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IU Northwest as a Tobacco-Free Campus

Over time, IU Northwest's policy on tobacco use has changed as society's tolerance for smoking has changed. We have gone from allowing smoking in classrooms and offices to prohibiting smoking inside facilities, from allowing people to smoke outside to prohibiting smoking within 30 feet of building entrances.

At their February 2007 meeting, the Indiana University Board of Trustees directed then President Adam Herbert to make all IU campuses smoke-free by 2008.  As a regional campus of Indiana University and a partner in IU's Life Sciences Initiative, combined with our campus' focus on Health and Human Services, it is only fitting that we adopt a policy that promotes the health and wellness of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Therefore IU Northwest will implement the tobacco-free initiative effective Monday, August 20, 2007.

IU Northwest has the responsibility and duty, to protect students, employees, and visitors from tobacco's harmful effects by eliminating its use on our campus. As a tobacco-free campus we emphasize the value we place on health as a quality of life issue. It makes the statement that IU Northwest is a place where we value knowledge gained through research, where we translate research into practice.

The IU Northwest Tobacco-Free Campus policy enables students, faculty, staff, and visitors to preserve their health by providing an environment where people can work, learn and study free from risks associated with tobacco use.

The move to this environment signals a positive step for our campus, both in terms of the health and safety of our employees, students, and visitors, and in terms of the cleanliness of our grounds and facilities. We need everyone's assistance to make this transition a success and I urge everyone to cooperate with civility and good will in complying with this policy. Refraining from tobacco use on campus makes IU Northwest a place where a healthy choice is an easy choice. That ultimately benefits us all and the quality of our learning and working environment. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

For more information on Tobacco-Free IU Northwest, please visit www.tobaccofree.iun.edu .

Bruce W. Bergland, Chancellor, IU Northwest