Last week a Facebook post about UTRGV’s smoking policy, said as a joke, caused controversy between students. The post made by Vaquero Radio Assistant Station Manager, Jerry Galindo, showed photos of a blue JUUL cap on the floor with a caption stating: “Just found outside Edinburg Liberal Arts Building South.
JUUL and other vape products are banned on campus guys.” UTRGV Chief of Police, Raul Munguia explains why UTRGV became a tobacco free campus.
We are trying to keep a good work environment, a good learning environment, and smoking isn’t conducive to that, especially to those who are sensitive to smoke.
UTRGV released the Tobacco-free workplace policy in September of 2015. The policy states that “Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product is prohibited.” Criminal justice junior, LuzArgelia Garcia says she commends UTRGV for implementing the tobacco-free policy.
I think they made that decision to be fair to everyone. Whether they choose not to smoke, or it would like really, really bad for their health. Yeah, and I commend them, I think they did a good thing.
Although Galindo says he posted the photos as a joke, some users did not see the humor. With GIF’s stating “Burn the witch, burn her.” Chief Mungia says that if Galindo feels harassed, he can file a police report.
They would have to come and preserve those texts or those emails, whatever it is that they are sending and make a police report, and that way we can get them entered.
Galindo says he won’t file a report, since he believes students should “be free” to express themselves.
To learn more information about UTRGV’s cessation policy, call 956-882-8205.
Reporter Samantha Garza
