Thursday, March 1, 2012
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SCENE, PAGE 10
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University Gets Burned for Tobacco Policy Smoking policy leads to low grade on county health report Tani Pozirekides The Santa Clara
Santa Clara received a “D” grade for its on-campus tobacco use policies in a study conducted by the Santa Clara Department of Public Health. While the sale of tobacco on campus is prohibited, the study found that the tobacco use policy is “considerably weaker than the majority of colleges in Santa Clara County, which prohibit smoking on campus or limit smoking to parking lots,” according to the official report. While Santa Clara prohibits tobacco within 25 feet of all buildings and stadiums, there was “limited information about the policy and placement of ash cans near buildings can result in individuals smoking near entry ways and windows.” In most cases, students are not even aware of the 25-foot rule. “I personally wasn’t aware that we even had a 25-foot rule for a smoking policy,” said junior Taylor Womack. “I don’t think that smoking is a huge issue on campus, but I definitely think that people are unaware of the 25 foot rule and I’ve seen people break it.” In addition to tobacco sales and the oncampus smoking policies, many other categories contribute to the grade. Education and enforcement and effectiveness of the current policy were also considered, said Kim Homer Vagadori, the project director of the California Youth Advocacy Network, which conducted the survey. According to the Santa Clara Student Handbook, the smoking policy states that Santa Clara has adopted a nonsmoking policy. Smoking is prohibited at all times in all university facilities that house offices, work areas, classrooms or residence rooms. Members of the community who choose to smoke must reamin at least 25 feet from any building openings. While Santa Clara received a “D” grade, both San Jose State and Stanford University received an “F” due to their allowance of tobacco sales on their respective campuses. Despite achieving a higher grade, “Santa Clara has one of the weakest smoke-free policies of all of the colleges in the country,” said Vagadori. Though the smoking policy is considered very weak by the Department of Health, Kim Gilkey, assistant dean for Off Campus Student Life, doesn’t believe that there is a prevalent amount of tobacco use on campus. “There’s not a preponderance of people smoking on campus, and there’s no smoking in the residence halls,” said Gilkey. The Health Department report found that Santa Clara needed to provide training
RYAN SELEWICZ — THE SANTA CLARA
The university puts in place certain restrictions regarding smoking on campus; however, the policies still remain fairly tolerant of smokers. Although smoking is strictlyprohibited at all times in university facilities, members of the community can still choose to smoke as long as they remain 25 feet away from any on-campus buildings.
See LOCAL, Page 4
Competition Rises for Study Abroad As applicant pool increases acceptance becomes more difficult Matthew Rupel and Mandy Ferreira The Santa Clara
With the university’s expanding student population, the International programs Office has seen an explosion of interest. While more students are being approved to study abroad, the waitlist has also grown from years past.
Off to a strong start Baseball picks up two wins over weekend
SPORTS, PAGE 15
As of Tuesday, 409 students had been approved to go abroad, a 46 percent increase over last year’s study abroad participation. The waitlist currently stands at 46, an increase from last year’s 35. The lack of spots has led students to look for alternative opportunities. Sophomore Eliza Gonzalez decided to take fall quarter off and backpack around the world after being waitlisted. “I am really excited about (the trip),” said Gonzalez. “My heart is in it and I am going to learn a lot more about myself.” After the initial round of applicants was approved, 70 students were placed on the waitlist. Those on the waitlist were given four options: students could redirect their applications to one of the other programs,
they could defer their applications to one of the winter or spring programs, they could reapply to a summer program or apply again next year. The process to petition was more intensive this year partly due to an increase in the student body. To accommodate the increase in applications, more requirements were placed on students to be approved to study abroad. Students were asked to submit a course proposal, as well as complete a questionnaire about their desired country of study. Santa Clara prides itself on having a selective study abroad program, according to See FORTY-SIX, Page 5
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