The Ranger Online

Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Opinion

Smoking ban turns addicts into criminals

When will the district recognize that students are responsible adults able to make rational choices, even if risk is involved?

On Aug. 27 smoking became illegal on this campus, even in the parking lots. The new smoking policy greatly diminishes smokers' ability to exercise that freedom.

Until now, an effective compromise had existed, with smoking permitted in designated areas on the outskirts of campus.

The concerns of most people involved were effectively balanced: Smokers had a place to smoke, and nonsmokers were not bothered with health issues.

However, this was not enough for antismoking zealots who planned to slowly weed out smoking altogether on this campus.

Such a draconian measure has led only to disobedience.

Because the ashtrays have been removed, we now spend our days walking through a campus littered with more cigarette butts than when smoking was allowed.

Also, nonsmoking signs read that this campus has been a smoke-free environment since Aug. 22, 2005, but smoking was allowed in the parking lots.

Not only do we need new signs, but the smoking ban seems to be causing a bigger problem ... littering.

As of now, students can smoke in their cars and even have the windows rolled down, but no one wants to walk two miles to a car in between classes to relieve the everyday stress of school.

If anyone is lucky enough to get a space in the parking lot and they step outside of their vehicle with a cigarette in hand, they are now in violation of the new smoking policy.

The reasoning behind the ban is weak, with health "protection" cited. This is a mere manifestation of a domineering, regulatory tendency, and we can only expect more control on other activities as time goes on.

Students and employees who smoke shouldn't be made to feel like criminals because of an addiction.

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Campus involvement leads to careers

Students don't need an editorial to tell them that being more involved in campus clubs makes for a better academic career.

Studies done by Alexander Astin, a professor emeritus at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, explains in his research how student involvement directly impacts a student's motivation to remain in school, apply for graduate or professional schools and to excel academically.

The problem is not that students are not aware of information like this, it's just that they don't care.

One of the reputations that this college and other two-year institutions have, whether fairly or unfairly attributed, is that this place is just another high school to attend after receiving a diploma or a GED.

Why would students want to further this stigma by joining clubs and organizations on top of a busy work and class schedule, a family or single life outside of school and possibly a nagging desire not to even be here?

While one of the purposes of a club is to be a social gathering of like-minded students, it also can be a launching pad to a professional career derived from the professional network and club activities.

This is a far cry from feeling like you're just in high school all over again.

Student involvement in campus clubs, while at times may be a sacrifice and at times may seem sophomoric, it is ultimately an investment that boils down to the adage, "What you put into it, is what you get out of it."

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Free shuttles beat waiting, walking

Most students have found themselves driving around endlessly in the parking lots waiting for a space to open up, staring at the half-finished parking garage wondering when it will open.

Instead of sitting in your car daydreaming about parking garages, why not try alternate forms of entertainment, like reading the newspaper on the shuttle that transports you from off-campus parking lots to campus for free with a college ID.

VIA buses continue to serve the Finesilver, Alamo Stadium, Tri-Point, White Rabbit and Josephine Theatre parking lots. Routes 600 and 601 ferry students between off-campus parking lots and to the college.

Students need only a SAC ID card available in Room 260B of Loftin Student Center or they can pay $1 per ride. The shuttles run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additional lots include at Atomix, PJ's, Flores Marriage Family Counseling, Heat, The Saint, Silver Dollar, Park Place West and San Pedro Playhouse.

Spaces are also available along San Pedro Avenue but keep in mind that the San Pedro Library parking lot is metered.

For night students, parking spots designated for faculty and staff are available for student parking after 5 p.m.

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