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Smoke-free campus next move for Tech SAWYER NEWMAN Lode Writer As early as this November, Michigan Tech will move ahead with a smoke free campus campaign. The initial stages of the campaign will focus on educating the relevant public on the reasons for such a movement, which according to administration, are due to rising health care costs, litter prevention efforts and the desire for a more welcoming campus environment. After the passing of Proposal 16-94 in 1994, 774 completely smoke free campuses have come into existence. In Michigan, there are already 21
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colleges that have gone 100 percent smoke free, including University of Michigan, Hope College and Northwestern Michigan College. In Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma, laws have been adopted that “require all college and universities within the jurisdiction be 100 percent smoke free with no exemptions.” One of the main forces behind anti-tobacco movements is an organization known as the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR). The ANR describes themselves as being “the leading national lobbying organization dedicated to nonsmokers’ rights.” They strive to provide clean air for the public and focus on educating people on the health effects of smoking tobacco products. Currently, Michigan Tech’s Executive Team has charged the tobacco free campus team with the goal of becoming tobacco free by the fall semester of 2013. This may seem rushed for students who were unaware of this movement, but a 3 to 5 year plan had been made
in 2011 to assess the impacts of becoming a tobacco-free campus. Also the country, as well as Tech’s campus, has made legitimate efforts to become increasingly smoke free over the course of the past couple of decades. A smoking survey was conducted in the spring and summer semesters of 2012 that polled students and faculty. 36 percent of the graduate and undergraduate student population responded to the survey. Results showed that 40 percent of students surveyed thought smoking should be permitted on campus, 45 percent believed smoking should not be permitted and the remaining 15 percent responded with indifference. 23.3 percent of the students surveyed admitted to smoking and 8 percent have used chewing tobacco. The smoke free movement corresponds with the Counseling Services’ focus on holistic wellness. As seen on the Counseling Services Wellness information page, “A person who focuses on wellness: 1) avoids smoking;
2) drinks in moderation if at all; 3) limits his or her intake of fats, sugars and processed foods; 4) exercises regularly; 5) practices adequate relaxation; and 6) actively works with his or her doctor to prevent or manage disease.”
It is not clear how this policy will be enforced by administration or if there will be other health movements made on campus. More information will be given as the campaign progresses.
Women’s soccer still #1 ELLIE FURMANSKI Lode Writer The Michigan Tech Women’s Soccer team survived another weekend with the number one target on their back. With two home wins against the University of Findlay and Tiffin University, the soccer team now stands with a perfect 5-0 GLIAC record, 7-2 overall this season, making them first in the conference standings. The soccer team’s conference home opener was on Friday, September 28 against Findlay. A goal
scored by Danna Kasom in the ninth minute put the Huskies on the scoreboard early in the first half for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, teammate Lindsey Van Rooy put the ball into the back of the net to raise the score 2-0. The first half ended without any further scoring. The Oilers came out hungry and looking to score in the second half of the game. Findlay’s Megan Gallaway headed the ball in off of a corner kick in the 68th minute to tighten the gap 2-1. Luckily for the Huskies, a strong defensive effort held off the Oilers’ offense for the remainder of the game. Continued on page 14
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