FAQ
The Tobacco-Free Policy took effect on University of Southern Indiana’s campus on July 1, 2011.
The Tobacco-Free USI Policy applies to the entire campus, including roads, sidewalks, and sports facilities. Tobacco use is not permitted on University-owned, operated, or leased property or in University-owned, -operated, or- leased vehicles. Use of tobacco in private vehicles located on University property is permitted, but users must contain tobacco waste inside the vehicle. Smoking or the use of tobacco or tobacco products is prohibited inside all student housing facilities, including resident halls, apartments, common areas, balconies, building entries, and student rooms. Tobacco use is permitted in designated outdoor areas by residents in student housing areas.
Tobacco-cessation programs are offered to all employees and students at no cost. For information on upcoming classes, contact Stephanie Walden-Schwake, assistant director of Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness (schwake@usi.edu or 812-461-5269) or Christine Tolis Johnston, assistant program director of Student Wellness (catolis@usi.edu or 812-461-5483).Those taking the classes will be eligible for a week’s worth of nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch or lozenge), in consultation with instructors. With approval of supervisors, employees may use work time to take the cessation classes on campus.
There are numerous resources available through USI’s health insurance plans. Additionally, employees on certain health plans may be able to obtain discounts for or coverage of nicotine patch for smoking cessation programs. Employees who are covered under USI’s Lumenos HSA can receive a $50 incentive for completion of the smoking cessation program. For specific details of smoking cessation benefit offerings, please contact your carrier:
Welborn Health plans call 800.521.0265
Anthem Blue Access PPO Plan call 888.279.5449
Anthem Lumenos HSA call 888.224.4902
The University expects the cooperation and commitment of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors in maintaining an environment free from smoke and smokeless-tobacco waste.
Enforcement of this policy will depend on all members of the campus community complying with and encouraging others to comply with the policy. Download the card here; the second page is optional for those with printers capable of printing 2-sided.
Primary enforcement will be the responsibility of those persons who head individual units, departments, buildings, student housing units, those who supervise faculty and staff, security personnel, and others designated by the University. Violations of this policy will be handled through existing processes already in place for students, faculty, and staff. Student violations will be processed under the Student Code of Conduct. Complaints regarding violations of this policy should be referred to the appropriate dean or director or Human Resources manager for faculty and staff and to Student Affairs for students.
No. The safety of these devices is in question and U.S. courts have treated them as tobacco products. As it can be difficult from any distance to know if an individual is using one of these devices or smoking, their use violates the spirit of a tobacco-free policy.
No. Use of tobacco is permitted in private vehicles, though all tobacco-product waste must be contained in the automobile.
According to American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities have enacted smoke-/tobacco-free policies.
Use this form to share questions and comments with the USI Tobacco-Free Committee.