The 2010-2011 school year is the first year that Pomona will not allow smoking in any of its dormitories, after the administration decided to disallow smoking in the campus’s only smoking dormitory, Lawry Court.

The campus became nearly smoke-free in 2003, when residential smoking areas were restricted to only two hallways in Lawry Court. According to Dean of Campus Life Ric Townes, the question of whether to ban smoking entirely in Lawry came up again last year during a discussion of the new dorms. In order for a building to be certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system, it must meet several enrivonmentally-friendly qualifications, including not allowing smoking. In an effort to move the entire campus in the direction of LEED certification, the decision was made to ban smoking in Lawry, making all campus buildings smoke-free.

Townes said public health was another important consideration. Students have voiced concern over smoking every year, he said, and although the discussion has been long and protracted, reaching a conclusion had never been a top priority. The new policy, however, is a decisive answer to the question, banning smoking inside and near (25 feet or closer) all on-campus buildings.

Townes said that this decision was in no way connected with last year’s proposed ban on the sale of cigarettes at the Coop Store, and that the Office of Campus Life does not have an “anti-smoker” agenda.

Some students said they felt otherwise. Paulette Barros PO ’11, a Lawry resident and occasional smoker who was recently written up for smoking on her balcony, said that she understands the administration’s position, but feels that smokers are being ignored.

“There are quite a few smokers in Lawry,” she said, gesturing toward a bowl full of lighters placed nearby. “I understand that there are some people who don’t like the smell of cigarettes, but the balconies are outside … and we should have our privileges, too.”

Barros said that out of all the residents in Lawry’s A-Tower, only one has expressed an objection to smoking in the dormitory.

Some students also expressed irritation at the administration’s failure to inform students at Room Draw that Lawry would be completely smoke-free this year.

“People who live in Lawry have a certain set of expectations, and changing policy at the last minute is not okay,” said Isaac Kastama PO ’11, a resident of Lawry’s C-Tower.

Dean Townes was apologetic about the lack of notification.

“If I had it to do over again, I would inform people at room draw,” he said. “I am sorry for any misunderstanding.”