Marshall University’s Board of Governors have approved a policy banning tobacco products on campus and approved the university’s proposed budget for operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 today in a meeting on the Huntington campus.
The tobacco policy applies to any and all indoor and outdoor locations. However, events that attract a large number of off-campus visitors to Marshall’s campus may be exempted on a case-by-case basis, provided that all smoking be restricted to designated outdoor smoking areas.
The tobacco policy goes into effect Monday, July 1.
“We are so happy that our campus is making this move to improve the health of our students, faculty and staff,” said Amy Saunders, director of Marshall’s student health programs. “We are joining more than 800 colleges and universities across the nation that have taken this stance against tobacco use.”
Saunders said her organization will soon be setting up programs to help students, faculty and staff with cessation efforts.
Also in today’s meeting, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the university’s proposed budget for operating expenses of $196,434,905 for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp praised the recently-formed budget working group, consisting of faculty, deans, staff and student representatives, for its role in preparing the balanced budget. The group will continue with additional constituent representatives.
“We worked very diligently together in solving the problem that was presented to us as a result of reductions in state appropriations and increased projections of expenditures,” President Kopp said. “We started out with a $6.8 million deficit and tailored that down to a balanced budget with about a $43,000 projected surplus.
“We did it through a great deal of give and take and sharing of information. It’s a reflection of what happens when folks can work together and do work together.”
