A new non-smoking policy went into effect on campus on July 1, and smoking is no longer permitted in the dormitories--or within 20 feet of academic and residence buildings.

Officials have posted signs on the doors of every entrance to all residence and academic buildings that read, “No Smoking Inside or Within 20 Feet of This Building.”

According to www.SUNY.edu, 91 percent of State University of New York campuses were already smoke-free before the new policy went into effect. Morrisville was in the 9 percent of SUNY campuses that permitted smoking in the residence halls. All SUNY campus buildings are now smoke-free, in order to “enhance the overall health and education of SUNY students,” said president of the Student Assembly and co-chair of the Student Life Committee Alyssa Amyotte.

Many see the smoking ban as a great addition to Morrisville. Supporters note that prohibiting smoking in the residence halls reduces the risk of fires; it also cuts down on the second-hand smoke that once lingered in the halls of all the dorms.

Many students who are smokers are unhappy with the new rules. Thomas Ableman, a Liberal Arts major, ’09, a smoker, said, “I’m not looking forward to smoking outside in the wintertime.” He added, “I know there’s nothing we can do to change the rule about no smoking in the dorms, but there should at least be some kind of shelter for smokers to stand under, because of the elements.”

Richard Shatwell, an automotive major, ’09, said he thought, “A nice smoking lounge someplace would be cool.”

While smoking in the residence halls has seemingly stopped, the rule about being 20 feet away from a building if one is smoking is commonly disregarded by smokers. University Police Chief Enrico D’Alessandro explained that while University Police have the authority to tell smokers to move further away if they are within 20 feet of a building, it is not something the University Police focuses on. “We’re not the smoking police,” said D’Alessandro. “There are criminal matters we are investigating instead at this point in time.”

After numerous interviews with students around campus, it is apparent that many feel that, like DisneyWorld, Morrisville should have designated smoking areas. One non-smoker, James Horn ’09, suggested a gazebo as a smoking station. “I like that I don’t have to worry about my roommate smoking in the room, but I feel bad that smokers have no place to go,” Horn said.

 East Hall Resident Assistant Courtney Ball, '08, explained that if a student is caught smoking in the dorm room, the violation will be documented, which “isn’t that serious if the student cooperates.” She added that if the student were to cause a disturbance, they will most likely be reported to Director of Residence Life Armanda King.

Despite the fact there is a no-smoking policy on campus, since smokers have yet to see any consequences, they will happily continue smoking within 20 feet of every building unless officials decide to start enforcing this policy.