Tobacco and Vape Free Campus

Southeastern is committed to the enforcement of maintaining a tobacco and vape free campus to the health benefit of its students and employees.

University Policy and State Law

The Oklahoma Executive Order signed by Governor Mary Fallin on February 6, 2012, prohibits the use of all tobacco products on state-owned and state-leased property beginning at the latest August 6, 2012. On December 23, 2013 and executive order was also signed to add e-cigarettes and vaping devices to the order.

This tobacco-free/vape-free campus environment includes any and all Southeastern owned, leased, rented, or maintained property including but not limited to buildings, facilities, sidewalks, roadways, parking lots, and grounds. Campus also includes all University owned, leased, or rented vehicles. Campus may not include any owned properties which are leased to third parties under long-term leases.

Possession of tobacco and vape products does not constitute “use” on campus. However, all residence halls are maintained as tobacco-free environments. Therefore, all tobacco products (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc) and paraphernalia (including water pipes, hookah pipes, etc.) is prohibited within the residence hall and within the immediate vicinity of all residence halls.

How SE Supports Your Health

Southeastern Oklahoma State University made the decision to comply with each order at the time of introduction.  This decision was made to promote the health, well-being and safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is also one of the many ways SE strives to promote our vision of an optimized learning environment.  However, we acknowledge that limiting these products can be challenging and we want to lend support.

Employees wishing to participate in tobacco cessation are referred to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1.800.QUIT.NOW or 1.800.784.8669), the Southeastern Counseling Center Tobacco Cessation Group( 580.745.2988), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma Blue Care Connection (check with HR) or the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking online program.

Students may contact the Southeastern Student Health Services (580.745.2867), the Southeastern Counseling Center Tobacco Cessation Group (580.745.2988), the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1.800.QUIT.NOW or 1.800.784.8669) or the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking online program.

Definitions

Students: includes, but is not limited to all students enrolled in University classes and/or classes held on campus, as defined above.

Tobacco and vaping products: includes all forms of products, including but is not limited to, aerosols, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and all other kinds and forms of tobacco prepared in such a manner to be suitable for spit tobacco use, smoking, or both. This term also includes herbal and other chemical products, simulated tobacco products that imitate or mimic tobacco products, including but not limited to cloves, bidis, and kreteks.

Tobacco use: includes smoking, chewing, dipping or any other consumption or use of tobacco products.

Visitors: includes, but is not limited to, guests, spectators, contractors, vendors, volunteers and anyone else providing any type of product or service to the University.

Procedures

Southeastern will not accept donations, gifts, money, or materials intended to promote the use of tobacco nor participate in any type of services that promote the use of tobacco.

Appropriate signage will be posted by the Southeastern Physical Plant as necessary to inform employees, students and visitors of policy provisions. Signs will be placed on all campus buildings.

“Tobacco Free Campus” will be clearly posted at all main campus entrances.

It is prohibited to sell tobacco products or advertise the sale of tobacco products on University property or in University publications.

Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or other disposable products is prohibited.

Organizers and attendees at events (meetings, conferences, lectures, cultural events and sporting events) using Southeastern facilities are required to abide by the policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.

Courtesy and consideration will be exercised when informing others unaware of and/or in disregard of this policy. No retaliation will occur to any person for doing so.

Compliance with this policy by all students, faculty and staff is expected based on Southeastern’s commitment to a healthy culture, free of tobacco, and should be a cooperative effort, encouraged by all students, faculty and staff.

Enforcement

Compliance with this policy by all students, faculty and staff is expected based on our commitment to a healthy culture, free of tobacco, and should be a cooperative effort, encouraged by all faculty, staff and students.

A complaint against an offender who fails to respond to a request by another may be referred to a dean, director, or other manager. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for an offender against whom multiple complaints have been received. Complaints regarding violations of this policy shall be addressed as follows:

Students

– SOSU Students Residing in University Housing shall be directed to and handled by the Office of Residence Life. If the violation merits such action, the complaint may be escalated to the Dean of Students Office.

– All Other SOSU Students shall be directed to and handled by the Dean of Students Office and can be directed to the incident reporting document on the current students page.

Faculty and Staff

– Faculty shall be directed to the appropriate department chair, followed by the Dean of Instruction, and, finally, to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

– Staff shall be directed to the supervisor/department chair, then the department director or manager/Dean, and then the Vice President in the employee’s administrative channel.

Visitors

– Visitors shall be directed to and handled by the Campus Police. The visitor may be asked to leave University premises for failure to comply.