‘Smoker Islands” cause major problems
Dear Editor,
Have you ever had to wait for a bus at one of the Valleys; [dormitories] Smoker’s Islands? This causes confusion for the bus drivers and those who are waiting when the bus comes to a stop.
People waiting on Smokers Island have to deal with the smell of the cigarette smoke. Most nonsmokers dislike the smell of smoke because some may have asthma. Not only do the waiting students have to deal with the cigarette butts, but the custodial crew has to clean them up after the smokers have left. Have you ever had to clean up cigarette butts? Well, I have and it is not a fun experience at all. It is one of the reasons why I will never smoke and for my great dislike for those who smoke.
Moving Smokers Island from where it is will be less confusing for the bus drivers as well as for those getting on and off the buses. Less confusion will help bus drivers stay on schedule and save money on fuel expenses. Moving the place where smokers are smoking will help place them away from the main pathway to and from the Valleys. This new place still needs to be at least 100 feet from the buildings. With just the bus stop on Smokers Island, there will be [fewer] times when the bus driver has to stop and open the doors thinking that the smoker is waiting for the bus.
Another option is to move the bus stop. The students may have to walk a little further but it would allow the smokers to keep Smokers Island. An unfortunate consequence is that the students may have a longer walk in the winter, but this would not be as bad as walking up the hill when it’s covered in snow and ice. I would like to suggest that Smokers Island be moved. This would cause less confusion and possibly save time on bus routes around campus and save on fuel expenses.
Sincerely,
Heather Haubenstricker
WMU freshman
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=11679
Posted by heraldstaff
on Nov 11 2009. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
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I have been a smoker at WMU for three years…I smoked on smoker’s island as a freshman and met a bunch of friends smokers and non-smokers. We live here too, and there is a significant number of students and faculty who smoke, its a part of life.
When i was a freshman we didn’t have buses picking us up from the dorms, we walked down the hill to the bus stop. It’s a great way to avoid the freshman fifteen.
What bothers me is when people talk on their cell phone on smoker’s island, can we ban them next? They sit on the phone yapping away filling the island with nosie pollution while i’m waiting for the bus and they confuse the bus drivers as well.
As absurd as it sounds…you have to ask what’s next? The best solution would be your suggestion of moving the bus stop.
I apologize if I sound condesscending…but just as irriated as you are for irresponsible smokers, I am equally as irrated by people picking on me for my lifestyle.