While WVU’s Morgantown campus has been tobacco-free since 2012 under
Board of Governors (BOG) Policy 57 – Tobacco-Free Campus,
expands the prohibitions set forth in the prior policy and clarifies that smoking
in any form (including e-cigarettes and vapor products) is prohibited on WVU property.
The updated rule also was broadened to include the University’s divisional campuses
(WVU Institute of Technology and WVU Potomac State College) in addition to the Morgantown
campus.
The updated rule provides additional details on the prohibitions
outlined in the original policy by:
Q. Does the rule include prohibitions on the use of smokeless tobacco on University
property?
A. Yes. As with the prior policy, the updated rule prohibits the
use of tobacco in all forms, including smokeless tobacco products, on WVU property.
Q. Who is required to follow the tobacco-and smoke-free campus rule?
A. The rule applies to all students, faculty and staff, visitors
and employees of vendors or contractors on all University property across the
entire WVU System.
Q. What is considered “University property” within the rule?
A. For the purposes of the tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule
only, “University property” is defined as all buildings, facilities, structures,
grounds, parking structures and lots, enclosed bridges and walkways, sidewalks,
vehicles and other property controlled by and under the jurisdiction of the WVU
BOG.
Q. Are there any exceptions to the tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule?
A. Yes. Certain University programs (e.g., athletic events) that
attract a large number of off-campus visitors to WVU property may be exempted
from the prohibitions set forth in the tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule.
Any exemption will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the approval of the
University’s president provided that smoking and the use of tobacco products
is restricted to designated outdoor areas. Further, smoking and the use of tobacco
products may be permitted for academic or research purposes in a controlled setting
with prior approval of the president.
Q. Who is overseeing the implementation of the tobacco- and smoke-free campus
rule?
A. A steering committee of University administrators and subject
matter experts is overseeing the implementation of the rule. The steering committee
also is responsible for monitoring compliance to the rule and making any necessary
adjustments.
Q. How will the rule be enforced?
A. WVU is seeking voluntary compliance for the tobacco- and smoke-free
campus rule. However, the University also has established several
methods of enforcement
as permitted by law and in accordance with University policy for students, faculty,
staff, vendors and visitors who violate the rule.
Enforcement will be fair and consistent, and non-compliance will be addressed
in accordance with existing or forthcoming
rules, policies and procedures. For example:
- Students will be subject to Student Conduct proceedings and sanctions as outlined
in the Student Conduct Code
for each campus.
- Visitors who do not comply with the rule will be asked to leave campus,
which if ignored, may result in additional sanctions.
- Employees of vendors or contractors will be reported to their employer for
appropriate remedial action.
A compliance officer has been hired to monitor WVU's Morgantown campus. Further,
students, faculty and staff can
report violations
when they see them. Submissions will be handled with anonymity and help identify
additional locations where the rule frequently is violated.
Q. Is smoking in a personal vehicle on WVU property a violation of the rule?
A. Yes. As with the prior policy, smoking and tobacco use within
a personal, state or any other vehicle on University property is prohibited
in the updated rule.
Q. What about breaks for WVU employees?
A. University employees are limited to two 10-minute breaks per
day. As with the prior policy, breaks will not be extended for smoking and
tobacco use purposes.
Q. How can faculty and staff get involved to ensure our campuses are tobacco-
and smoke-free?
A. Faculty and staff should visit the
Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus
website to ensure they are familiar with the rule. Further, if faculty and
staff see someone violating the rule, they should respectfully remind the individual
that smoking and tobacco use is not permitted on WVU property. Faculty and
staff also may
report violations
via the
Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus
website.
Q. How can students get involved to ensure our campuses are tobacco- and
smoke-free?
A. Similar to faculty and staff, students should visit the
Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus
website to ensure they are familiar with the rule. Students also should respectfully
remind individuals who violate the rule that smoking and tobacco use is not
permitted on WVU property.
Students are encouraged to help the University promote overall health and
well-being across our campus community by signing up to be a
Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Ambassador. Students also may
report violations
of the rule via the
Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus
website.