STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL

Nov. 12, 2008 Minutes

Executive Committee
Kathy Aliaga, President, katherine.aliaga@du.edu, x13284
Christa Bruning, Vice President, Christa.Bruning@du.edu, x13170
Jennifer Emmett, Secretary, jennifer.emmett@du.edu, x12335
Kate Martin, Treasurer, Kate.Bidstrup.Martin @du.edu , x12247
Karl French, Webmaster, karl.french@du.edu, x12121

Members in attendance:
Kathy Aliaga, Facilities
Craig Bach, University Advancement
Nicky Bruckhart, Athletics & Recreation
Christa Bruning, University Communications
Jennifer Emmett, Bursar’s Office
Grace Fisgus, Denver Research Institute
Karl French, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
R.J. Mauro, Penrose Library
Emily Hinga, Graduate School of International Studies
Christa Bruning, University Communications
Ann Gross, Admissions
Jan Drobnick, Daniels College of Business
Amy Kho, Writing Program
John Aderhold, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Kate Martin, Student Life
Erin Hegel, Budget and Planning
Caryl Shipley, Law School
Tina Miller, University College
Shawn Lipsey, Human Resources
Sue Kaessner, Corrections Technology Center
Marty Neary, DU Bookstore
John Cripe, Morgridge College of Education
Ethan Crawford, Graduate School of Social Work

Guests included:
Katie Dunker, Health Services
Kelly Fencinghood, Health Services

The meeting was called to order at 12:00pm.

After minor corrections, the October minutes were approved.
1. The meeting was turned over to Katie Dunker and Kelly Fencinghood to speak about
the proposed tobacco free policy.
a. Health Services is still working on a potential policy charge to make DU tobacco
free. An email was recently sent to SAC members with additional details, links to
their website and a link to their petition. The floor was opened for questions:

Q: How will DU handle visitors?

A: The tobacco free policy would apply to them as well. We would use attractive,
positive signs to convey the message and DU employees and Campus Safety
would be responsible for enforcement. Eventually, non use of tobacco is
expected to become the norm. During large events (like concerts and athletic
events) tobacco users could use alleys and public sidewalks. Chancellor Coombe
and Provost Kvistad still have to approve this, as does the Board of Trustees and
a task force needs to be created. They are looking for an implementation date of
January 1, 2010.

Q: Are most Colorado Universities considering a tobacco free policy?

A: UNC does designated areas on campus, Chancellor Coombe does not support
that approach.

Q: Should SAC vote to support this or not? If we give our support, how does that
reflect our departments?
A: It is up to us to decide how we would like to handle the situation if we don’t
already have a precedent in place.

Q: Does the Chancellor want our support as a representative body?

A: Health Services could just use their survey data or just say that SAC supports
it as a whole if we choose to lend our support.
*The survey was taken at the Benefits Fair and only 207 staff members
responded, we feel this could be a poor representation of staff opinion. If SAC is
to be a “representative group of the staff” we don’t want any backlash by making
this decision.

Q: How will we train Campus Safety and employees to handle the enforcement
issue without decreasing customer service? A message of selectivity could reduce
revenue.
A: Don Enloe and Ty Mills will think of a way for us to approach tobacco users
in a friendly way.
 The Health Counseling Center is spearheading the initiative because of
impacts to health but the Campus Safety and the DU community need to
work out the details because it is not the HCC’s area of expertise. We are
considering cessation cards and a repeat offender could be asked to write a
paper about tobacco use or do community service. We will not fine
offenders. There should be an additional survey in the future, right now there
is no money for incentives and no time. The survey could potentially go out
on Webcentral. They will find a way to conduct another survey if the
Chancellor requests it. Whether SAC decides to support or not support the
policy ultimately the Chancellor will decide, he just wants to know what
everyone thinks. The undergraduate student body has voted against the
policy, the HCC feels the undergraduates had unsubstantiated reasons.

Q: Is there any literal benefit to the policy?

A: Kaiser will offer cassation classes.

Q: If we are already approximately 90% smoke free aren’t we OK?

A: No level of tobacco exposure is safe.
 The new policy would affect the “common educational grounds” High St.,
Buchtel, University and Harvard would be borders. Locations outside of that
box (eg: UCOL) could be free to decide to follow that policy or not. We have
to consider the impact this could have on our neighbors, our proposed policy
could increase their tobacco exposure, litter and noise. Those visiting DU
 may have to walk through pockets of tobacco users on the outskirts to get
onto DU’s campus.
 The HCC says the tobacco free policy would complement our current green
movement at DU. The policy will also combat tobacco marketing to 18-24
year olds. The HCC doesn’t want to encourage people towards smoke free
products, rather discourage any and all tobacco use. They want to create a
strong, solid policy so we are set for the future and won’t need to revisit and
modify the policy later. Ultimately the HCC cares about us and wants to help
those who may want to quit using tobacco. This December their website will
be sectioned out and have more information as well. Don’t forget anyone can
sign the petition as an individual staff member.
2. The meeting was turned over to the Coat Drive Committee.
a. The Committee is trying to get notification out to students, faculty and staff before
the holidays. Currently student support is spotty; we need posters in the dorms and
emails out to everyone. SAC needs to be as participatory as possible, we needs lots of
donation locations.
3. The 4 day work week issue will be discussed next time.

The next meeting will be held December 10, 2008 in the DuPont Room, Mary Reed

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Emmett, Secretary