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New restrictions are going to make smoking areas at Calvin smaller this fall.

The new restrictions were introduced in a letter addressed to Calvin community members and signed by Calvin President Gaylen Byker and Student Senate President Jeremy Konyndyk.

Coming fall of 1999, says the letter, smoking will be allowed in designated smoking areas but prohibited “within fifty feet of all pedestrian entrances to campus buildings or where clearly posted.”

Interim Vice President for Student Life David Hoekema explained some of the reasons behind the new policy. “We get a lot of complaints from parents and even students about all the butts that clutter the area,” he said.

“Some people are really sensitive to cigarette smoke,” he added, and in order to enter the buildings “they in effect have to go through a screen of smoke.”

From the letter . . . The following appeared in bold print in the letter sent to students: “Beginning in fall 1999, smoking near campus buildings will be allowed in designated areas. These designated areas will be clearly marked by cigarette butt receptacles and strategic arrows pointing to the specific smoking area. A number of these are under cover, thus not requirings smokers to stand in rain or snow. Some key locations on campus previously frequented by smokers will now be clearly designated as non-smoking with appropriate signs. Students, staff members, and visitors will be allowed to smoke while walking on the sidewalks, but all smoking materials must be extinguished and discarded in appropriate receptacles before entering a non-smoking area (normally within fifty feet of an entrance).”

Hoekema also pointed out that, “we’re not going to put people in the swamp – it’s an attempt to make sure the prime real estate around the entrance is free of smokers.”

Part of the issue at hand, said Hoekema, is that “we want everyone who is smoking to quit.

“Yet,” he was quick to add, “we know that it’s extremely difficult to quit and we don’t want to infringe on people’s freedom.”

The new restrictions will be enforced by the honour system, says Hoekema. “We expect smokers to comply. ... We were not willing to get Campus Safety or the RD’s involved. ... But if it turns out that the policy isn’t very effective, we’ll have to review it.”

Student reaction is varried.

“This is cutting out equal rights here,” said freshman and smoker Evan Koons, “it won’t work.”

Responding to concerns about non-smoking students having to walk through undesired cigarette smoke near dorm entrances, freshman Eric Venema, who also smokes, suggested that a smoker’s dorm be implemented. This way, he said, no one would have to worry about walking through unwanted smoke.

Others didn’t think the policy will mean much change. “I don’t think it will be that much of a problem,” said Naomi Mackenzie, another smoker. “It’s not that much of a difference anyway.”

Senior Jamie Botsko, who does not smoke, supports the new policy. “I think it’s a fine idea.

“It seems that non-smoking students who have to enter buildings through entrances are forced to walk through parties of smokers and that causes great discomfort to us,” he said.

But regardless of how students feel, Calvin is firm on the issue. “If our campus continues to be littered with tossed cigarette butts or if the new guidelines are disregarded,” says the letter, “the future of smoking tolerance on our campus will be in jeopardy.”