SGA passes Barnard smoking ban resolution

The Student Government Association passed a resolution supporting a full smoking ban on Barnard’s campus Monday night.

The vote comes after a survey last week revealed that an overwhelming majority of students who chose to participate in the poll wanted to see a full-campus ban. Over 300 students completed the survey—roughly 10 percent of the student population—though only 233 students’ usernames could be verified. Out of those 233 students, 72 percent of students voted in favor of the ban, 26 percent voted against, and two percent said they were unsure.

Reni Calister, BC ’11 and senior class president, said that the number of students who filled out the survey does not accurately reflect the opinion of the student body.

“Ten percent of the constituency is not representative of the constituency at all,” Calister said.

Currently, Barnard has a partial ban on smoking. It is banned everywhere on campus except for the area north of the Barnard Quad and the plaza on the northern side of Altschul. A full ban would prohibit smoking in these areas as well.

The University Senate at Columbia University passed a resolution Friday to ban smoking within 20 feet of all campus buildings on the Morningside campus.

Last week’s survey comes after the administration approached the SGA earlier this semester about the possibility of implementing a full smoking ban on campus.

After a brief discussion last night, fifteen council members voted in favor of a ban and two people voted against, along with two abstentions.

Diana Rastegayeva, BC ’11 and vice president for communications, previously said that Barnard has found it difficult to enforce a ban on only certain parts of the campus.

“Part of the trouble with having a partial ban is that it’s hard to enforce for everyone. Students are unaware of the policy,” Rastegayeva said.

Calister said that she did not see the fairness in implementing a full-scale ban if students are not aware of the current rule, as Rastegayeva said.

“That’s not fair at all, the students should be aware of their rights,” Calister said. “As it is right now, the rule is not out there.”

But other members supported changing the campus rules about smoking at Barnard.

“We’re not saying you can’t smoke, we’re saying you can’t smoke in this private space that affects other people,” said Hilary Krase, BC ’11 and General Studies Student Council representative.
“I’d be in favor of a stronger ban, like, 20 feet from our buildings,” said Megan Shannon, BC ’11 and vice president for student life.

Rastegayeva stressed that the idea for the smoking ban first originated with the administration, not the SGA.

“If we decide to pass this ban, it will be an ongoing discussion with the administration in terms of enforcement,” Bridgit Donnelly, BC ’11 and SGA vice president, said.

SGA will give their recommendation to administrators, who will decide next steps for the initiative.

madina.toure@columbiaspectator.com