1. PURPOSE:

To promote the comfort, health and safety of the University of North Texas community by establishing guidelines on smoking, consumption of food and beverages on university property and the presence of animals in university facilities and on university property.

2. APPLICABILITY:

This policy shall apply to all University controlled/owned facilities and vehicles and to all faculty, staff, students and visitors.

3. SMOKING POLICY

3.1. Smoking Policy

3.1.1. Smoking is prohibited in all university owned or leased facilities and vehicles, and within (25) twenty-five feet of any public entrance to a building, and in any other designated areas excluded by the Fire Marshall.

3.1.2. Smoking areas will be designated throughout the campus and, in respect for others, those who smoke are encouraged to use those areas designated for this purpose to smoke and to only use the provided cigarette urns to dispose of their used cigarettes.

3.1.3 Research studies on smoking are only allowed in rooms having negative air flow where all re-circulated air is maintained in that room. Such research studies are allowed only in buildings that meet established air quality standards. The Fire Marshall will make the determination of the acceptability of this smoking area based on this data and proper cigarette waste disposal plus any fire safety concerns.

3.2. Implementation and Enforcement of Smoking Policy

3.2.1. “No Smoking” signs will be conspicuously displayed at the entry of all facilities and other appropriate locations. Signs will also be displayed for designated smoking areas.

3.2.2. Department heads, managers, supervisors and building representatives are responsible for communicating and enforcing this policy in their workplaces and buildings.

3.2.3. The Office for the Vice President for Student Development is responsible for communicating this policy to all prospective and new students, and the Center for Student Rights and Responsibility is responsible for enforcing the policy with students.

3.3. Reporting of Smoking Complaints

3.3.1 Complaints or disputes regarding implementation and enforcement of this policy concerning faculty members should be addressed to the appropriate department chair, Dean or the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

3.3.2 Complaints or disputes regarding implementation and enforcement of this policy concerning staff members should be addressed to the appropriate supervisor, manager or department head or vice president.

3.3.3 Complaints or disputes regarding implementation of this policy concerning students should be addressed to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for resolution.

3.3.4 Complaints or disputes regarding implementation and enforcement of this policy concerning visitors should be addressed to the appropriate department head occupying the facility or to the building representative.

4. FOOD AND BEVERAGES ON CAMPUS POLICY

In the interest of the comfort, health and safety of its faculty, staff and students, the University maintains the following rules regarding food:

4.1. Food and/or beverages may be consumed in the classroom at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor is responsible for ensuring that all food and containers are deposited in a trash receptacle at the end of the class period.

4.2. Consumption of food and/or beverages is generally accepted in offices. However, the supervisor may restrict employees in his/her office from consuming food and/or beverages for sanitary, safety, or work related reasons.

5. ANIMALS IN BUILDINGS OR CLASSROOMS

In the interest of the comfort, health and safety of its faculty, staff and students, the university prohibits animals in classrooms and facilities, except animals assisting individuals with disabilities; assistance animals being trained by a qualified trainer; therapy assistance animals used for instruction purposes; and laboratory animals. (Chapter 121.003(g), Texas Human Resources Code)

6. VIOLATIONS OF THIS POLICY

Students, faculty and staff who violate the provisions of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.