Keene State College is exploring the idea of becoming a tobacco free campus. Tiffany Matthews, coordinator of wellness education at the Center for Health and Wellness, made an appearance at Student Assembly to discuss the idea.
Between April, 9 and April 20 of 2012 the school conducted a two surveys, one for faculty and staff and one for students. The data from the survey showed that 54 percent of KSC students, staff and faculty are affected by tobacco products. Seventy-five percent of these members of the KSC community that were surveyed said they did not want to face these effects of tobacco on campus.
Matthews became part of the Tobacco Free Campus Task Force in fall of 2012 and is hoping to move forward with the groups plans.
Responding to a concern one member of student assembly had, Matthews said that other tobacco free campuses said the move to becoming tobacco free “helped them market their institution,” she said. In other words, tuition didn’t decrease with their move to a tobacco free campus, but it strengthened the institution’s mission.
Student Assembly voted to endorse the continued research of KSC becoming a tobacco free campus.
President Anne Huot also came to Student Assembly to comment on the Title IX reports that were made public on March 27. Huot said there hasn’t been a public outcry since the reports were released, not like some of the outcry last year when the story of misconduct on campus broke. Huot also said that while the school won’t know final enrollment numbers until after May 1, there are no indications that enrollment will decrease in 2015.
Shaun Filiault, one member of Student Assembly, raised a point of privilege in the assembly regarding how the Finance Committee and Student Assembly dealt with budget requests this year. The Finance Committee approved of 74 budget requests in recent weeks and sent emails to the groups they approved informing them what they received for next year. The problem, though, is that the Finance Committee doesn’t have the power to authorize any requests, only make recommendations.
“The Finance Committee recommends and the Student Assembly approves,” Filiault said, “That process wasn’t followed and it needs to be followed.”
In other news, Student Assembly approved of a transfer of funds for Habitat for Humanity.
Student Assembly also approved $857 for The Group Theatre to put on their own production. “It’s a great chance for students to take a hands on role,” one member of the group said. The future production will be completely run by students.
The assembly also approved $272.90 for the group Chock Full of Notes to aid the recording of their cd.
Skyler Frazer can be contacted at sfrazer@kscequinox.com