Faculty, students and staff who smoke on campus face possible restrictions and enforcement — ranging from the increased prohibition of smoking near building entrances to the possibility of a smoke-free campus — from two Student Government Association senators.
“(Hotel and Restaurant Management Sen. Dennis) Ha is working on a smoke-free campus. I’m trying to get UH police to be stricter on smoking around buildings,” Business Sen. Luis Rodriguez said. “I’ve been wanting to work on (legislation that) would have the UH police department give more citations.”
Ha said he wants to make UH a smoke-free campus, but this will take some time.
“It’s not the fact that people smoke, which is bad for their health, its (that) people who don’t smoke have a problem,” Ha said. “Our main objective will be a smoke-free campus, but you have to take it in small steps … we need to think about all the consequences if we take that away.”
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights created a list of the colleges and universities around the country that enforce smoke-free air policies, stating that there are at least 365 campuses — including 13 in Texas — that are smoke-free.
“Everyone has the right to do whatever they want as long as it does not infringe on someone else’s rights,” Rodriguez said. “Some people say that drinking is worse than smoking because you can’t drink and drive a car but you can smoke and drive just fine. However, there is toxicity in smoking … it isn’t just the smoke the person is smoking … but the secondhand and thirdhand smoke.”
Both senators stressed the unlikelihood of implementing a completely smoke-free campus in the immediate future.
“It’s not going to happen,” Rodriguez said. “If we were going to stop smoking we might as well shut down cellular towers because those could cause exposure to a lot of radiation. We’d also have to stop people from coming in with the flu. We can’t protect our body from every disease and external factor. The 20 feet around doors (restriction) is a great thing to do because it lets students get to where they need to without smoke in their face.”
Ha said that although a smoke-free campus would be ideal, he knows the reality of it happening is unlikely.
“What I and the Hilton College are worried about is that if we do become a smoke-free campus, we’ll lose students coming through to the college,” Ha said. “I’m also representing people who do smoke. If I’m only representing the voices of the non-smokers, then I’m not really doing my job.”
Rodriguez said one of the issues with transitioning a campus into a smoke-free environment is that in many foreign societies, smoking is the norm.
“We have a lot of international students … in their (cultures) it’s perfectly acceptable to smoke,” Rodriguez said. “In our culture, it’s less acceptable … I don’t want to say that in the U.S. it’s a taboo, but it’s less encouraged.”
The UH Police Department enforces the current restrictions on campus, which range from the 50-foot distance around the A.D. Bruce Religion Center to the common 20-foot distance from most buildings, but only on a minor basis.
“We don’t get many calls about it,” UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis said.
Davis said that although issuing citations to students smoking in non-smoking areas does occur, it is rare.
“I would hope that we could do it on an administrative level rather than a criminal level. When we get the occasional report, a staff or faculty member will let the department head handle it,” Davis said. “Most people will do what you ask if you talk to them.
“If you see someone smoking where they shouldn’t be, just tell them that they need to be at one of the smoking areas.”
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Lastly, and most importantly, SGA has had a bumpy year so far, we all acknowledge this. I applaud the research some of you have completed regarding the alleged abuses of power. I can't truly comment on those, since the evidence isn't definitively available. However, there are many students who are working hard to make this campus better, I know it's cliche, but it's true. SGA has a lot of work cut out for it in order to rebuild the students' faith in the organization, but it doesn't detract from the initiatives started by active Senators.
Marcella Leung
Thu Nov 12 2009 14:19
The issue was that Fomunung vetoed bill SGAB46005 because he said it was never presented to him. The bill called for a more fiscally responsible SGA. -- Please check this statement with President Fromunung. I believe that he may have a different perspective on why he did not sign the bill.
Motivation for running for SGA President:
My motivation (to run for SGA president) stems from the fact that I come from a small country, Cameroon, where the opportunity for higher education has been designated by the government as a privilege rather than a necessity,” Fomunung said. (Note how he mentions nothing about helping out the student body)
“I had declared my candidacy when I found out that my brother had won his campaign, and his victory inspired me to win this election,” Fomunung said. (Note how he once again mentions nothing about helping students as a motivating factor)
“I will not deny the appeal to self-interest on campaigning. One of the reasons was obviously the implication for (my) résumé”(Note now he mentions that becoming SGA President will help him get into law school).
“(The election results) tell me that the students embraced MY vision for progressive change in SGA,” Fomunung said. “It encourages ME to believe that I really can achieve the unity that I seek.” (Notice the “me’s” and “I’s” in there. He never mentions “we” or “students.”
These quotes on motivation are telling in why it is that Kenneth Fomunung ran for office.
Platform:“This meeting in Clear Lake is going to be pretty much electing new leaders and setting up an agenda for this coming year,” Wilson said. april 24 (At the time of this quote the President and Vice President had not release their agenda for the 46th administration)
The Lies:
“I’m reaching out to members of the 45th administration, the incumbent senators, for their experience,” SGA President Kenneth Fomunung said
Fomunung said what went on at the Oct. 28 meeting and the subsequent arguments brought the SGA together and helped address communication issues that were a growing problem. (Referring to the inter turmoil occurring because of lack of communication)
“What I have noticed ever since is that we have actually been more proactive in our approach, and people come together. I have since had meetings with Speaker Pro Tem Kilroy among others, and we have had conversations and realized the hard way that communication is essential. (Turns out he never reached out the members of SGA until much later…… actually this story was posted on November 12… hummm it took Kenneth Fomunung that long to figure out communication was the key to success.)
Plain Craziness:
“Impeach me if I really just lose sight of what I was elected to do, but at the same time, I ask that you bear with me. Things are not always going to go the way you want.”
“I am not so against it. I just don’t like the notion that by not attending Senate meetings, the president is not acting out (his) duties,” Fomunung said (regarding a bill that would require the President to not miss more than 4 months worth of meetings, I don’t think he lost sight… I think he never had sight)
Kenneth Fomunung “I didn't plan on being at the SGA Senate meeting tonight but...wow, what an experience.”
His recent illegal actions by violating the constitution, and forcing the senate to pass unnecessary legislation, his immoral actions in taking STUDENT’S MONEY so he can live on campus and his ridiculous rhetoric is disgusting. There are not enough senators out there that are willing to see corruption. It is the same individuals that will be passivists in life. Too weak or meek or shy or mature enough to stand up for what is right. Challenge authority, challenge leadership positions.. It is not a right to hold an elective office it is a privilege, do not take this privilege for granted.