TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Keeping on track with its healthy campus initiatives, Stillman College has announced that it is now an official Smoke Free campus. This effort places Stillman on an increasingly growing list of colleges and universities that have implemented similar policies.
“We have a responsibility to our students and employees to provide a safe and healthful environment,” said Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Sharon Whittaker Davis.
Stillman’s smoke free journey began almost one year ago with campus surveys in the spring of 2014 followed by a final documented policy completed this past summer and initial implementation plans announced to campus as early as August of this academic year.
“With the documented health hazards associated with tobacco use, our policy was established to reflect and emphasize these hazards and to provide a healthy environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. In addition, we needed to encourage and support personal wellness and stewardship for the environment,” said Davis.
As a smoke free campus, the use of tobacco products including electronic cigarettes in all of Stillman’s facilities, at college sponsored events and within its college-owned vehicles is prohibited. The policy applies to students, employees and visitors to campus.
“The smoke free policy on campus is a good one to have. It makes the campus more inviting to the students and visitors. For those who may have respiratory health challenges and want to visit campus, now being smoke free, makes them more comfortable with our environment,” said Ayana Hendricks, a senior elementary education major.
Information regarding the benefits of the policy is visible around campus as well as being distributed to the Stillman community.
Founded in 1876, Stillman College is a private liberal arts institution committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama the historically Black college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. Ninety-two percent of Stillman’s stellar faculty holds terminal degrees, giving it a national reputation for academic excellence. It provides outstanding programs in the biological sciences, business administration and teacher education. The Harte Honors College and pre-professional programs in law and medicine provide an elite educational opportunity for students – many of whom are first generation college students. Approximately 80 percent of its students are from Alabama with the overall student population representing 22 states and six foreign countries.
