ASNAU SENATE MEETING #8
TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Date: November 1, 2013
Date of Senate Meeting: October 31, 2013
Number on council: 12
Number present: 12
Prepared by Amy Edgerton
Senate Chairwoman Shayla Woodhouse called the Senate meeting of the 2013-2014
Associated Students of Northern Arizona University Senate to order at 5:02 P.M. in the
Havasupai Room A & B of the University Union.
Roll Call
The following Senators were not present at the meeting:
-All Present
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Senator Howard move to approve the minutes from last week’s Senate
meeting
Second: Senator Ortega
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, last week’s minutes have now been approved.
Call to the Audience
Tobacco Free NAU – Charles is the founder and president of the NAU Tobacco Rights
Campaign. He has come to ask ASNAU to acknowledge these rights. The email sent out by
ASNAU with the survey only elicited a response from 234 students, and Charles does not
feel that this is an accurate representation of the wishes of the student body, with over
50% unheard. He believes that forcing students to travel off campus to relieve stress and a
physical need is not fair. A public college environment should serve these rights and not
restrict them. Charles and the others in this campaign realize that one of the reasons for
Tobacco Free NAU is to help the health of students, but not one tobacco user he knows
thinks it is healthy to smoke, but even with this knowledge they do it. It is also within
international culture that smoking is acceptable, and to ban tobacco is disrespectful to the
culture of the international students here on campus. Chewing tobacco and other tobacco
products don’t affect secondhand smoke, and should not be included in this initiative.
Charles addresses Alexis, who is here to represent the Tobacco Free NAU Initiative, why
these other tobacco products are included in the policy. She says that it could be negligent
to cut out health concerns to students if these things are not also included in the policy.
Charles points out that the oils in fried foods on campus are also of a great health risk to
students, and these are not currently being removed. He also wants to know how this
initiative will effectively be enforced. Taking away tobacco is like taking away food for
some people, who can develop depression, anxiety, and other issues in the face of quitting.
Charles uses the example of a student who has just gotten out of a final, and doesn’t have
time to go all the way off campus to smoke a cigarette before his or her next final. This
student still needs the stress relief and will be denied rights without the capability of
lighting a cigarette on campus on the way to the next final. Charles held and online
survey/petition in which there was a response of 102 students, 74% of which said they
would be against the Tobacco Free NAU Initiative. Also, when Charles and his friends went
around campus asking if NAU students felt their health was threatened by smokers on
campus, 15% replied yes while 85% replied no. He is not asking ASNAU to deny the policy
to the fullest extent, but to please consider all the perspectives of students and those of the
people who won’t have a say, which includes incoming and current freshmen.
Questions: Senator Simon tends to agree with Charles’ argument about student rights, but
believes that there are points of his that don’t line up. She doesn’t think the physical need is
the best argument, because some could argue about a physical need for something like an
addiction to heroin. However, she believes the health factor of the food on campus is a good
argument, as it is equally dangerous. She asks Charles if he thinks that, in the event of the
Tobacco Free NAU Initiative being fully passed, he would quit smoking or make the effort
to travel off campus to smoke. She also asks what he believes his friend’s answers to this
question would be. Charles explains that he one day hopes to quit smoking, and maybe the
initiative would inspire him to pursue this, as he would respect the rules put in place. This
being said, at least in the beginning he would definitely have to go off campus to smoke.
President Mastrud points out that Alexis from SHAC is here and she thanks her for coming
to be a part of this discussion. She doesn’t believe ASNAU was the group to send out the
survey last year, as Charles has said. Alexis says that it was sent out through one of the
emails that students get sent every week. President Mastrud asks, in regards to the survey
done by Charles and the NAU Tobacco Rights Campaign, if there was anyway of recording
multiple votes by the same person. He says yes, there was. Spencer asks about the
consideration of environmental factors, because even though there are currently
designated smoking and disposal areas she still sees cigarette butts everywhere around
campus. She thinks it would be beneficial for Charles to include something about this in his
argument. In response to this, Charles adds that if the policy were put in place, he would
assume that the cigarette disposals would be removed, resulting in even more cigarette
butts around campus. Andrew, who is in the audience, says that tobacco has been around
for a long time, and this policy would be more effectively put into place if NAU pushed
those addicted to nicotine into using things like E-Cigarettes as an alternative to smoking.
Changing the campaign to focus on a healthier generation with this aspect would make it an
easier transition. It is pointed out by Charles that within the initiative, E-Cigarettes are
being made illegal too. Alexis adds that they are included in the initiative, but E-Cigarettes
are not the only alternative. There is also the option of gum or patches, which are available
currently. VP Cooper explains that exec has been working closely with SHAC and it is
dangerous to throw around the word illegal. Because students will not be fined or ticketed,
this is more of a social change. From a legal standpoint no one will be targeted. He asks that
Charles and the NAU Tobacco Rights Campaign be careful using the term illegal because
people should understand the truth about this initiative. Maddie, who is in the audience,
asks what the status of this initiative is, and if SHAC intends on this for sure happening next
year. Alexis explains that SHAC has met with President Haeger numerous times and is
going to talk to the Vice President as well as see how ASNAU votes, but as of right now
SHAC cannot be entirely sure if this will happen next year or not. Senator Cabral asks Alexis
what SHAC’s stance is on designated smoking zones, she says that SHAC has researched
this, but decided to go tobacco free because this supports what they want here at NAU.
Having designated smoking areas would not accomplish their goals surrounding student
and environment health efficiently. They aren’t making any changes at NAU, and if there
are designated smoking areas the students that they are looking to protect are still exposed
to secondhand smoke and environment is still being hurt. Charles agrees that areas that
give off secondhand smoke are still affecting students, but suggests that if these areas were
far back and off the main sidewalks students will not be bothered. President Mastrud asks
if Charles knows specifically how many international students are on campus. He doesn’t
know. President Mastrud says it is important to keep the international students in mind but
to also keep in mind the whole student body. Alexis offers that there are roughly 1800
international students. 9 out of the top 15 universities with international students are
tobacco free. ASU is tobacco free and they are number 15 on this list, their policy was
created last year. Chyna says she is on one of the extreme ends; she is allergic to cigarette
smoke and has to get treatments biannually because of effects on her body. Smoke travels,
and she doesn’t want to be in pain because of it and it is important to note that there are
others like her. Senator Gorshe tells Senator Simon that heroin isn’t legal and therefore her
argument (seen at the very beginning of the questions portion) is invalid. He goes on to
thank Charles for being here. He asks if he has started an organization on campus. Charles
has been trying, but not yet been approved. Senator Gorshe asks about female opinion.
Charles says that he talked to some people outside Reilly that were smoking hookah,
including many girls, and they agreed. Senator Gorshe asks how these girls felt knowing
that if this policy were to be put into place, they would have to go off campus to smoke.
They thought it was unfair and used inappropriate words. Senator Gorshe asks if the girls
were specifically concerned about their safety. Yes. Someone approached Charles last week
about the fact that buses will take students off campus for sorority and fraternity parties,
but this service will not be provided for smokers, and they do not think this is fair. Senator
Gorshe asks Charles what he thinks is unsafe about students having to go off campus to
smoke. He says it is not a major safety issue unless there are drivers who cannot see you at
night, but it is still a concern. Senator Gorshe asks him if he personally is fine walking off
campus in the middle of the night. He feels weird about it but yes. He says he’s been almost
run over in the middle of the day so it would be weird to go off campus.
Chairwoman Woodhouse says for the sake of time Senate can continue this as a discussion
item or senators can research the matter further and talk about it in the future.
President Mastrud tells Charles that the university is not what requires busses for the
Greek life parties; it is the national chapters that do this. Senator Simon says she has
already researched and would be fine having the discussion today. Senator Libby agrees.
Senator Gorshe asks the presenters if they might stay for the discussion at the end. They
agree to do so.
Unfinished Business
Motion: Senator Cabral move to remove Item B: Club Recognition: NAU Photography from
the table
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item B: Club Recognition: NAU Photography has been removed from the
table.
Motion: Senator Ortega move to vote on Item B: Club Recognition: NAU Photography
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: This club is for photography majors and people who are excelling in the field.
They wanted a group of people who wished to explore photography without the classes.
The Club plans to go out on shoots together and bond, and will carpool and share gas costs
for these trips. It is a way to collaborate if you want to go beyond classes or don’t have the
time to take classes. Club will meet during the first Tuesday of each month, and they have
already elected a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There was a photo
club in the past, and now it is reemerging with more interest.
Questions: Senator Cabral recommends no names in the constitution so the club doesn’t
have to change it every year when new officers are elected.
Vote: Unanimous, Item B: Club Recognition: NAU Photography has been approved
Motion: Senator Ortega move to vote on Item C: SB 26-16: Northern Arizona University
Bass Jacks, $2500
Chairwoman Woodhouse points out that the item must first be removed from the table
before it can be voted on.
Rescind: Senator Ortega rescinds her previous motion to vote
Motion: Senator Ortega move to remove Item C: SB 26-16: Northern Arizona University
Bass Jacks, $2500 from the table
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item C: SB 26-16: Northern Arizona University Bass Jacks, $2500 has
been removed from the table
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to vote on Item C: SB 26-16: Northern Arizona University
Bass Jacks, $2500
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: Andrew is the President of the Northern Arizona University Bass Jacks and has
been working with Senator Cook on the revised bill. He asks what the next step is,
Chairwoman Woodhouse asks him to explain what has been revised in the bill. They set a
plan for allotting the full $2500 to cover practice and tournament expenses. Regional
tournaments start November 1st; there are three and the FLW collegiate fishing
competitions are a big deal. They have competed for 3 years past. This bill will allow them
to go and be competitive. Without this funding the club will collapse. Bass Jacks will be
using it to pay for licenses, gas, travel, etc. Primarily Arizona and California.
Vote: Unanimous, Item C: SB 26-16: Northern Arizona University Bass Jacks, $2500 has
been approved
New Action Business
Motion: Senator Libby move to vote on Item A: Club Recognition: Russian Club
Second: Senator Howard
Discussion: Current President of the Russian Club is here. Trying to bring together people
on campus that are interested, most of the Russian classes have been dropped, want to
bring together students in a formal setting. Speakers on campus will help to bridge the gap
between the two countries.
Questions: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item A: Club Recognition: Russian Club has been approved
Motion: Senator Gorshe move to vote on Item B: IA: Dante Swallow, $400
Second: Senator Cook
Discussion: Dante Swallow is senior here at NAU. He is requesting an Individual Allocation
as well as a bill to finance a conference by the American League of Lobbyists in Washington
D.C at the end of November. There will be lots of other students and politicians as well as
staff talking about how to make America into a better country. He thinks that Washington
D.C it is critically important that the Politics and Science group at NAU should have
representation in Washington. It is important to boost enrollment and let students know
that NAU has a growing program. He would bring the information he learns back to the
classroom as there is a diverse population of perspectives and opinions in the classroom
that he would like to contribute to. He would be able to help facilitate thought-provoking
discussion in the classroom. He went to a conference funded by ASNAU last year and found
that it was very beneficial to the university. He is asking for ASNAU to cover travel expense
and the expense of the conference. He has taken cost saving measures, flying out of Phoenix
and Flagstaff and joining the American League of Lobbyists so as to reduce the entrance fee
from $350 to $200. He has found it difficult to fundraise as an individual but is covering
40% out of his own pocket.
Questions: Senator Gorshe asks Dante to confirm the total cost of the trip. Total cost of the
trip is $1080. $450 is for where he eats and stays, and is coming directly out of pocket.
Senator Gorshe asks if he hasn’t fundraised in the past 6 months. He didn’t know where to
go outside of ASNAU because it is beneficial to the university. He has picked up extra shifts
at work and raised his own money. Senator Tillinghast thanks him for his cost efficient
efforts to ease the burden of ASNAU. Dante Swallow thinks it is important for groups to
make sure budgets are airtight, ASNAU is generous and he doesn’t want to waste the
group’s money. He thanks the senators for their time.
Vote: Unanimous, Item B: IA: Dante Swallow, $400 has been approved
Motion: Senator Cabral move to vote on Item C: SB 26-20: Dante Swallow, $230
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: See discussion for Item B
Vote: Unanimous, Item C: SB 26-20: Dante Swallow, $230 has been approved
Motion: Senator Simon move to table Item D: OA: American Indian Science and Engineering
Society
Second: Senator Ortega
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item D: OA: American Indian Science and Engineering Society has been
tabled
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on Item E: SB 26-21: Younglife, $2500
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: Maddie is President of Younglife NAU. Younglife is travelling to Mexico to
Rocky Point in order to build houses and help people in the community. They will travel by
car they have to buy insurance in Mexico and pay for gas to get there. They are also being
charged for lodging by a non-profit organization in the area and will be camping in a field.
Lodging is $30 per person and they also would like to have gas money covered. The
estimate is different from what’s recorded. Trips for Younglife have doubled in attendance
this year. The $2500 requested is less than gas and lodging will be for all of the students
going. This is a great trip and as much as they are building houses and helping people they
are bonding. The students appreciate this opportunity. The $2500 for 66 estimated
students covers lodging and a little bit of gas. Younglife’s goal is to have more students be
able to go for less money.
Questions: Senator Gorshe asks why Younglife has not also requested an Organizational
Allocation to cover these expenses. Maddie explains that the OA was not ready yet do to
some advising issues, but will be coming shortly.
Vote: Unanimous, Item E: SB 26-21: Younglife, $2500 has been approved
Executive Reports
a. President- Makenzie Mastrud
- She would first like to thank Amy for her endless work on the minutes because
she has done a wonderful job. Last week they were 16 pages, and coming from
someone who previously held this position it can be very tiring. Yesterday she
met with President Haeger and Sarah Bickel, to talk about NAU. They discussed
the Tobacco Free NAU Initiative from the point of International students. They
are interested to see ASNAU’s stance on the matter. They also discussed the
housing issue, when freshman and sophomores get priority it is because of an
educational standpoint, studies show that they do better living on campus.
President Mastrud will be meeting with the representatives from Pine Ridge
next Thursday at 3pm to further discuss the issue brought to the attention of
ASNAU last meeting (see Senate Minutes 10-24 for details). Finally, she talked to
President Haeger about the search committee for the new president, and she is
pushing for a student representative and asked about the Student Safety Task
Force discussed by ABOR, she and Ben will sit on it eventually. They reported
that 700 students attended Flannels and Flapjacks, and are looking to continue
this event on campus. She is reviewing legal aide applications this week, and
asks that everyone please let students know that hopefully in a few weeks the
position will be filled. Tomorrow she and Sammy will attend the Study Abroad
Scholarship meeting, and they are still reviewing scholarships applications. She
is currently looking into the possibility of starting an opportunity for students to
rent cars on campus for use. This will be open to all students and there will be a
fee. Paula can now notarize, so if students come into the office send them to
Paula, because this is a service that Marylou used to offer and we are excited to
have it back. If you are interested in volunteering with Louie’s Cupboard come
talk to President Mastrud. Senator Simon asks if she were interested in a student
position on the board for the search for the new president, it would be possible
for her to contact President Mastrud about this. Yes.
b. Vice President of Student affairs- CJ Cooper
- VP Cooper reports that tomorrow he is meeting with Intercollegiate Athletics to
make sure NAU is following guidelines. He is going over budget goals for the
future will report on this next meeting. Make a Difference Day was a huge
success, there were over 200 students, which means it tripled in size. Next week
VP Cooper will meet with the Project Give coordinator to go over the event and
see what ASNAU can do different next year. The event at the Murdoch Center
was also a success; there were over 50 in attendance. This year he decided to go
with the title of Unity week instead of equality or diversity. Those with major
involvement will be Disability Resources, the HAPA Hawaiian Club, and
hopefully the Black Student Union, who VP Cooper will be reaching out to.
Disability Resources will hopefully have their own day so students can realize
that they’re there. He wants to help spread the word about what they are doing
to the students of NAU. He plans to still work with ASWI and LGBTQA, but
cannot guarantee if the event will fall on the same week as the Vagina
Monologues, because of scheduling for the keynote speaker. VP Cooper is aiming
to get an Olympic athlete to speak, because this will draw a lot of students.
Olympic athletes can speak on unity because the Olympics are famous for
bringing a lot of countries together to compete. If not an Olympic Athlete, he
hopes to get Dick Hoyt, who competes with his son in triathlons and Iron Mans,
pushing him in his wheelchair due to his muscular dystrophy. For right now, his
forefront is to get the Kiss My Axe shirt out for which the deadline is next week.
Survey will go out to the students November 11th to the 15th, and students will
vote on four designs. They will be passed out on December 7th at NAU-Hawaii
basketball game. Will encourage large attendance. Kiss My Axe is what the
Executive Team decided on, because it has been one of the most popular shirts in
the past. Tailgate is this weekend and 13 groups will be in attendance. He will be
sure all clubs know about trash pick up to appease Pine Ridge. He has a tailgate
sign up, needs a few people to run entrance and wristbands. Tailgate is this
Saturday at 1P.M.
c. Vice President of Academic Affairs- Shayla Woodhouse
- VP Woodhouse reports that she is reviewing legal aide applications along with
the rest of the Executive Team. This week they brought up revision of both the
OA and IA packet in both committees. Discussion will continue and revisions will
be made hopefully by next semester. Remind clubs that they need to attend
Appropriations and then Senate and to tell them they have a 1 to 2 minute time
limit for speech.
d. Chief of Staff- Sammy Smart
- Chief of Staff Smart reports that there are many events in the works, and Chyna
and Jillian will be informing ASNAU about them. Please sign up for Relay for Life.
She sent an email to everyone Tuesday night with all of the information. She
would love to see everyone participate, because it has been a long time since
there has been an ASNAU team. She and President Mastrud will be reviewing the
Go Scholarships tomorrow morning and will have a final number of recipients to
the Senate next week. The concert artist list will be submitted to Rachel later
tonight. From there, a date will be determined to release the genre that won. Do
not ask about it, everyone will find out soon enough. She would like everyone to
be safe tonight and check candy to make sure the wrappers aren’t open before
eating.
Staff Reports
A. Student State Affairs- Ben Silva, Dylan Lefler, Oregon McDiarmid
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Continuation of Medical Amnesty. Dylan reports that the flow chart everyone
was given shows how it will work. Wants to know what the Senate thinks
about it. Senator Libby says that she personally wouldn’t want to get in
trouble calling for a person who couldn’t consent to calling. Senator Smart
agrees. Senator Ortega believes that it should be revised in regards to the
policy seemingly promoting and assisting underage drinking. Ben says that
hospital treatment will be $3000 versus $500 MIC; Makenzie says this is only
for students who need medical attention. Senator Simon says that her main
concern is helping people. Mastrud says that they would work with residence
life and the police to make sure there are repercussions, but not necessarily
the legal aspects so people feel comfortable calling. Senator Simon says that if
it is recurring frequently then different further action should be taken.
Mastrud says consequences would be more severe as it is repeated.
Senator Gorshe says thanks for the charts, and Senator Smart says there is a
typo. Thanks SSA for working so hard on this. He asks if it is working in other
states that have implemented this. Oregon says that there are links in the
email that SSA sent out that lay out how it is effective before and after and
has details. Mastrud adds that their goal is to work with people on campus to
implement this as a beneficial policy on campus and not just the state level.
Senator Ortega will send information to Dean who was interested in it during
their Dean meeting.
Interns: DREAM act is a proposal that provides equal education to
undocumented minors. There are requirements to qualify. Background: 15
other states have this policy, AZ voted against last year. Deported already can
apply if they were eligible before deportation. The act includes student
benefits, equal opportunity for higher education, and a pathway to
citizenship. The interns tell the story of Carlos, who came to the U.S. when he
was just a baby and this was the only country he ever knew, which is the case
for a lot of minors. Give ASNAU some perspectives. The Interns are also
looking into buses on weekends and later in the day, and adding the blue
light to the NAU app. Senator Simon thinks this is really cool. In addition,
adding calorie count to on campus restaurants and extending on campus
restaurant hours on the weekend will be another idea pursued. Senator
Gorshe thanks the Interns for their hard work.
B. Public Relations- Colleen Flynn, Spencer Carlton
- Spencer reports that they have working on extended library hours during finals
and reading week flyer, and will have a separate one for the bus schedule.
Turkey Trot shirts and Kiss My Axe shirts are underway.
C. Special Events- Chyna Gade, Jillian Zuniga
- Chyna reports that the Turkey Trot will be held the weekend before
Thanksgiving, they are asking students to donate $10 to participate. Will consist
of a 5k, not required to run, it is a path you can take, meant to donate the $10 fee
to Louie’s Cupboard ($5) and Adopting Families for Christmas ($5), which
provides food, presents, hygiene products, and more to families at
Christmastime. They decided to do Christmas instead of Thanksgiving because
turn around isn’t fast enough. Senator Simon asks if we are adopting one family
for the whole school, Chyna says they will adopt as many as possible. Senator
Simon asks if we can adopt a family for ASNAU, Chyna says she will look into
getting that started. President Mastrud replies that there is also Christmas
Angels, which may be put on by NSG. Senator Libby will help. Senator Tillinghast
suggests that students may bring cans as opposed to the $10 for the Turkey Trot.
Senator Gorshe thanks Chyna for starting this event, and he thinks it may be
difficult for the organizations to donate food so the money makes it simple and
consistent. Chyna is going to Chapter meetings, but they do not want Greek Life
to lead this event, only to participate and support. Registration will hopefully be
available on the website Monday. Please inform Clubs.
D. ITS- Joey Smoll
- Uploading Senate documents, videos, and working on banner.
E. NSG- Annsley Niemann, Derek Lopez, Jeremy Chan
- Social pumpkin painting and carving, thank you for coming. Philanthropy,
Angel Tree, NSG video, follow Instagram keep in touch with mentees and have a
great Halloween.
Committee Reports
A. Appropriations: Senator Boruch reports that they discussed OAs and IAs this
week. Also she asks that when people turn in bills and packets, please only
stamp the packets. President Mastrud asks that Senators make sure that every
page is being copied. If they are front-to-back make them front-to-back.
B. Legislative: Senator Gorshe reports that they discussed OAs and IAs, they will
work on redoing them so they correspond to the bylaws.
Senator Reports
College of Arts and Letters
a. Shannon Boruch- Dean meeting last week went well. Been a great
meeting tonight. Talking to students about the Tobacco Free NAU
Initiative.
b. Scott Tillinghast- Dean meeting last Friday went well. Working with
Men’s Rugby club about a potential bill.
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
a. Ernan Cabral- Met with Swallow about Bill, Office hours, Legislative
Meeting
b. Brittany Simon- Legislative meeting, made copies, helped clubs get
supplies and find club headquarters.
College of Health and Human Services
a. Zachary Howard- Wrote the Younglife bill, and didn’t do office hours
due to working Halloween carnival for an Elementary School but will
do tomorrow
b. Nicolas Startt- Made copies in office hours
College of Education
a. Kelsey Smart- Dean meeting tomorrow, bringing up medical amnesty,
DREAM, and tobacco. Happy Halloween
b. Jared Gorshe- Thanks to Legislative Committee. Dean meeting
tomorrow
College of Business
a. Ryan Cook- Rewrote Senate Bill for Bass Jacks
b. Alexandria Buchta- New Civics minor added to college
College of Forestry, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
a. Nicole Ortega- Dean meeting went really well and she and Senator
Libby were informed a lot about NAU Campaign, if you have any
questions feel free to ask. Halloween so lets move forward.
b. Savannah Libby- Met with Dean, emailing about breakfast club and
medical amnesty, happy Halloween office hours were good.
Advisor Reports (Rick Brandel and Art Farmer)
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Not Present
Discussion Items
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to add NAU Tobacco Free to Discussion Items on the
agenda
Second: Senator Cabral
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, NAU Tobacco Free Initiative added to discussion
NAU Tobacco Free Initiative – Senator Simon is big on not infringing on other people’s
rights, and she hasn’t heard anything that makes her think that students are leaning more
to one side. She has heard many different opinions and wants to hear ASNAU’s. Senator
Libby doesn’t like walking behind a smoker, at the same time she chooses not to smoke but
she can’t tell anyone not to because she believes it is his or her right. She feels that if she
were a girl that chose to smoke she would not feel comfortable walking off campus to do so.
She believes we should have areas on campus particularly for girls, not to be sexist but she
wouldn’t want to endanger anyone. Senator Ortega agrees with Senator Libby, should have
designated areas on campus for safety and so smokers do not feel alienated. Senator Smart
says she doesn’t have a problem with the issue, but she doesn’t see why people who can get
through elementary and high school without smoking can’t here. Senator Libby replies that
it is illegal at that age. Senator Libby says it could work but it’s more about student rights.
Senator Startt says that a person can get lung cancer at anytime even by inhaling
secondhand smoke once, and seeing the impact on the lives of his family he doesn’t feel that
it’s okay. The majority of NAU doesn’t smoke so designated areas would be ok, but he
believes that E-Cigarettes should be allowed. He believes E-Cigarettes and hookah do not
affect other people. Senator Simon disagrees with hookah not affecting other people. Alexis
says that hookah smoke is exponentially worse for you than cigarettes. You are sitting and
smoking for a longer period of time and hookah smoke overall has more carcinogens.
Senator Tillinghast agrees he doesn’t want tobacco smoke around him all the time but it is
someone else’s right, he smokes during finals and reading week for stress relief, so he
understands both sides of the argument. He doesn’t feel comfortable with something that
will put students at safety risk, and is leaning more towards designated areas so there are
no threats to safety. Senator Cabral has been working with the task force this year and has
seen a lot of work put into this. He is behind it 100%, and believes designated areas isn’t
that different in the time it takes to travel versus off campus. Senator Libby isn’t concerned
about time, but safety. Senator Simon agrees. Senator Cabral has been discussing this a lot
with the task force. Alexis adds that it is literally across the street, and the initiative is just
asking students to walk to the opposite sidewalk. There are campus police and blue lights
within reach. She has done research with other universities and there haven’t been a lot of
safety issues that have arisen in these other places. Senator Tillinghast asks if they are in
dark sky cities, Alexis replies no as we are the only one. They have been using universities
with similar demographics, specifically Montana State. Senator Gorshe doesn’t want to be
involved in something pressuring students to go off campus with a potential safety threat.
His concern is the environment. Regardless of whether it is 24 feet off campus the
environmental issues that are being addressed will not be solved. He also doesn’t want
students to feel that they are social outcasts through social enforcement. Senator Boruch
says that designated smoking areas that would be good, but she is not sure that things
would change because these areas already exist. Zach, who is also here to represent the
NAU Tobacco Rights Campaign, smokes between classes and doesn’t always have time
other than on his way to his next class, so he wouldn’t respond well to this initiative.
Senator Boruch says her point is that this will not prevent secondhand smoke. Senator
Libby asks if Zach would use a designated area to smoke, he says yes, because rules are
rules but he will probably still smoke in his truck. Senator Howard says that if students can
ask smokers to put out without this initiative, he doesn’t think the initiative will increase
this and it will not be enforced. It isn’t fair to put people in this position. Senator Simon
thinks that is admirable all the hard work that has been put into this, but she doesn’t think
this will change anything. She wouldn’t personally confront someone smoking to stop. It
isn’t a battle she wants to be a part of. Charles goes back to the idea of the edges of campus,
wants to delineate the edges of campus because it is in forest, there would be litter and
crime and no blue lights near these areas. People don’t like having smoke in their face on
their way to class, but freshmen are almost required to live on campus and it isn’t fair to
tell him they can’t do this. Smoke will still travel the 24 feet, as Senator Gorshe pointed out.
It is almost like saying students 21 and over on campus can’t drink. Spencer says smokers
know the effects and she has a right to not be around it, but smokers are butting heads with
people when they say they have a right to smoke. Senator Smart agrees with the initiative,
she didn’t know this would cause so much controversy. Initial goal should be designated
smoking areas, a good way to start for right now. Vivian thinks if the problem with smoke
in the air, it is important to also know that the city doesn’t require smog checks and cars
are spewing it, that smoke is harmful too. President Mastrud says no one is required to live
on campus, so smoker’s rights to smoke where they live doesn’t really apply because
people on campus have a right to not smoke and not have to deal with it, President Mastrud
thinks that we should work with the majority, the students on campus who do not smoke.
Other universities have done this and it works well. Alexis says that initially there is
nothing that protects someone that chooses to smoke so it is not a right. With alcohol use,
there are laws that are put in place to protect those who are not doing this. With
enforcement, they are not looking to create conflict within student body, only asking that
students approach the person and to let them know that NAU is tobacco free and educate
them on the policy and resources, if they refuse then walk away. To touch on the idea of a
transition from designated areas to completely tobacco free, they don’t want to confuse
students. It would be hard to implement a designated areas policy and then try to change it
two years later. They are aware of all the other issues that have been brought up, the smog,
the fool oils on campus, and cars on campus, but they can only tackle so many things at
once. SHAC has chosen to pursue this right now. Charles says that for the 86% of students
who do not smoke, the survey was only standing outside of the HLC and students who go to
workout don’t usual smoke so the data isn’t accurate. He believes if it is legal on the streets
of Flagstaff it should be legal on campus. There is no right to smoke, but there is no right to
drink either. Alexis says the data earlier was not from SHAC, but from the spring survey
from health promotions, done nationwide at all universities. Senator Ortega asks how many
students responded to this survey. She doesn’t know, she can get numbers but she knows it
was the majority. Senator Simon asks if more than 10,000, yes. Senator Cabral says it is
legal to carry in AZ but not on campus, so not everything in Arizona is reflected on campus.
Senator Simon believes this is apples and oranges and not relatable to the discussion.
Senator Gorshe says that it is not a right to smoke, but it is legal and to some extent it
should be recognized, but ASNAU should stick with what has to do with the policies, not
about smog, candy, oil, etc. Asks if ASU has designated smoking areas. Alexis says no, they
are completely tobacco free. Senator Gorshe asks if ASU removed the areas and began the
policy in August 2013. Alexis replies that ASU never had designated smoking areas, they
simply transitioned from the current Arizona law to this. Senator Simon asks if the Senate
will vote on this matter, President Mastrud says President Haeger and other university staff
and organizations would like to see that.
Announcements
Golden Pine Cone Award: Amy, for hard work and diligence on the minutes.
Chyna appreciates everyone’s work.
Important Dates
Tailgate, Saturday November 2nd 1:00P.M
Survey for Kiss My Axe T-Shirts, November 11th to the 15th
NAU vs. Hawaii Basketball Game and T-Shirt Pass Out, December 7th
Adjournment
Motion: Senator Simon move to adjourn the meeting
Second: Senator Boruch
Vote: Unanimous, Meeting was adjourned at 7:03 P.M.