The_Rambler_1990-01-30

              Personals Return 1989 SUNY Farmlngdale
-a Pictorial Page 9
Rampage Literary
Section Insert
Volume 60, Number 12 SUNY College of Technology at Farmlngdale January 30, 1990
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Non-Smokers, Quit Holding Your
Steve Conley
STArr
Due to legislation effective January 1, 1990,
SUNY Farmingdale non-smoking students can breath a
little easier.
Cigarette smoking in most public places is out-lawed,
according to the recently passed New York State
Clean Indoor Air Act. This law encompasses all state
government agencies from the state capital hallways to the
SUNY Farmingdale campus radio station lobby.
College President Doctor Frank A. Cipriani is-sued
a memo January 2,1990 alerting the faculty and staff
to the restrictions as they apply to this university.
All buildings will be marked with signs bearing,
"No smoking in this building except for designated areas."
These signs will be posted at all entrances. Gleeson Hall
and the Greenley Hall Library, due to their unusual air
systems, have of "necessity" become "Smoke-Free Envi-ronments".
The private offices in the Computer Center in
Greenley Hall which operate under an independent envi-ronmental
system are exempt from the legislation provided
they fulfill other requirements. In general, smoking is only
permitted in private offices with doors and windows that
can be opened.
In buildings with large lounge areas, a small
portion will be designated as smoking areas.
How does it affect the students?
Smoking is forbidden in auditoriums, classrooms,
gymnasiums, elevators, restiooms, hallways, employee
medical facilities, and any common faculty areas. Smok-ing
is also prohibited in enclosed work areas occupied by
more than one person if any occupant objects. A work area
is defined as a room, office, or any other area enclosed by
walls and doors. No butts about i t
What IS SGA?
The law also mandates that cafeterias and lunch-rooms
must reserve seventy percent of the total dining area
for non-smokers.
How does this affect the faculty and professional staff?
Separate enclosed rooms not open to the public,
such as faculty and professional staff offices, may be
designated as smoking rooms. But as President Cipriani's
memo states" these rooms should have proper ventilation."
How does this effect the dorm students in particular?
The Residence Halls are within the jurisdiction of
the Clean Indoor Air Act, being that they are part of the
SUNY system. Cipriani has requested an analysis of the
student population to determine the approximate percent-age
of smokers. The results of the poll would determine the
universities course of action. The current options available
are to either designate the entire hall as a smoking or non-smoking
building or to separate dormitory floors in a
similar manner.
The memo from the President ended with the
imposing slatement,"Penalties will be imposed as required
for students, staff, and visitors." The exact nature of these
"penalties" are as of yet unknown. When wind of the
punishment reaches the Rambler, it's sure to catch most
smokers breathless.
By J.J. Hunt
Rambler Staff Writer
It all started about two months ago (over inter-session)
when I tried earnestly to reach Mr. Brown at his
home phone number and was abruptly turned away by the
answering machine. After about six phone calls and a few
pre-arranged-but-didn't-work-out engagements, I finally
got Perry Brown, Student Government Association Presi-dent,
to sit still (relatively without interruption) long enough
for me to conduct an interview. So, on January 26,1990 at
1:30am (yes, even before the roosters) this dedicated
Rambler reporter's pen began to twitch, recording the
following bit of words for our loyal, not-so-loyal, and oc-casional
readers:
Rambler: What semester and curriculum are you in
at present. Mr.Brown?
Brown: My laaast (glancing up toward the heav-ens)!!
I'm a business major.
Rambler: How long have you been involved in
SGA?
Brown: Oh, God...It'll be a year and a half now.
Rambler: Do you think that you might be able to
give our readers an idea of the functions of such an
organization as the Student Government Association
(SGA)?
Brown: Well, as far as I'm concerned, we're sup-posed
to be a student advocacy group. I feel, uh, we try
basically to make tilings a little more user-friendly for the
students; and I feel that this job should be separate from
egos and politics...as far as the technical side goes, it
disburses money for student causes, uh..,it sponsors activi-ties,
ser\'es as a lobbyist and acts as a training ground for
leadership skills. It appoints people to committees that
make decisions that affect students' lives on campus. It
helps to promote new ideas and form new clubs.
Rambler: What does it take to become a member of
SGA?
Brown: There's two ways. You can be appointed to
various positions or be elected. That's it. Student Govern-ment
is always looking for new people with a desire to
better the students' position on campus.
Rambler: What is the most common curriculum
involved in your organization?
Brown: This year there is none. Last year, the
common thread seemed to be Liberal Arts and Graphic
Akns(now known as Graphic Communications)* students.
This year I went out of my way to get people with a more
diversified background to better represent the students.
Rambler: Can you give us a summary of what some
of the accomplishments have been this past semester for
SGA?
Brown: Oh, yeah (shifting position in his seat to lean
forward). Better communication amongst clubs, better
group participation in Student Government and other club
sponsored events, the refurbishing of Roosevelt Hall, the
Please See Student Government