The Llama Ledger - Bard College at Simon's Rock's Student Newspaper

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News

New additions to the Smoking Circle include the "sandbox" base and the shades overhead.

Students returned from October break to find a sandbox where the tri-dorm smoking circle used to be, complete with the butt depot, trash cans, chairs and table that used to mark the designated spot where students were allowed to smoke. There were also two tarps hanging above the smoking circle, designed to keep the circle dry from rain.

Although to some the sandbox is a welcome alternative over the dust and dirt that used to mark the smoking area, other students question whether sand is a logical choice given its ashtray-like consistency. Some students have also complained that the tarps the administration implemented cannot withstand heavy rain and have suggested that they will not withstand snow.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Bob Graves said the administration originally had other plans for the smoking circle which proved not to be feasible.

"We talked about maybe putting up a platform, but the land slopes and leveling it off would have been too costly, and someone could have fallen off the platform."

A student proposed the sandbox as an alternative to the platform which would be cost effective and easy to maintain, Graves said. "Sand was doable. You can rake the cigarette butts, and everyone agreed it made sense. Facilities did it over break."

First-year Sierra Greaves said the sand has only worsened the situation for smokers. "The sand creates more of a disgusting feeling. It's like a giant ashtray."

The sandbox also has other problems, said first-year Cody Jones. "Stuff gets buried in the sand, and it rots and stagnates. People also just drop their butts in it."

Greaves also noted the defined lines of the sandbox caused her to feel extremely confined while she smoked.

Jones said the sand did hold some benefits, even if it wasn't perfect. "The sand is fun, though. It's nicer than just dust and dirt. This is definitely preferable to what we had before."

In regard to the tarps Physical Plant erected over break, Graves said that, ideally, they would cause water to run down over the sides and therefore keep out heavy rain from the smoking area. Graves also said they would protect the smokers from extreme sunlight.

"They should work, but I have seen somebody lying on top of one of them. But if people behave responsibly, they won't ruin it for everyone and they should work."

According to Graves, the tarps can withstand up to 70 mile per hour winds and should stay up all winter. "We might also get some shovels for that area to help keep it free of snow."

Greaves said the tarps have thus far not been helpful in keeping the smoking circle dry. "The tarps are pointless. People keep sitting on them. No matter where you sit, they drip. I can't see how they're going to keep out snow."

Jones said he agrees that the tarps are not a working solution to keeping out rain, possibly because students choose to sit on them. "The covers just don't hold out water, and they're already collapsing. People keep sitting on them."

Graves said the administration is still working on the problems they see with the smoking circle, and for the time being, this is just the next step.

"We've made a series of compromises. [The sandbox] gives people a space. It's a work in progress, and we'll see how it goes."

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Contact the author: aabramson@llamaledger.com

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