THE BG NEWS
FALCON DJ
University graduate Alex Davis works as a DJ for The Juice 107.3 and enjoys playing music for listeners. Check out his story in PULSE | PAGE 5
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Friday, November 2, 2012
VOLUME 92, ISSUE 33
University pledges climate neutrality
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
TOBACCO FREE SERIES | 3 OF 3
College campuses begin to filter out smoke Ohio universities consider passing tobacco, smoke-free policies
Effort inspires campus changes
By Danae King Campus Editor
By Christopher Brown Reporter
There is a growing movement across the country to create tobacco-free environments, and Ohio universities seem to be part of the movement. More than five Ohio colleges and universities have policies in place to limit tobacco use on campus, and tobacco-free campuses have significantly curbed smoking, said Kim Norris, spokesperson for the Ohio Board of Regents. Since the Ohio Board of Regents passed a recommendation in July that all Ohio colleges and universities go tobacco-free, a number of universities are considering policies, Norris said. “I have seen interest from many of the universities moving in that direction,” Norris said. “Several schools have taken up the topic and have discussions or formal meetings underway.” Kent State University is one of the schools that has begun to explore the possibility of a policy, said Emily Vincent, director of Media Relations at Kent State University. Kent State officials formed a committee to gather information and it is currently working on a survey that will go out to students, faculty and staff, Vincent said. “We’re raising the issue with members of the campus community, actively seeking input and the committee is meeting regularly about the recommendation,” Vincent said. “There is no set timeline, we want to make sure we have all the information necessary.” Miami University has a smoke-free policy that passed in Dec. 2007 and went into effect Aug. 1, 2008, said Claire Wagner, director of News and Communications at Miami. “In order to promote the health of our students, faculty, staff and visitors, all Miami University campuses are designated smoke-free environments. Smoking is defined as the burning of tobacco or any other material in any type of smoking equipment, including, but not restricted to, cigarettes, cigars or pipes,” according to the university’s website. The policy is enforced through signs posted around campus, asking employees seen smoking on the grounds to stop and through having a “firm, but courteous and respectful” interaction with smokers, according to the website. The University of Toledo also has a policy already in place addressing tobacco use on campus. The policy went into effect Aug. 15, 2011 and includes minor exemptions, said Lexi Blavos, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention specialist. The policy has minor exemptions, which means there are designated areas where students can smoke, Blavos said. The University of Toledo plans to eventually go to a completely tobacco-free campus, Blavos said. “Because of concern for students at night, we designed seven tobacco use areas outdoors,” Blavos said. “It’s for the safety of students at night. If they have to leave the grounds to smoke ... we don’t want them to get hit by a car.”
This past week, the University committed to reduce emissions and achieve climate-neutrality in the coming years by signing the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. On Oct. 24, National Campus Sustainability Day, President Mary Ellen Mazey signed the document and the University became the 661st school in the nation to join the pledge. The ACUPCC “is a high-visibility effort to address global climate disruption” and its mission “is to accelerate progress towards climate neutrality,” according to the organization’s website. Mazey said she first got the idea to look into the PCC after reading the book “No Impact Man,” the Common Reading Experience for 2011. She has prior experience with the pledge due to the institution she previously worked at, Auburn University, which signed on while she was there. Mazey said she was impressed by the University’s multiple programs and dedication to sustainability when she became president and wondered why The University had not signed on. The University approached the pledge in a unique way. Typically, when a school signs the pledge they have one year to create an inventory for greenhouse gas emissions and two years to develop an action plan to become climate nuetral, said Charles Onasch, professor and director of the School of Earth, Environment and Society. In addition, while the action plan is being developed, the institution has to initiate two or more tangible actions to reduce emissions, Onasch said. However, the University took a different approach and developed a
See TOBACCO | Page 10
See PLEDGE | Page 6
#ELECTIONS 2012
THE RACE FOR CONGRESS
TA K I N G A C L O S E R L O O K
2012
Job creation, economy number one for Latta By Danae King Campus Editor
Congress member Bob Latta is running for his fourth consecutive term because he believes citizens should do anything they can for the community. “I want to make sure I pass on a better America than I found,” Latta said. “I’m a believer in public service; I want to make sure to serve my district and the people who reside here.” Through his three terms as the representative for the 5th district, Latta has learned a few things. Latta, who grew up in Bowling Green and went to the University, understands the community, said Matt Reger, chair of the Wood County Republicans. “He understands that we grow things as an agricultural community and build things as
BASKETBALL TIPS OFF The mens’ basketball team faces central state (OH) Sunday at 2 p.m., in an exhibition match. It kicks off the regular season Nov. 9 against Lake Erie College. | PAGE 7
Bob Latta
Republican Congressional Candidate a manufacturing community,” Reger said. Latta is also a voice for the district in Washington, working for a balanced budget, Reger said. “[It’s not just] working with people at a local level, I understand you have to work with people in Washington,” Latta said. If re-elected, Latta plans to work on a few things he believes congress members can do together. “The number one issue in the whole campaign is jobs in the economy and making sure Americans have jobs and jobs
they want,” he said. “[There are] five areas to address to get those jobs back.” Number one is reducing overburdensome federal regulations, Latta said. “Businesses can’t keep up with all the regulations coming out of Washington,” he said. “A lot of the regulations don’t make sense.” Number two is repealing and replacing the healthcare law with a law the American people want, Latta said. Latta also named revising t he federa l ta x code, ma king energ y policies and eliminating the federal deficit as things he would work w ith Congress to do in order to create jobs, if elected. “I’ve been looking at legisla-
See LATTA | Page 6
Wicks, Brown face off for spot in Ohio House Kelly Wicks
Tim Brown
Democratic Candidate for Statehouse Five points of Kelly Wicks’ platform:
1. Increased funding for public education 2. Increased funding and access to higher education
Republican Candidate for Statehouse Five points of Tim Brown’s platform:
1. Restrict government regulations and mandates on business
2. Keep taxes low
3. Increased funding for infrastructure
3. Decrease government spending
4. Increased funding in county and local
4. Reform workers’ compensation to include
5. Policies that benefit small business
5. Create job training programs
governments
more transitional work duties
*Information pulled from the candidates’ websites and previous interviews for The BG News.
DON’T STASH THE ASH This week The BG News editorial staff writes about attempts to make the University tobacco free and possible compromises that could stop an outright ban on tobacco products. | PAGE 4
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO SMOKE ON CAMPUS? “On top of the University seal.” Andrew Hayes Junior, Sports Management