Tobacco PolicyDesignated Tobacco AreasPolicy Information Cards
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Vincennes University Tobacco Policy - Frequently Asked QuestionsIs any tobacco/smoking allowed in residence halls? No.
Does this policy apply to city owned streets, sidewalks and right–of-ways? Vincennes University does not have jurisdiction over the use of city owned streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways in regard to tobacco-related activities. However, please note that many streets and adjacent sidewalks on the campus are university property. To avoid confusion, those wishing to use tobacco should utilize the designated tobacco areas or move to a site that is clearly not university property. Can I use tobacco in my personal car?
Parking lots owned by the university are included in the ban, however, there will be no effort to enforce the ban in private vehicles located on university property as long as users make a reasonable effort to contain smoke and tobacco related materials or waste inside the vehicle (e.g., keeping windows closed, not throwing cigarette remnants on ground). Will the Vincennes University Police Department be responsible for enforcing the tobacco policy? No. All university employees and students have a role of responsibility in the enforcement of the policy. How will the new policy be enforced?
The policy is in place to promote a healthy environment in which to work, study, and live. The enforcement of this policy will depend upon the cooperation of all faculty, staff, and students not only to comply with this policy but also to encourage others to also comply. Accordingly, tobacco users are expected to voluntarily comply with the policy. Anyone who observes a possible violation may courteously and without confrontation inform the individual of the tobacco policy and attempt to offer an information card which outlines the tobacco-free campus policy. Learn more about the information cards.Those who suspect another is violating the policy may report it to the appropriate unit for possible disciplinary action If the person is an employee and that person continues to use tobacco products in a prohibited area, report the incident. On the Vincennes Campus, contact the Office of Human Resource (888-5848); if the person is a student, report him or her to the Dean of Students (888-4301). If on the VUJC campus, please contact the Office of the Dean at 812-482-3030 or Director of Student Services (812) 482-3030. What are the consequences for violating the policy? Great efforts will be made to ensure faculty, staff and students are aware of the policy. Individuals who knowingly violate the policy will be referred to the appropriate campus administrative unit for disciplinary action. How do I tell visitors about our tobacco policy?
You may simply state, "For the health of our visitors, students and employees, tobacco is not allowed on our campus except at designated areas." You should also keep some of the policy info cards on hand. General tips for communicating with visitors?
Faculty and staff members courteously and tactfully approach the person and calmly explain the tobacco policy at Vincennes University. “For the health and safety of our visitors, students and employees, VU has designated smoking areas and they are located …. List.” Give him/her the card. Walk away. What happens if a visitor violates the tobacco policy? We expect visitors to the campus to comply with campus policy. You may inform a visitor of the policy and its importance to the campus. Reports of violations by visitors may be made to the Office of the Dean of Students. As an employee, do I have to quit using tobacco?
No, the university cannot mandate that you quit using tobacco, but you cannot use tobacco on university property except in designated areas. If you are interested in quitting, a number of resources are available to help you quit, including:
What resources are available to help those who are struggling with this change and would like counseling? Employees have access to the Health Office (888-4277) or with counseling needs should call the Counseling Center (888-4374) for a referral. What benefits are available through the university health care provider? Please check the Anthem web site: www.anthem.com/home-providers.html for information on health benefits. Does the policy affect employees at facilities off the Vincennes campus? The policy applies to Vincennes University properties including vehicles. Can university vehicles be used to travel off of university property to go on break and smoke off campus? University vehicles are to be used for business purposes only; using a university vehicle solely for the purpose of going off campus to smoke without a legitimate business purpose is prohibited. Isn’t this a violation of my civil rights?
No. The Trustees of Vincennes University have the authority to govern the use of university property and regulate its use. How should managers/supervisors talk to employees about the policy? It is recommended that managers/supervisors inform all employees of this policy both in writing and in person. What type of discipline will be used if someone violates this policy? Employees who engage in knowing repeated violations of the policy will be addressed through a meeting with their manager/supervisor. The review meeting might include an overview of the policy, a verbal warning or a written reprimand. Is employee training on the tobacco campus policy and implementation available? Yes. Training sessions are currently being scheduled. Please check with us soon for upcoming dates.
What resources are available to assist in the transition?
Vincennes University understands that change can be difficult. The following information and resources are available to assist in the transition. Vincennes University offers "Quit Kits" at various locations on campus. View list of offices. An extensive list of resources such as quitlines, smoking cessation programs in the community, etc. Thank you for your support!
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Free Bluegrass Jam is Feb. 12 at Vincennes University
January 25, 2012
VINCENNES, Ind. - The 12th Annual Old Post Bluegrass Jam will be Feb. 12 at
Vincennes University’s Beckes Student Union. Admission is free and the
public is invited to enjoy acoustic musicians as they jam together from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST). The Student Union is located at 1101 N. Second
Street and free parking is available on Third Street adjacent to the
building.
“We invite area musicians to bring their acoustic instruments and be
prepared to find folks to jam with. The Bluegrass Jam is a lot of fun for
both participants and the audience,” said Bill Stedman, longtime organizer
of the popular event.
In addition to jams throughout the building, there will also be groups
performing on stage in the Food Court, including Mariah Creek at 1 p.m.,
Diamond Hill Station at 2 p.m., Rocky Rhoads at 3 p.m., and Hawf Family
String Band at 4 p.m.
Food and beverages will be available at Grinder’s Coffee Shop beginning at
7:30 a.m. and the Food Court beginning at 10:30 a.m., featuring a pork
barbecue meal with fries, slaw, and small drink for $5.99.
For more information call 812-882-0429 or go to www.vincennescvb.org.
VU President to appear on Inside INdiana Business
January 25, 2012
VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University is opening a new Logistics Training
and Education Center in Plainfield on Jan. 27. VU President Dick Helton
will join Gerry Dick on the next Inside INdiana Business television program
to discuss the central Indiana Logistics Center’s impact.
Tune in on Saturday at 11 a.m. (EST) on WTHI-TV or 5:30 p.m. on WVUT-TV.
Check the show's website for other air times:
www.insideindianabusiness.com.
VU Accounting students to prepare tax returns
January 25, 2012
VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University students majoring in accounting will
be preparing tax returns for persons in the community and VU students. The
students, under the direction of Lisa Nash, assistant professor, are
certified by testing through the IRS.
This free service is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. Preparation ends March 1. The
service will also be offered on two Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4.
Students prepare 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with schedules A, B, C-EZ, D, child
and dependent care credit, and education credits. The returns are filed
electronically with direct deposit available if desired.
Nash says that this is a good experience for students and enables them to
feel more comfortable dealing with clients, engaging in conversation,
performing as a professional, as well as a tax preparation experience.
Appointments are required. To schedule, or for more information, call
2-1-1 or Generations at 812-888-4279.
Helton speaks to state school board members
January 24, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Vincennes University President Dick Helton was a
presenter at the Leadership Seminar of the Indiana School Boards
Association (ISBA) in Indianapolis on Jan. 20.
ISBA currently has membership from 290 of the 291 Indiana public school
corporations and is the voice of 1,689 school board members in the state.
Helton spoke on the topic, “Building Collaborative Partnerships with Higher
Education.” Helton described VU’s leadership role in collaborating with
high schools and vocational schools throughout the state in the areas of
dual credit/concurrent enrollment and early college programs.
VU’s dual credit concurrent enrollment program for high schools, Project
EXCEL, served 5,790 students in 2010-11 and generated 33,366 credit hours.
Project EXCEL is currently offered in 137 high schools and career centers
in 71 Indiana counties.
VU currently offers Early College programs in conjunction with high schools
at Ben Davis, Washington Community, Center Grove, Lawrenceburg, and
Evansville/Vanderburgh, with several other school sites under development.
Prior to becoming VU President in 2004, Helton served for 19 years as a
superintendent of schools in Indiana.
VU’s Plainfield Logistics Training and Education Center to be dedicated Jan. 27
January 24, 2012
PLAINFIELD, Ind. - The public is invited to the dedication of the new
Vincennes University Logistics Training and Education Center on Jan. 27,
11:30 a.m., at 853 S. Columbia Road, Suite 151, in Plainfield. The Center
is located near the Interstate 70 and Ronald Reagan Parkway.
Speakers will include Robin Brandgard, president of the Plainfield Town
Council, VU President Dick Helton, and VU Board of Trustees Chair J.R.
Gaylor. Other VU speakers will include Phillip Rath, vice president for
Financial Services and Government Relations; David A. Tucker, vice
president for Workforce Development/Community Services; and James Dolan,
director of the Logistics Training and Education Center.
In April 2011 the Plainfield Town Council approved providing $500,000 in
start-up costs over five years for the Logistics Training and Education
Center in Plainfield to be administered by VU. The announced goal was to
help attract and retain employers, create a highly trained workforce, and
enhance Plainfield’s role as a leading logistics community.
Plainfield is in close proximity to the expanding Indianapolis
International Airport, major roadways, and more than 25 million square feet
of distribution and light manufacturing space.
VU worked with industry professionals and Conexus Indiana to identify skill
gaps of workers in the logistics industry and designed a skills-based
training program to close these skill gaps industry-wide. This
collaboration is an asset to the programs offered at the new Center in
Plainfield, especially in the area of stackable training certificates which
lead to a college degree.
The Center will bring to one location VU’s full range of logistics training
and educational opportunities. It will provide basic training for
entry-level positions, including order picking training, fork-lift
certification, and truck driver training. Also, training will be available
to those already in the logistics industry to hone specific skills, such as
short-term courses in material handling, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma.
In addition, VU will offer hands-on training in connection with its
associate degree program in Supply Chain Logistics Management at the Center
beginning in the fall semester 2012. The associate degree will be awarded
through VU's Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, and it may be
completed through both traditional semester-based catalog courses and
stackable training certificates.
The Center will provide a blended learning environment, combining
state-of-the-art classroom technology with hands-on logistics lab space
that simulates today’s high-tech warehouses, distribution centers, and
equipment utilized on the job at area employers.
More information about Vincennes University Logistics programs can be found
at www.vinu.edu/logistics.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional
sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport. VU also offers
instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU
also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security,
nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and
special education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 26 other states, and 37
foreign countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses
with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in
the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the
United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded
VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is
available at www.vinu.edu.
