Complying with New Campus Smoking Policy at Ellis Library

Jim Cogswell recently met with several library staff about how best to comply with the new smoking directive on campus while accommodating the needs of both smokers and non-smokers in Ellis Library. The new policy states that smoking must take place at least 20 feet from public buildings.

The staff group agreed to have Campus Facilities move the urns at both the north and west entrances to Ellis Library to spots twenty feet or more from the main doors. Urns at the north entrance will be placed only at the eastern edges of the approach to the stairway so that non-smokers will be able to avoid smoke by keeping to the western edge of the stairway.

A request will be made to Campus Facilities that they consider installing canopied tables with chairs at the west entrance (similar to those now in place on the walkway east of Memorial Union tower). Perhaps two or as many as four might be installed along the curved wall that forms the western edge of the area outside the west entrance. These would provide some shelter for smokers during inclement weather and would also provide additional outdoor seating in the plaza area.  Finally, the urn that is now located at the loading dock should be removed. Currently there are no staff members who use that area for smoking, and it is not a public entrance. If it is determined later that an urn is needed, one will be requested.

Pat Jones will be working with Campus Facilities on these changes.