Smoking campuses

[thumper1]

BU is a smoke free campus. There is no smoking in any public places and it is prohibited in the housing as well. When DS lived there, this was actively enforced. No smoking in restaurants or any other public buildings in Boston either.

Does that mean that NO students smoke? Nope...they still do.

[China]

In my opinion, in today's predominantly (and very politically correct) anti-smoking culture, it's not unusual to not "see" anyone smoking. That doesn't mean, however, that people really aren't smoking - it's just in places that are either more private or where it is more accepted.

My son went to private h.s. and my daughter went to public. I NEVER once actually saw any of the kids from either of their schools smoking. However, if you go on Facebook, I know you can see plenty of photos of many of these kids with cigarette's in their hands at parties or other places where they're not likely to be seen by anyone other than their friends (or so they think!) On college kids' FB pix, I see even more smoking, yet I haven't seen much "in-person" at either of my kid's colleges. I'm very sure lots of it is going on at the college parties or in places where the kids hangout. Honestly, I was pretty surprised how many teenagers and young adults do seem to smoke. I've never really noticed lots of cigarette butts laying around at either of my kids' campuses - but I really don't think that this is an indication that they are any more non-smoking than any other school.

I honestly think that smoking has become a much more "underground" activity than it once was. Like I said before, smoking is so politically incorrect these days. And personally, I have mixed feeling about that. I'm an ex-smoker myself, but I still feel as though the rights of smokers do get trampled on a little. After all, it's NOT an illegal activity. And yes, I do understand the rights of non-smokers too - I am one now. I think it goes a little overboard sometimes. And for the record: both my kids are vehemently anti-smoking. I really hope it stays that way because I don't know anyone who doesn't agree that it's a truly nasty habit to acquire.

[cadbury]

fogfog, back to your original question...I was stunned by how much smoking was going on at Bard when we visited. I get the sense, based on conversations posted on CC, that it is part of the campus culture. I think this is consistent with what rocket6louise said. Smoking does seem to be more of a theater and artsy kind of thing.

[SpiritManager]

Could it be not only an 'artsy' thing, but an East Coast thing? We were definitely surprised to see it at Bard, coming from California where it is a secret vice to smoke these days. Like an underground secret society. But my non-drinking, non-smoking (of any variety) creative son is happily installed at Bard and is managing just fine - even if he finds it very odd that anyone would choose to smoke.

[rocket6louise]

^^^it may be an east coast thing, but it is DEF a theatre thing.
I have worked in several theare and know that approximately 80% of the staff, actors, dancers, techs, etc smoke. (they also drink quite a bit)
Some smoke to keep off weight, others to combat stress, and still others just because it's a social thing.
Several theatres i have worked at do not even care if you are under 18 and smoking. They accept it all the same.

[mummom]

fogfog: You say that at BC the cigarette butts take away from an otherwise "well-maintained" campus. I think that the "trash" and butts are more noticeable at BC because they generally do such a good job at maintenance. Have you been to UPenn? UChicago? Georgetown? Far grittier places--you don't notice the trash and butts because the grounds are generally in poorer repair. Also, you may have hit it at a time which was in between cleanups. I recently read another poster describe BC as "too gilded" and perfect. Based on our visits, I'd say they do a pretty good job cleaning up for a campus which has major sports teams and several graduate schools squeezed onto a relatively small campus. However, it's possible they have cut back somewhat on grounds maintenance because of the economy.

[fogfog]

I guess my point about BC is that with such a lovely lovely campus--I am disappointed at what appears to be a lack of appreciation/disrespect. Just whost do these smokers who drop their butts all over THINK is going to pick that up? and Why do they feel that they shouldn't clean up after themselves?


I saw a news item this am that Columbia is discussing smoking bans for campus...and I think NYU might have also been in that same news item for the same thing.

[cadbury]

Smoking is definitely NOT an east coast thing. All the schools we looked at when my D was applying were on the east coast, and Bard was the only one that left us with that impression.

[Proud Dad]

Bard doesn't allow smoking in any buildings or in dorm rooms. Maybe you only saw more smokers because they were outside the buildings in plain site instead of holing up in their rooms with the smoke-detectors disconnected. ?? My daughter is a non-smoker, and non-drinker and agrees there are plenty of smokers at Bard, even some in vocal performance—which really mystifies my daughter! She'd still rather be at Bard than any other college and she had offers from and experiences with many, many schools. The smoking issue gets played up as much as the legend of drug freedom, which is bunk, too, and not an activity condoned or overlooked by the college administration.

If my third daughter was to decide that Bard was the perfect fit for her, I would be ecstatic. You may just have to look past the superficial, the prejudices, and the stereotypes...and if you can't, maybe it's not the school for you.