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Welcome to the OTC Tobacco-Free Web Page

This page provides information about Ozark Technical Community College's Tobacco-Free policy implemented in 2003 and The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy established in 2004. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help others develop and implement successful tobacco-free campus policies!

Ty Patterson
Director of The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-8887
patterst@otc.edu

OTC Tobacco-Free Policy

OTC is a Tobacco-Free institution and is committed to providing its students and employees with a safe and healthy environment. No consumption of tobacco or tobacco products is allowed on any college property or in any college facility; this includes all buildings, grounds, sidewalks and streets within the campus proper. The institution displays notices of the tobacco-free policy at all college locations.

Reasons for adoption of the policy:

  1. Presence of underage students
  2. Tobacco litter desecrating the campus
  3. Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) at building entrances/exits
  4. The desire to assure clean air for all who come to the college

For more information check out the Background information, Enforcement and the Timeline of Policy Implementation or contact Ty Patterson, Director of the Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, at 417-447-8887 or e-mail patterst@otc.edu.

Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy

The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy at Ozarks Technical Community College was created in January 2004. The mission of the Center of Excellence focuses on five main areas:

  • Collect best practices from higher education institutions successfully implementing tobacco-free campus policy.
  • Perform ongoing research on the impact of tobacco-free campus policy
  • Organize workshops to provide information to prospective campuses that are considering going tobacco-free.
  • Disseminate information to those interested in tobacco-free campus policy.
  • Pursue funding for The Center.

Services to Institutions

A variety of services are available for those interested in making their institution/organization tobacco-free. These services include teleconference, webinar, ITV conference, workshop and on campus consultation.

Many services are provided free of charge. For information including the cost of consultation services and the annual tobacco-free workshop please contact Mr. Patterson.

The Center of Excellence hosts one day Making Your Campus Tobacco-Free Workshops each year. For a list of the institutions/organizations participating in the previous workshops click here.

What others say about assistance provided by the Center of Excellence

“At Lane Community College, we have been working towards becoming a tobacco-free campus for over two years now. After a presentation by and discussion with Ty Patterson, from the Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, we have seen a renewed interest in our quest to make Lane a tobacco-free campus. Ty brought a refreshing, new perspective to a discussion around tobacco-free campus policy. He discussed reasons for adopting a 100% Tobacco-Free Policy and clarified facts about going tobacco-free, for example, enrollment will not decline, employees who use tobacco will not resign, and that these policies are more enforceable than limited restrictions. He also reviewed steps to successful implementation of tobacco-free campus policy such as emphasizing compliance rather than enforcement, creating awareness around the movement to make public places tobacco-free and focusing on the importance of the institution's role as a community leader. The presentation opened a very respectful yet passionate discussion from those wanting to see the college become tobacco-free and from those adamantly opposed. Ty's presentation and the following discussion brought us all together and created a dialogue of cooperation. As we continue to pursue the path of a tobacco-free campus policy, we will continue to follow Ty's guidelines and recommendations.”

Wendy Simmons - Employee Wellness Coordinator
Lane Community College - Eugene, Oregon


“As Stanly Community College began preparation to become a tobacco-free institution, we were pleased to receive great insight from Ty Patterson of Ozarks Technical Community College. Ty was extremely generous with his expertise in the process and preparation necessary for a smooth transition to a tobacco-free campus. Ty shared his program with us and many of our North Carolina College System officials at a drive-in program hosted at SCC. During this program Ty gave us tips on how to involve the entire campus for a seamless process. We are pleased to say that the policy change has been well-received by our students, faculty and staff. Thanks so much to Ty and his team at Ozarks Technical Community College. We are grateful for the support, guidance and experience they have shared with SCC.”

Michael R. Taylor, Ed.D. - President
Stanly Community College - Albemarle, North Carolina


“OTC has been a true pioneer in assisting other colleges to adopt tobacco-free policies. Spokesperson Ty Patterson and his trendsetting team of educators offer step-by-step guidance through written materials and seminars that give examples of what worked and what didn’t work for them and for others. Their Center of Excellence and their Tobacco-Free Campus Workshops are well organized to teach through experience. OTC continues to pave the way to a healthy and safe learning and working environment for students, employees, and citizens throughout our state and nation.”

John M. McGuire, Ph.D. - President
St. Charles Community College, MO


More Testimonials...

Consultation Services

The Director of The Center of Excellence performs consulting services for institutions interested in becoming tobacco-free. The cost of consultation services is $400 per day paid to The Center of Excellence plus expenses for travel, meals and lodging (if needed) paid to the Director of The Center. Since the inception of The Center of Excellence, consultation services have been provided to the following institutions:

  • Southwest Oregon Community College, Coos Bay. (Spring 2009)
  • Lane Community College, Eugene. (Spring 2009)
  • Rogue Community College, Medford Campus (Spring 2009)
  • Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, New York. (Fall 2008)
  • Le Moyne College, Syracuse, New York. (Fall 2008)
  • Bryant and Stratton Technical College, Syracuse, New York. (Fall 2008)
  • Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, Iowa.  (Spring 2008)
  • St. Louis Community College-Meramec, St. Louis, Missouri. (Spring 2008)
  • University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  (Winter  2008)
  • Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon. (Winter 2008)
  • Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon.  (Winter 2008)
  • Ivy Tech Community College, Lafayette, Indiana. (Spring 2007)
  • Oklahoma State University, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  (Spring 2007)
  • Lansing Community College, Lansing, Michigan. (Spring 2007)
  • Stanly Community College, Albemarle, North Carolina. (Spring 2007)
  • Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa. (Spring 2007)
  • St. Louis Community College, Florissant Valley, St. Louis, Missouri.  (Summer 2006)
  • Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois. (Summer 2006)
  • University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. (Fall 2005)

For additional information regarding the Center of Excellence or to schedule a visit, contact Ty Patterson, Vice President of Student Services and Director of the Center of Excellence at 417-447-6952. 

Model Community College Tobacco-Free Policy

The following model was drafted by the American Lung Association of Oregon and Mr. Andrew Epstein, Oregon School Policy Coordinator at ALA; Mr. Epstein worked with Mr. Patterson in developing this model policy. This policy and other important Tobacco-Free information can be accessed at www.lungoregon.org.

More information:

 

OTC Tobacco-Free Advisory Committee

Tobacco-Free Policy implementation at Ozarks Technical Community College has been guided by a Tobacco-Free Advisory Committee consisting of a group of eminent individuals from the community and the College. The role of the committee is not limited to the policy but extends to providing a vision to the Center of Excellence in reaching out to different constituents across the community and the nation. The Center of Excellence is grateful to the Tobacco-Free Advisory Committee for their services. Members serving on this advisory committee are as follows:

Jim Blaine, MD Chair of the OTC Tobacco-Free Advisory Committee and Medical Director of the OTC Health & Wellness Clinic.
Frank A. Cornella, DDS, MD Oral Surgery of Springfield 3237 E. Sunshine Springfield, MO 65804 (417) 881-4546
Dalen Duitsman Doctorate in Health Ed.     Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and Director of Ozarks Public Health Institute at Missouri State University
Jean Grabeel, RN, M. Ed Health Services Coordinator, Springfield Public Schools
Marilyn Hill, RN Executive Director of Corporate Health & Wellness, St. John’s Health System
Delores Joyce Project Coordinator, Ozarks Public Health Institute, Missouri State University
Elizabeth Keith, MS Community Education and Training Center Coordinator, Cox Health Center
Bonnie Linhardt Advocacy Director, American Heart Association, Heartland Affiliate, Jefferson City
Charlie O’Reilly Vice Chairman of the Board O’Reilly Auto Parts
Sylvia Persky Associate Director, Community Partnership of the Ozarks
James T. Rogers, MD Director, Primary Care Department, St. John’s Health System
Jeff A. Rogers District Wellness Coordinator, Springfield Public Schools Health Services
Terri Stafford American Lung Association
Katie Towns American Cancer Society
Joan Barrett Dean of Students and Registrar, OTC
Karla Gregg Dean of Counseling & Advising, OTC
Doris Huitt Secretary for the Vice President of Student Affairs, OTC (Retired)
Jeff Jochems Assistant to the Vice President for Administrative Services, OTC
Ty Patterson Director of The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Pete Rothrock Director of Safety & Security, OTC
Joyce Thomas Director of Counseling and Advising, OTC
Rob Rector Vice President for Administrative Services, OTC

FAQs

Why did OTC become tobacco-free in 2003?

Map
  • The presence of high school students on campus each day.
  • Unsightly debris littering the ground.
  • Smoky areas at building entrances.
  • An overall desire to create a safe and healthy environment for all students.

What does "Tobacco-Free" mean exactly?

Tobacco-free means that OTC strives for a completely, 100% tobacco-free campus. Smoking has been prohibited inside all college buildings since the college was established in 1990.Since August 1, 2003 tobacco use has not been permitted anywhere on campus. This includes all common areas, parking lots, building entrances, etc. In other words-if you are anywhere on the OTC campus, you may not use tobacco products.

See the map above to specifically define the tobacco-free area...anything within the above box is OTC campus and is tobacco-free.

What happens if you are caught smoking or chewing tobacco on campus?

For the first year of the tobacco-free campus policy, OTC Safety and Security Officers emphasized voluntary compliance and did not cite students for using tobacco products. OTC entered the second phase of enforcement on October 18, 2004. If you are discovered using tobacco products on campus you may receive a citation and will be required to meet with the Director of Safety and Security. In addition, you will need to either pay a fine of $15 or spend two hours cleaning up tobacco refuse around campus.

How many students use tobacco products here at OTC?

The number of students at OTC who use tobacco has decreased since the policy was implemented. In the Spring of 2003, 31% of students reported current tobacco use and by Fall 2003 the number had decreased to 26%. Surveys taken by the Fall 2004 graduating class indicated that only 22% of the graduating class are tobacco-users.

College students are too young to want to quit smoking, right?

No! The most recent student surveys here at OTC showed that over 83% of tobacco-users (smokers and those that use chewing tobacco) have tried to quit at least once in the last year, and 45% say they would like to quit soon.

Has the implementation of Tobacco-Free policy adversely impacted enrollment at OTC or other institutions?

There is no evidence of any negative impact on enrollment here or at any college we have worked with after the policy was put into effect. However, it is difficult to know if someone might have decided to NOT apply for admission because of the policy. Therefore, we have focused on comparing actual enrollment to projections AND on asking those who apply but do not convert to enrollees if the policy was a factor in their decision to not enroll. These measures do not reflect any impact of the policy one way or the other. In our surveys of prospective students, students, graduates and employees support for the policy has always been from 65% to 80%, those opposed from 25% to 15% with the others expressing no opinion. We have not conducted much research on the impact of our policy preferring to focus our attention on creating an atmosphere of respect for individuals whether they use tobacco or not and voluntary compliance with the policy to assure clean air to all.

Who should I talk to about questions or concerns that I have about the Tobacco-Free Campus Policy?

Your opinion and feedback are very important to us and we want to help you understand the policy and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact Ty Patterson, Director of the Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, (417) 447-8887.

Cessation Information

OTC is committed to providing assistance to students, staff and faculty members wanting to quit using tobacco. OTC provides on– campus resources for students as well as referrals to programs in the Springfield community. The American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking® program. The ALA’s lifestyle behavior modification program incorporates:

  • Stress Management Techniques
  • Exercise & Nutrition Programs
  • Effective Smoking Cessation Methods
  • Ongoing Support Group meetings

The program is available on-campus through Counseling & Career Resources at (417) 447-6974, or through the American Lung Association in Springfield, (417) 883-7177.

Cessation Programs in the Community

If you are a tobacco user and carry health insurance coverage, most health care plans provide reimbursement benefits for those who successfully complete a tobacco cessation program. Call your insurance provider to learn more about your preventative health benefits.

St. John’s Road to Freedom Tobacco Cessation Program

  • A “Road to Freedom” self help kit containing dozens of valuable tips and tools
  • Nutrition consultation to reduce cravings
  • Stress management classes
  • Support group schedule and information
  • Telephone follow-up support

For more information, contact the St. John’s Road to Freedom program at (417) 820-9459.

Or contact them by 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Springfield-Greene County Health Department Smoking Cessation Support Group

  • A 15-minute education session
  • Open discussion among participants
  • Discussion topics including stories of success and struggle, helpful tips, and various methods to overcome smoking obstacles.

This support group opportunity will be offered numerous times throughout the year. Call Karen at the Health Department at (417) 864-1687 for exact times and locations.

For more information

For further information on the risks involved with using tobacco, visit the following sites: