Within the next two weeks Interhall will conduct a survey of dorm residents to determine whether or not the current smoking policy is outdated.
Although Interhall examined this issue two years ago with a different survey, no action was ever taken.
Interhall adviser and Associate Director of Residence Life Todd Harris said he cannot guess at the results, but knows that there are some students who would welcome a change.
“I know I’ve heard students say they want smoke-free buildings. I think that these students may not have the loudest voice, and that’s a part of why we’re doing the survey,” Harris said.
According to Stephanie Lynch, director of Residence Life, of the approximately 1,500 freshmen, only about 100 declared themselves smokers on their housing forms.
“Other colleges and universities have gotten away from allowing [smoking in dorms] to the extent that Georgetown does. We need to get more information to find out if there is a desire and a need to provide other options,” Lynch said.
Annie O’Brien (NHS ’06), a non-smoker who is allergic to cigarette smoke, finds no problem with the current policy.
“I don’t think it’s a problem as long as they’re not subjecting people to it who don’t want to be exposed to it. I just think it causes a problem when smokers crowd the library doorway because they’re obeying university policy, but everyone has to walk through it,” she said.
“Few people enjoy the way a smoker’s room and clothes smell,” one smoker said. He doesn’t think smoking in individual rooms, however, should be banned.
“I think that your choice is your choice. I’ve never felt that smoking in your own room would bother other people than people living in the room. I’ve never heard anyone complain about it,” he said.
Another smoker who asked to remain anonymous felt the opposite way.
“I think I would like [smoke-free dorms]. When you’re not smoking, cigarette smoke is not a pleasant smell,” she said.
A change in the policy would affect people besides those who live in residence halls. Resident Assistants could become responsible for writing up students who do not obey the rules.
Resident Assistant Jason Atwood (COL ’04) would welcome the change in the policy.
“I think it’d make it a lot easier,” he said. “Our walls are thin, and smoke doesn’t stay in people’s rooms. If there are a lot of kids smoking, and it comes into the hall, it’s one of those gray areas where we don’t know if we have to write them up. We were all surprised when [the new Southwest Quadrangle] wasn’t designated non-smoking.”
He estimated that four or five rooms on his floor contained one or two smokers.
Atwood found that Jack Kennedy (C ’52), the namesake of Kennedy Hall, was also surprised to find that the building was not non-smoking when Atwood gave him a tour of the hall after its dedication.
“Mr. Kennedy was a bit shocked and surprised that it was not non-smoking, as he obviously
wanted it to be so to preserve the condition of the building as long as possible,” Atwood said.
At this point, no decision has been made regarding an official policy change.
“To my knowledge, there has not been any real conversation with the administration about changing the policy,” Harris said.
Interhall must see the results of the survey before making any recommended changes in policy to the administration.
The survey, which will be administered in either Red Square or in residence halls through resident assistants, will also deal with other residence issues. Some questions will deal with improving outdoor residence areas, such as the small New South courtyard, and adding grills or permanent swings to the Village B courtyard.
