Campus Policies

Taft College is committed to:

• A Drug Free Campus
• A Tobacco Free Campus
• An Atmosphere Free of Sexual Harassment

Drug Free Campus

     At Taft College, it is recognized that an academic community is harmed in many ways by the abuse of alcohol and the use of other drugs. Decreased productivity of members of the community, serious health problems, and strained social interactions are all possible products of such abuse.

     Problems associated with the illicit use and abuse of substances have a pervasive impact upon an academic community and are not associated with a singular socioeconomic group or age level. The processes of education and learning are especially impaired by alcohol abuse and the use of illicit drugs.

     The foundation of the philosophy concerning alcohol and drug abuse for Taft College is a firm commitment to an educational program which provides adequate information and counseling to make informed and responsible decisions concerning the use of any controlled substance. The college is committed to a healthy environment for learning and living.

     The policy of the Board of Trustees of the West Kern Community College District regarding the prohibition against illegal drugs and alcohol for employees reads as follows:

"Illegal drug and alcohol use is highly detrimental to the workplace and to the efficiency and productivity the district desires to promote. The use, possession, distribution or sale of illegal drugs and alcohol, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is strictly prohibited while on the district premises, while representing the district on district business, or while operating a vehicle on duty. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, possibly including discharge."

A Tobacco Free Campus

AP 3570 Smoking on Campus

Reference:

Government Code Section 7597

Resolution Recognizing Taft College as a Tobacco-Free Campus 11/10/04

Taft College is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for the students, faculty and staff of this campus. The United States Surgeon General in his 1996 report on Involuntary Smoking concluded:

•  Involuntary smoking is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in healthy nonsmokers, and
•  The simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen, a substance known to cause cancer in humans. The EPA does not recognize a safe level of exposure to Group A carcinogens.

The legislature of the State of California and the public through the initiative ballot have enacted legislation banning smoking from workplaces and all buildings accessible to the general public throughout the state. Consistent with this trend the Board of Trustees of the West Kern Community College District have further authorized to limit smoking at Taft College to specified areas.

In light of these findings and actions:

1. The College shall be a smoke free campus except for officially posted designated smoking areas effective January 01, 2005. In addition, the use of smokeless tobacco in any form is strongly discouraged and shall not be permitted in any classroom or other enclosed facility, or at any college activity.
2. Tobacco products shall be not sold or distributed in any manner on campus either in vending machines, the bookstore, or any other campus area. This prohibition includes free samples distributed by vendors or event sponsors. Advertising and sponsorship of campus events by tobacco companies will not be permitted.
3. This procedure shall apply to all Taft campus facilities, owned or leased, including athletic facilities, and all college vehicles.
4. This procedure pertains to students, faculty, staff, administrators, visitors, and the general public attending campus events.
5. The designated areas shall be within a reasonable distance for access by students, faculty, staff, administrators and visitors as determined by the appropriate administrator.
6. The campus shall make available to students, faculty, and staff and administrators information about smoking cessation programs.

This procedure and campus maps showing designated smoking areas shall be made available to all employees and students through appropriate campus Web sites and publications. Signage shall be visible at all designated areas and directional signage identifying designated areas shall be posted where needed.

To give people a reasonable amount of time to adjust to this new procedure the following implementation schedule will be used:

•  January 1, 2005 March 30, 2005 Advertise the new procedure and post the designated smoking areas
•  April 1, 2005 June 30, 2005 Begin requiring smoking only in designated areas with reminders issued to those in violation of the new procedure
•  July 1, 2005 Full enforcement of the new procedure

Current designated smoking areas include the following seven areas (pdf map of locations):

1. Southeast end of the quad, near Student Support Services
2. East of Baseball field, between fence and ASB clubhouse
3. East of the Vocational building in grass area
4. Between the Gym and the Dental Hygiene Buildings
5. Seventh Street Dorms
6. East of Ash Street Dorms
7. West of Ash Street Dorms

All smoking areas will be identified by a sign that says "Designated Smoking Area." Request for modification to these areas should be submitted to the Vice President for Administrative Services.

Questions and problems regarding this procedure should be handled through existing administrative processes. Please contact the office of the Vice President of Student Services or the Vice President of Administrative Services if you have questions or concerns.

It is not the intention of this procedure to isolate or stigmatize any person because they choose to smoke. The success of this procedure will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers.

Policy on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is prohibited by Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and also by Board Policy of the Trustees of West Kern Community College District.

Sexual harassment can be verbal or physical, and can include such behavior as sexual advances, gestures, comments about clothing, body, or sexual activities, request for sexual favors, sex jokes and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward an employee, student or applicant.

It is the policy of Taft College to ensure an environment free from sexual harassment for its employees and students and for all who apply for student or employee status. All employees and students should be aware that Taft College will not tolerate sexual harassment, and action will be taken to eliminate such conduct.

If you need assistance or more information see Abel Nunez, Vice President, Student Services.