UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA

Tobacco Free Campus Policy Enforcement Protocol for Student Violations 

Background: UMA’s Tobacco-Free Campus Policy prohibits the use of any tobacco or non-FDA approved nicotine product, including smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes, on both UMA campuses and at all UMA centers. The policy is effective January 1, 2013, with formal enforcement commencing on July 1, 2013. This policy applies to all fulltime and part-time staff, faculty, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors.

Overview of Enforcement (starting July 1, 2013): UMA’s enforcement practices focus on education, normally allowing students two warnings prior to any formal sanctioning. A student who continues to violate the UMA Tobacco-Free Campus Policy following two warning notifications is referred to the Coordinator of Community Standards and Mediation (Student Conduct Officer) for appropriate action based on the UMS Student Conduct Code. Continuing violations may result in fines, community service or other appropriate sanctions.

Enforcement Procedures Effective July 1, 2013:

  • Evidence of prohibited tobacco use may include (but is not limited to) viewing the student smoking, disposing of a lit cigarette, exhaling smoke, spitting chew, smoking in a vehicle with the windows down, or using an electronic cigarette.
  • With evidence of prohibited tobacco use, a University employee informs the student of the policy, requests compliance, and provides information which summarizes the tobacco-free policy and related resource information. At the time of the incident the employee may also require the student to identify him or herself*.
  • The employee notifies the Student Conduct Officer of the details their interaction.
    1. Normally, the Student Conduct Officer considers the first two such reports as warnings.
    2. With information regarding a second warning to a student, the Student Conduct Officer initiates contact with the student, explains the potential sanctions for a student who continues to violate the policy; offers to discuss strategies to avoid further violations; and reminds the student of resources available regarding tobacco use.
    3. Notification of a third student violation will typically trigger a formal student conduct procedure.
    4. Normally, the sanctions for a student conduct finding of “in violation” of the Tobacco Free Campus Policy are as follows:
      1. 1st Conduct Violation: assessment of a $25 fine or 2 hours of on-campus or University-approved community service.
      2. 2nd Conduct Violation: assessment of a $50 fine or 4 hours of on-campus or University-approved community service.
  • Failure to comply with the above sanctions will trigger a hold on the student’s account and may result in further conduct charges.
  1. 3rd (or more) Conduct Violation: an appropriate sanction, up to and including suspension from the University of Maine System.
  • Failure of a student to discontinue tobacco use in a timely manner upon an official request constitutes a student conduct offense and may result in an immediate referral to the student conduct process; it does not require two prior warnings.
  • *Failure of a student to properly identify him or herself to a University employee in pursuit of their official duties constitutes a student conduct offense and may result in an immediate referral to the student conduct process.
  • Written reports of student tobacco violations received from others not considered University employees shall be addressed in a manner consistent with both the UMA Tobacco-Free Campus Enforcement Protocol and the UMS Student Conduct Code.

8/27/12