A committee investigating UW-Platteville’s smoking policy proposed a referendum that could prohibit smoking on some parts of campus and increase fines for smoking violations.The Student Senate ad hoc committee investigating the smoking policy gave its final presentation Jan. 28 outlining its findings and suggestions. In their report, committee members said the current smoking policy is unsatisfactory, difficult to enforce and lacks adequate penalties.

“The sanctions prescribed are so minimal they do not act as a deterrent,” Jeffrey Schwan, ad hoc committee chairman who led the presentation, said. The committee suggested imposing a $50 fine for any smoking violation.

The committee also suggested that Student Senate authorize a referendum regarding a change to the campus smoking policy. If the referendum passed, the committee suggested prohibiting smoking in the academic sector of campus, east of Longhorn Drive and the Southwest Hall walking path. The rest of campus would follow the current policy with the only change being the increase in forfeiture.

The ad hoc committee was formed Nov. 5 after Schwan received feedback from one of his constituents, Brittany DuCharme, Rich Egley, administrative liaison to Student Senate, said. The committee consists of DuCharme and six senators: Schwan, Joshua DeWitt, Trischia Hall, Damian Nevers, Jordan O’Connell and Nathan Wait.

According to the final report, the committee used multiple methods to develop their conclusions. The members held meetings and an open forum for discussion; conducted research regarding health effects of smoke, state laws and UW System policies; and looked at the entrances to buildings on campus. According to the current policy, smoking cannot take place within 25 feet of any building entrance.

The committee also distributed a survey regarding smoking habits and the campus policy to approximately 400 students, Schwan said.

“We determined that the results cannot be used and are not reliable at all,” Schwan, political science major and senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Education, said. The committee reached that decision because they only received 69 completed surveys.

There were mixed reactions among those present at the meeting.

“I think they’ve done good work and taken a reasonable approach to the matter,” Egley said.

Student Senate President Frank Moullet commended the committee for its work, but still had concerns.

“This kind of makes me wonder what we’re doing to the five to seven hundred students on campus who smoke,” Moullet, who is a smoker, said. “What are we going to do to take our smokers into consideration?”

Senator April Fuhr asked about the possibility of having designated areas for smokers on campus. Such areas would give smokers less distance to travel between classes and in case of inclement weather.

“If it’s raining, I’m capable of putting up an umbrella,” Egley, who is a smoker, said. “If it’s cold, I’m capable of dressing in layers.”

The senate did not vote on the proposed referendum, instead agreeing to discuss the report and suggestions further at its next meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 in the University Rooms of the Pioneer Student Center. Also, the report could be presented to other governance bodies on campus.

“Since this is not a concern or issue confined to students, the best policy is that all three campus governments have their input submitted to Chancellor Markee,” Egley said.

The committee’s proposal is on the agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 5, in the University Rooms.