ASMSU passes bill to support reducing smoking on campus

By Rachel Jackson | Originally Published: 02/16/12 9:55pm |

Members of several ASMSU committees continued discussions on bills introduced earlier this semester, revisiting the debates about creating a smoke-free campus and improving residence hall security systems.

ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

ASMSU’s Executive Committee on Student Affairs moved forward on a controversial bill to address smoking on campus.

After amendments to allow for further discussion of reducing smoking on campus rather than creating an entirely smoke-free campus, committee members voted 7-0 to pass the bill, moving it to the General Assembly next week for an additional vote.

The bill has been the subject of considerable discussion from all three of MSU’s largest student governmental bodies. ASMSU has joined the Residence Halls Association and the Council of Graduate students in moving forward on the discussion of reforming smoking policies on campus.

ASMSU Arab Cultural Society representative Monica Shammas said she amended the bill to focus on a reform to current smoking policies at MSU after hearing discussions of concerns representatives had at previous meetings.

The Student Affairs Committee also resumed discussion on a bill regarding the card-scanning access systems installed in residence halls. The bill also was introduced two weeks ago by College of Natural Science representative Mitch Treadwell, but was tabled for further discussion.

Treadwell said despite restrictions to students who live in certain neighborhoods on campus, some students still can hold open the door for anyone regardless of where they live.

He said on-campus residents should have to accompany nonresidents into residence halls for them to gain access.

“(That) is how the system is now in theory but not in practice,” he said.

ASMSU College of Business representative Ben Wernette said although resolving the safety concerns students have with the system is important, the system should not be reduced only because of an inconvenience.

“I feel that reform is definitely needed in the residence halls, … but decreasing the security won’t do it,” he said.

Members of ASMSU’s Academic Assembly also passed a bill for ASMSU to discuss internships and assessment of credit hours with MSU administrators.

The bill was brought up at the previous Academic Assembly meeting but was tabled until more information about different internship requirements could be obtained.

The Assembly voted to take a general approach in advocating for changes to internship policies and wait to determine details with faculty and deans in further discussions.