News
Campus now tobacco-free
Students, staff and faculty who use tobacco will find a distinct change in school policy this semester. As of Aug. 1, the college has adopted a campus-wide tobacco ban. The areas designated for smoking in the past have been removed and the campus police now have the authority to hand out fines to those in violation.
The fines will be $10 for each violation. The fines do not increase with repeat offense. If payment is not made within ten business days, a hold is placed on the student’s records. This means that the student will not be allowed to access his or her grades and cannot enroll in new classes until the fine is paid.
“The purpose of the ban is student is student health, to endorse healthy decisions,” said Larry Dixon, Deputy Chief of public safety at the college.
There are a few exceptions to the hardline stance taken by the college. The school has constructed two small shelters on the south end of the campus next to the ITC building. The shelters were created specifically to address the needs of the students attending railroad technology courses, but they are open to all students. Smoking will also be tolerated if done inside of a car in the parking lots.
For the first two weeks of this fall semester, beginning Aug. 22, campus police will be handing out warnings to those found in violation. This will be done in an attempt to inform the students to the change in policy.
Coke-to-Pepsi conversion complete
Students and faculty may be less than happy to find a campus-wide switch from Coca-Cola products to the Pepsi brand when they arrive this fall. Vending machines and the Food Court will no longer offer the popular Coke brand.
This is the first time the school has done an exclusive beverage contract. The decision was made based on a need to streamline food and beverage service, said trustee member Bob Drummond.
“[This] allows us some efficiencies that we haven’t had in the past,” he said.
For Coca-Cola loyalists there will be one oasis. The C-Store will continue to carry Coke products in their coolers. Bookstore and C-Store General Manager Steve Rhodes is expecting his shop to become a destination.
“It’s not just one of the places to get (Coke products), it’s the only place to get a Coca-Cola on campus,” he said.
President’s State of the College Address to occur in Sept.
The college president has his sights pointed distinctly toward the future.
College president Terry Calaway will give the Fall 2011 State of the College Address Sept. 28 at The Polsky Center. The theme will be “Innovation: Johnson County.” His speech will focus on the need for the college to stay ahead of the curve in terms of modernization and creative problem solving.
Calaway said it is his belief that this forward thinking posture is the best tactic during the current economic downturn.
“It’s important to stay on the edge of innovation, even in tough times,” said Calaway.
Calaway is the first college president to hold a state of the college address. He has done one every year since taking the position. The speech serves a number of purposes. It informs student and faculty about the condition of the college and provides an opportunity to gather together donors who contribute to the school’s presidential scholarship.
The last address was scheduled for the 2011 spring semester. However, it had to be cancelled due to illness. Calaway developed a significant bronchial infection forcing him to be dependent on an inhaler, the kind typically used to treat asthma, despite not actually being asthmatic. For this fall’s address he is not worried about encountering the same issue.
“My wife has me on a very strict chicken soup regimen this time around,” he said.
Compiled by Joshua Browning.
Coca-Cola suks!