Tobacco-Free Campus
Daytona State College will become a tobacco free campus, projected to take effect August 1, 2013. During the April 18, 2013 Board of Trustees meeting, Policy 7.16, Tobacco Free Policy, was passed, almost unanimously, with one board member, Bob Davis, voting against it.

The meeting opened with comments from the public. Three people spoke, each giving their reasons for wanting a tobacco-free campus. Melanie McDonough, Program Director for the Respiratory Care Program, brought visual aids. She compared a healthy set of lungs to ones that had been exposed to cigarette smoke. The exposed set had black spots caused by carbon particles from cigarettes, and also had a different texture from the healthy ones. Pointing out quitting cigarettes is a process; McDonough stated, “It takes on average seven times to quit smoking. That means you stop and start six times before you are successful.” DSC does offer cessation classes to help. Mitch Pietras reiterated facts concerning other campuses that are already tobacco or smoke free. Robert Hill compared the right of smokers to that of someone who owns a weapon. Even with a concealed weapons permit, the right to bear arms is not permitted on campus. Hill noted, “Just because you cannot smoke here, doesn’t mean you lose your rights, you just cannot exercise it here.”

Construction is projected to begin fall 2013 on the Flagler Palm Coast campus of Daytona State College. Slated to open fall 2014, just in time for a new school year, the 2-story building will relieve overcrowding and offer amenities not currently available on that campus.

Not only will there be more classrooms, but conveniences that are taken for granted on the main campus will be much appreciated, such as a snack area offering ‘grab & go” food and coffee, and a bookstore. This is a great improvement on the vending machines and the temporary bookstore which is only open a few days at the beginning of each semester.