PLEASE STAFF OFF CAMPUS UNTIL 4 P.M. FOR YOUR SAFETY.

Following the July 26 Board of Trustee’s meeting, at which the Board adopted a new smoking policy for the college, South Puget Sound Community College is now tobacco-free. The new policy began as a student initiative in 2008.

“The students had indicated an interest in changing the way we handled smoking on campus,” Chief Human Resources Officer Sheila Emery said. “It’s also a huge workload for security and our custodians and groundskeepers. All those things came together.”

The new policy makes the campus tobacco free with one exception; tobacco use inside privately owned vehicles in parking lots on campus is allowed.

“It’s got to be in your vehicle,” Director of Security Lonnie Hatman said. “Not anywhere else.”

The policy applies to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. It also applies to “smokeless” and electronic cigarettes, so there’s no confusion the policy is in effect.

The policy will take affect with the start of fall quarter on Sept. 19. Signage will be added to each campus entrance to inform visitors and students.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Office of Security at (360) 596-5299.

Read the Official Smoking Policy on the policies page.

Summer quarter begins Tuesday, July 5.

For closure cancellation information on public events scheduled for the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, please call 360-753-8585 and/or check www.washingtoncenter.org.