Ginny Gnadt
Senior Public Relations Specialist
(414) 297-6770, gnadtv@matc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Milwaukee Campus Entrances Go Smoke-Free
MILWAUKEE (Nov. 7, 2006) – More than 20 entryways to the Downtown Milwaukee Campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College will be designated smoke-free as of Monday, Nov. 13. These new rules enact recommendations made by the Joint Indoor Air Quality Committee, aligning MATC with other public institutions. Many entrances at the regional campuses had already become smoke-free within the last year. Smoking still will be permitted outside a few entrances and in designated sidewalk areas. Now, though, nonsmokers will find ample smoke-free access routes.
This culminates four years’ work by the air quality committee, comprised of both union and non-represented staff. In an employee survey in spring 2003, 74 percent of respondents supported smoke-free entrances. In November 2005, the all-campus Student Senate approved college-wide implementation. “By implementing a smoke-free environment both inside and outside its facilities, MATC will enhance the teaching and learning environment and promote better health for future generations,” said President Darnell E. Cole.
According to a June 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s report, secondhand smoke is a dangerous public health hazard responsible for the premature death of tens of thousands of nonsmokers every year.
Sue Ruggles, committee co-chair for Local 212, said: “The Joint IAQ Committee is working to improve the campus environment for the entire MATC community. Smoke-free entrances are a big step forward. Everybody benefits when we work together." “We are very pleased to take this step forward for the health and safety of all our students, employees and visitors,” said Jeff Fidlin, administrative co-chair of the committee.
For years, MATC has complied with the Clean Indoor Air Act prohibiting smoking in public places. The MATC student handbook outlines the college’s smoke-free policy, which includes entrances to facilities. For more information, please contact Janice Falkenberg, MATC assistant general counsel, at (414) 297-8718.
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