Ridgewater campuses go smoke free

Students heading to Ridgewater College next month will find that the school is joining other higher education institutions in Minnesota in implementing a tobacco-free campus policy on its Willmar and Hutchinson campuses.

The policy will be effective at the start of fall semester, Aug. 25. No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted on the school’s grounds. The new policy expands on one prohibiting tobacco use in college buildings and vehicles that has been in place for several years.

“This policy change was driven by a number of factors, but primarily by the desire to provide a healthy environment for our students, employees and visitors,” said Ridgewater President Douglas Allen. “As an institution of higher education, we believe we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and allowing tobacco product use on our campuses runs counter to that educational mission.”

Read more of this story in the Leader’s July 31 print edition.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)