Student smokers form group to roll back college smoking restrictions

JOLIET -- After being exiled to the Joliet Junior College parking lot because of new smoking restrictions, several friends did what comes naturally to students with a beef, they formed a group of similarly aggrieved people.

The first test for Students for Smokers' Rights came Monday, when they met with college President Gena Proulx and campus police Chief Peter Comanda.

For nearly an hour, the group's leader, Brandon Harris, and four others tried to make a case for easing up on the new restrictions, which went into effect Jan. 1. The new rules require smokers to stand in designated areas in the parking lot, some 100 feet from building entrances.

Harris claims he has been late for classes in the technical building because he has to stand so far away.

It was an argument that wasn't very convincing to officials. Comanda pointed out smokers disregarded previous rules barring them from within 30 feet of entrances. Instead, they stood so close to doorways that other students started to complain.

Proulx and Comanda also reminded the group the new policy was formed, in part, after a survey of students, faculty and staff showed that 30 percent favored forcing smokers to the parking lots while an equal percentage wanted smoking completely banned from the campus.

A major complaint of Harris and others is that smokers used to be able to stand in outdoor walkways that sheltered them from the rain and snow. Proulx agreed to look into the possibility of installing a patio shelter, paid for by smokers, and relocating some of the benches.