This is about the article concerning smokers (The World, Oct. 28) “College May Snuff out Smokers.” Why?

This is still the United States of America and we should still have some rights left, without having intimidation hanging over our heads. Nonsmokers have rights. Rules and regulations have gotten the smokers outside. Now they are further outside, because they have to be so far away from doors, windows and vents. State law requires a 10-foot separation.

The Southwestern Oregon Community College student leader’s idea of completely throwing the smokers to the curb and off campus to smoke is wrong. More than likely the majority of the people who took the survey were nonsmokers. He doesn’t need to try to copy other community colleges. Instead of trying to kick the smokers off campus, create designated smoking areas by putting smoking booths well away from any structure. Have them big enough to sit two picnic tables and make it enclosed from the weather. The Veterans Affairs office in Roseburg did that for the veterans who smoke. I’m sure the faculty and/or the college board can make that happen.

I would think the student leader would have much more pressing worries on his mind, such as all the crimes on the campus. Campus security must be running to exhaustion to even catch up on their paperwork. Coos Bay police officers might think SOCC is beginning to be their second home because of so many calls on the campus. It seems a day can’t go by without the SOCC campus being in the thefts and mischief section of The World.

On Oct. 28 at 9:33 p.m., a woman reported her vehicle was stolen from SOCC. Police cited three teenage girls for possession of alcohol at SOCC, again. Does SOCC have surveillance cameras? If so, maybe they don’t have enough. It would be great to catch criminals on tape and take the strain off campus security and the Coos Bay Police Department. The faculty and the board should create a strict campus rules policy stating there will be a zero tolerance of criminal activity on drugs, pot and underage drinking.

SOCC is an institution for higher learning and a better way of life. It’s not housing for overgrown adolescence. Anyone who does drugs or supplies alcohol to minors should be arrested, fined and expelled from college. I would think the cigarette smoker would be the student leader’s least problem or worry.

Brad Perkins

North Bend