. For students, group support programs and information on free cessation programs would be offered with assistance from Student Activities and student clubs. Information on smoking cessation would also be offered online. With the growing awareness that second hand smoke is a serious health risk, colleges and universities in Michigan and across the nation are moving to make campuses smoke free. These policies send the message that the wellness of students and everyone on campus is of primary importance and that colleges should set the standard in creating a safe and healthy environment. Marjorie C. Swan Vice President Controller Gail Mee, EdD President 6

8 EXHIBIT B Henry Ford College Operations Council No-Smoking Survey 7

9 Were you aware of HFC's current smoking policy? HFC Employees HFC Students 8

10 The current smoking policy is sufficient. HFC Employees HFC Students 9

11 Smoking should be allowed in any outside area of campus. HFC Employee s HFC Students 10

12 HFC should become a smoke-free campus with no designated outside smoking areas. HFC Employees HFC Students 11

13 HFC being a completely smoke-free campus would have negatively affected my decision to "do my job" or "apply and or attend". HFC Employees HFC Students 12

14 What is your gender? HFC Employees HFC Employees 13

15 Which of the following best applies to you? HFC Employees HFC Students 14

16 Please indicate your campus affiliation. HFC Employees HFC Students 15

17 Please indicate which campuses you work or attend: HFC Employees HFC Students 16

18 HFC Smoking Policy Survey (FA15) HFC Employees HFC Students # of Respondents Were you aware of HFC's current smoking policy? Yes 87% 64% No 13% 36% 2 The current smoking policy is sufficient. Agree or Strongly Agree 49% 32% Disagree or Strongly Disagree 39% 36% 3 Smoking should be allowed in any outside area of campus. Agree or Strongly Agree 15% 40% Disagree or Strongly Disagree 84% 57% 4 HFC should become a smoke-free campus with no designated outside smoking areas. Agree or Strongly Agree 58% 43% Disagree or Strongly Disagree 39% 54% 5 HFC being a completely smoke-free campus would have negatively affected my decision to "do my job" or "apply and or attend". Agree or Strongly Agree 10% 22% Disagree or Strongly Disagree 79% 70% 6 Which of the following best applies to you? Never Smoked 66% 49% Ex-Smoker 25% 18% Trying to Quit 2% 6% Occasional Smoker 2% 13% Regular Smoker 5% 15% 7 What is your gender? Female 58% 56% Male 38% 40% 8 Please indicate your campus affiliation: Full Time 66% 67% Part Time 34% 33% 9 Please indicate which campuses you work or attend: Main 90% 82% East 4% 4% Both 5% 5% 17

19 EXHIBIT C WCCC Smoking Policy: State law forbids smoking on District property except in designated areas. Smoke-Free Workplace Policy Wayne County Community College District and its facilities are smoke-free in compliance with the Michigan Clean-Air Act of Smoke-Free Workplaces. (Policy adopted by the Wayne County Community College District Board of Trustees 05/26/93) Washtenaw CC Smoking Policy: Policy Statement: Effective September 1, 2005, Washtenaw Community College will become a smokefree campus. Smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the campus; this includes all College facilities, including buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, building entrances, and common areas. The Administration shall fully implement this policy, and all applicable laws, regulations, and local ordinances related to smoking. 18

20 Schoolcraft College Smoking Policy: Use of all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes is prohibited in all campus buildings, sidewalks, building entrances, common areas, and College-owned vehicles, with the exception of use in private vehicles. The College will follow federal law regarding the use of medical marijuana. Schoolcraft College recognizes the need to address the health and safety needs of the students, staff and visitors from smoking and the use of tobacco products. Students, employees, and visitors of Schoolcraft College are expected to observe all federal, state, and local laws, as well as College policy governing the use of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Effective August 1, 2016, all Schoolcraft College campuses are smoke-free with the exception of use in private vehicles. The enforcement of this policy is placed as a responsibility on all members of the College administration and Campus Police Authority. Students, employees, and visitors are expected to comply with the smoke-free environment of the College. Persons who repeatedly disregard this policy will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary actions. 19

21 EXHIBIT D Operations Council Smoking Policy Committee Draft Communications Plan 1. Communications Plan (NEEDS TO BE ONGOING) a. External i. Press releases Gary Erwin ii. Signage Campus entrances - check with Facilities iii. Website Home Page Temporary announcement/banner b. Internal i. Students 1. Signage a. Building entrances b. Window stickers c. Lawn signs 2. E mail 3. Weblinks 4. TV Monitors 5. Student Handbook 6. Code of Conduct 7. Mirror News Peter Kim 8. Faculty announcements/syllabus - beginning of terms 9. Brochures Breathe Easy(?) low cost ii. Staff 1. E mail Weekly communique, Dr. Jensen letter 2. TV Monitors 3. Signage 4. Emergency Notification System 5. Mouse pads iii. Visitors 1. Contractors notified thru Purchasing/Facilities Restaurant customers 3. Handout from Guard Booth iv. Tenants 20

22 1. SME is leaving - disregard 2. Future tenants in lease contract 21