Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinions
Smoking ban on campus
Dear Editor,
I read your editorial on Nov. 12 ("Ban Resolution is all Smoke and Mirrors") and thought that I may be able to offer a different insight.
I teach sociology not only at UP, but at Portland Community College as well.
The Beacon has previously mentioned that PCC went "smoke free" on Sept. 9 of this year. I have seen the effects of the smoking ban at PCC.
The ban is not working.
Sure, I don't see people out in the open smoking away, but that doesn't mean that people aren't smoking.
Smoking has been pushed underground in potentially dangerous ways.
I teach at PCC Rock Creek. Students, faculty and staff are sneaking off in droves to go to the woods on our campus to light up and satisfy their addiction.
How is that helping anyone?
The obvious groups that meet in public places and smoke seem at first glance to be gone, but they have gone elsewhere to do their thing.
What clandestine corners of our University will become the smoking hot spots?
What will our neighbors across Willamette Boulevard think of us?
I believe that the editorial board is right: we have better things to do and better uses of our energy than trying to put a "look-at-me" feather in our cap which does nothing except alienate people who suffer from an addiction and push them to smoke in more risky locations.
Out of sight does not mean safe or problem solved.
Jeremy Tanzer
Professor of Sociology
UP needs more school spirit
Dear Editor,
As a young alumni I was surprised to see the student stands nearly empty on Friday and Sunday at the NCAA championship games.
I recognize that weather, cost, over-commitment, possible lack of marketing and the UP bubble have sucked the life out of the student body so I'm hoping everyone finds an injection of school spirit before Friday night when UP gets to host the third round at Merlo Field.
Dear Editor,
I read your editorial on Nov. 12 ("Ban Resolution is all Smoke and Mirrors") and thought that I may be able to offer a different insight.
I teach sociology not only at UP, but at Portland Community College as well.
The Beacon has previously mentioned that PCC went "smoke free" on Sept. 9 of this year. I have seen the effects of the smoking ban at PCC.
The ban is not working.
Sure, I don't see people out in the open smoking away, but that doesn't mean that people aren't smoking.
Smoking has been pushed underground in potentially dangerous ways.
I teach at PCC Rock Creek. Students, faculty and staff are sneaking off in droves to go to the woods on our campus to light up and satisfy their addiction.
How is that helping anyone?
The obvious groups that meet in public places and smoke seem at first glance to be gone, but they have gone elsewhere to do their thing.
What clandestine corners of our University will become the smoking hot spots?
What will our neighbors across Willamette Boulevard think of us?
I believe that the editorial board is right: we have better things to do and better uses of our energy than trying to put a "look-at-me" feather in our cap which does nothing except alienate people who suffer from an addiction and push them to smoke in more risky locations.
Out of sight does not mean safe or problem solved.
Jeremy Tanzer
Professor of Sociology
UP needs more school spirit
Dear Editor,
As a young alumni I was surprised to see the student stands nearly empty on Friday and Sunday at the NCAA championship games.
I recognize that weather, cost, over-commitment, possible lack of marketing and the UP bubble have sucked the life out of the student body so I'm hoping everyone finds an injection of school spirit before Friday night when UP gets to host the third round at Merlo Field.
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