Ashley Larson and Candi Molina Santana

Contributing Writers

New changes are being implemented to curb smoking inside residence halls, including improved detectors, cameras, fines and police intervention. On Sept. 9, 2024, the ESU Senate meeting discussed the ongoing issue of students smoking inside residence halls and tampering with safety equipment.

New smoke detectors are being installed in the stairwells and will detect the substance being smoked, including vapor. These detectors will be paired with cameras, so there will be real-time evidence of both the substance and the students who used it.

“We thought it’d be very advantageous for us to put those pilot sensing smoke detectors in that area along with cameras, so that we can actually get video of individuals in the act as well,” said Curtis Dugar, Director of Residential Life and Housing, at the meeting.

Fumigation fines of $250 will be given to those caught smoking inside rooms, as well as additional charges for tampering with safety equipment and other damages.

Additionally, Governor Shapiro has opted for Monroe County to join the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI). The LETI connects those who have committed minor drug offenses with a substance abuse program instead of putting them through the criminal system.

“We want to be very proactive when it comes to us being engaged with our community and being able to know who’s choosing to violate those policies in real-time,” says Dugar.

Before, students caught in violation would be completely removed from the ESU community while their case was going through the conduct process, which could severely impact their academic performance. Now, student conduct has the option of removing students from residence halls while still keeping them in their classes, according to Stemler.

The pilot program will monitor the stairways, and its efficacy will be decided by the end of the academic year. In the meantime, if students are caught smoking inside their rooms, they are referred to student conduct and then told to pack up a bag for a 48 hour relocation period.

When asked if the police will be involved when students get caught, Dugar said, “Our student staff is trained to handle the matters directly, however, they are always encouraged to contact the police if they feel like they need them to assist.” Dugar also said that for minor offenses student staff and resident directors can take care of it.

“Should it come down to it, there is a program through Monroe County called the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI). So for these minor infractions, involving marijuana, before an officer would have some sort of discretion. Let him go,” said Interim Chief of Police Ralph Elick at the meeting. “But now I’m encouraging to forward some types of charges with them so they can get them into this law enforcement initiative.”

But that doesn’t mean students can get off scot-free. Beyond the campus, smoking illegal substances still has consequences:

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem,” Elick told the Stroud Courier. “If they get arrested four times, they’re not going to get that option, obviously.”