1. Policies and Procedures
  2. Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus

Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus

Approved: Officers
Date Established:
Date Last Revised: August 21, 2020
Responsible Office: Division of Student Life/Human Resources  
Responsible Administrator: Marcella Runell Hall & Heidi Friedman

Statement

As of August 22, 2020, Mount Holyoke College is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. This policy includes the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, vaping and electronic cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products, and any substance burned for the purpose of inhalation. It applies to all students, faculty, staff, alums, vendors/contractors, and visitors. It applies to all areas and properties owned and managed by Mount Holyoke College. Exceptions are narrowly defined for research in a controlled laboratory setting and the ceremonies and rituals of Indigenous peoples.

This policy is put in place in the interests of the health of the entire Mount Holyoke community and to provide an environment free of smoke. In adopting this policy, Mount Holyoke aligns with a growing majority of colleges enjoying smoke-free campuses.

Scope / Responsibilities

All members of the Mount Holyoke Community — students, faculty, staff, alums, vendors/contractors, and visitors — are expected to voluntarily comply with the Smoke- and Tobacco-free Campus Policy when on the Mount Holyoke College campus.

The Smoke- and Tobacco-free Campus Policy covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, vaping and electronic cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products, and any substance burned for the purpose of inhalation. This includes cannabis, which is already prohibited by law anywhere within College boundaries. 

For the purposes of the policy, the Mount Holyoke College campus is defined as all College-owned and managed properties, including the Equestrian Center, Skinner Museum and the Community Boathouse.

The policy covers all walkways, pathways and on-campus roads, greens and all areas between buildings, as well as parking lots and motor vehicles while they are on campus, stationary or in transit. 

Responsibilities

For enforcement of policy: 

  • It is intended that compliance with this policy occurs voluntarily and that each community member will respect the policy to keep our environment welcoming and inclusive.
  • It is hoped that members of the College community will help each other comply with this policy. 
  • Repeated failure to abide by the policy will be considered a community code of conduct violation and may result in disciplinary action.

For oversight of policy: 

  • Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students
  • Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
  • Associate Vice President, Human Resources 

For procedures implementing policy: 

  • Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement and Executive Director of Residential Life
  • Benefits & Training Manager, Human Resources
  • Director of Foundation Relations and Sponsored Research

Policy

Introduction

In the interest of the health and well-being of the Mount Holyoke College community and the campus environment, the College adopted a 100% Smoke- and Tobacco-free Campus Policy as of August 22, 2020.

Policy statement

All smoking is prohibited on the Mount Holyoke College campus, as defined in the “Scope / Responsibilities” section of this document.

The policy applies to all members of the Mount Holyoke community: students, faculty, staff, vendors/contractors, alums and visitors.

“All smoking” includes all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, vaping and electronic cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products, and any substance burned for the purpose of inhalation. This also includes cannabis, which is already prohibited by law anywhere within the College boundaries. 

The “campus” includes all property owned and managed by Mount Holyoke College.

Smoking in vehicles while they are located on campus roads, as well as in parking lots, on walkways and pathways, and any other areas of the campus is prohibited.

Religious exceptions may apply only for the ceremonial and ritual purposes observed by Indigenous peoples.

Policy Violations

Voluntary compliance coupled with community education is the expectation for all faculty, staff, students, alums and visitors. Vendors and contractors who do not comply will be in violation of their agreement with the College. Repeated violations of this policy are adjudicated according to the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook and the Staff Handbook, with disciplinary consequences imposed by the adjudicating authority. Some offenses are punishable under state and federal laws. 

Procedures

It is expected that the community will comply voluntarily with this policy so as to ensure the health and welfare of all community members. Reports of violations should be directed to the appropriate College entity, as listed in the “Scope / Responsibilities” section of this document.

Definitions

These definitions apply to terms as they are used in this policy.

Term Definition
“Smoking” All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, vaping and electronic cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products, and any substance burned for the purpose of inhalation. This also includes cannabis, which is already prohibited by law anywhere within the College boundaries.
“Campus” All properties owned and managed by Mount Holyoke College.
“MHC Community” All students, faculty, staff, alums and visitors to Mount Holyoke College.