The fourth goal of the University’s Strategic Plan is to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and healthy community. A specific strategy of this goal is to enhance the health and wellness of the community. Western Michigan University wants to provide and maintain an optimally healthy and safe working and living environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Recognizing the health, safety, and comfort benefits of smoke-free air and tobacco-free spaces WMU will be a tobacco-free campus September 1, 2014. Until this time, the current smoke-free policies remain in effect.

Effective September 1, 2014, the use of tobacco products is only permitted in enclosed personal vehicles. The use of tobacco products is not permitted indoors or outdoors on any University property. Tobacco products are defined to include the following: cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes, cigars, bidis, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew and any other non-combustible tobacco products.

Approval may be granted for limited tobacco use by an executive level committee consisting of the Provost, VP Business and Finance, the VP Student Affairs as well as consultation with the President. Approval will only be given for activities that are necessary in order to conduct essential University business. Exceptions will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Tobacco cessation programs are available at Sindecuse Health Center.

Respect and responsibility

The success of this policy relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of each individual. All members of the university community share the responsibility of adhering to and enforcing the policy and have the responsibility for bringing it to the attention of visitors. Any complaints should be brought to the attention of the appropriate university authority. Violation of this policy will be addressed through existing employee and students disciplinary processes. If conflicts or problems should arise, environmental, safety, and health considerations will prevail.

(Approved by the WMU Board of Trustees Dec. 5, 2013)

Recent news

KALAMAZOO—Acting at its Dec. 5 meeting, Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a measure to make WMU a tobacco-free campus, effective Sept. 1, 2014.