At West Virginia University, we are committed to the overall health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. That's why all campuses across the WVU System will be tobacco- and smoke-free beginning in early August.
Earlier this spring, the WVU Board of Governors approved BOG Finance and Administration Rule 5.6 – Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus, which supersedes BOG Policy 57 – Tobacco-Free Campus. The tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule will go into effect on August 1, 2019.
The rule expands the prohibitions set forth in the prior policy and clarifies that in addition to tobacco products, smoking in any form (including e-cigarettes and vapor products) is prohibited on WVU property.
The rule also was broadened to include the University’s divisional campuses (WVU Institute of Technology and WVU Potomac State College) in addition to WVU’s Morgantown campus.
WVU is seeking voluntary compliance for the tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule. However, the University also has established several methods of enforcement as permitted by law and in accordance with University policy for students, faculty, staff, vendors and visitors who violate the rule.
Enforcement will be fair and consistent, and non-compliance will be addressed in accordance with existing or forthcoming rules, policies and procedures.
As students return for the fall semester, a compliance officer will begin monitoring WVU’s Morgantown campus. Further, students, faculty and staff can report violations via a new website. Submissions will be handled with anonymity and help identify additional locations where the rule is frequently violated.
In early fall, the University will launch a Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus Ambassador program for students in partnership with WellWVU. The program is designed to create greater awareness of the tobacco- and smoke-free campus rule and promote wellness programs and cessation resources available to students, faculty and staff.
Students will receive service hours for participating in the program and will provide education and respectful reminders to people seen smoking or using tobacco products on our campuses.
Visit tobaccoandsmokefree.wvu.edu for more information and to view FAQs on the rule. Contact the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus Steering Committee at TobaccoSmokeFreeTaskForce@mail.wvu.edu with any questions.