The development of the University’s smoke- and tobacco-free policy began in 2008. Over the course of seven years, a diverse group of people from across the U were involved in researching, surveying, creating, and implementing the campus-wide policy.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
September 2007
Duluth campus goes smoke free (see Duluth News Tribune for background).
February 2008
The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) requests that President Bruininks consider implementing a tobacco-free campus policy, which would make the entire University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, including outdoor spaces, tobacco free.
April 21, 2008
Crookston campus goes smoke- and tobacco free.
2009–2011
President Bruininks charges a committee to conduct a thorough investigation of the feasibility and support of a tobacco-free campus policy, including surveys of students, staff and faculty, open forums, and interviews with key University personnel. The report recommends a campus tobacco-free policy in January 2011.
December 2012
The SHAC co-chairs request President Kaler to formally consider a tobacco-free campus policy.
September 2012–June 2013
Twenty-four University student, staff, and faculty groups express support for a tobacco-free or smoke-free campus policy. The Twin Cities campus delegates to the University Senate overwhelmingly support a resolution to support in principle a commitment to a smoke-free campus.
May 17, 2013
President Kaler charges Boynton Health with developing an implementation plan and final administrative policy recommendation. A work group begins meeting in June.
July 15, 2013
The work group submits a draft policy and implementation plan to President Kaler.
October 28, 2013
A smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy implementation team is established.
December 5, 2013
The President’s Policy Committee votes in favor of the smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy.
January 28, 2014
The 30-day comment period for the smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy closes.
February–March 2014
All policy comments are reviewed and Share the Air policy communications begin.
July 1, 2014
The University of Minnesota Rochester and Twin Cities become smoke- and tobacco-free campuses. The Duluth and Crookston campuses now follow the new policy. The Morris campus is actively engaging students, faculty, and staff in looking at options.
April 2015 & April 2016
The Share the Air Implementation Team administers a survey to students, staff, and faculty to assess the smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy.