Freshman Hates Encountering Campus Smokers
As a freshman at Virginia Highlands Community College I was expecting fun and excitement. What was I treated to? Well to the greatest extent I am treated daily to the secondhand smoke of fellow students. Yes, daily. I have to walk through a group of no less than two smokers at any given time to enter the LRC (library). To pass the nursing education building I’m almost treated to an entire cast of smokers. There’s even the treat of picnic tables and benches in the central courtyard of the college. Guess what ... smokers galore! You see, I am a nonsmoker, and appreciate my health. Yet to my dismay I have to alter my route daily to try to avoid the filthy smells of burning tobacco. It’s ridiculous. Then after I finally do get away from the smokers, I get to see the side effects of a smoker-friendly campus.
I get to be treated to the wonderful cigarette butts on sidewalks. I get to smell the ashtrays which on occasion are smoking more than some students.
I’m not saying I am against smokers, but when their blatant disrespect for other students is coupled with an administration that does nothing about the problems and turns a blind eye to the potential fire risks of smokers blocking exits and dropping cigarette butts in the mulch, your opinions of them can change. I don’t want to give a completely negative image of Virginia Highlands Community College, but that was the warm welcoming I was treated to. Maybe someday a freshman can enjoy a clean and healthy college, but more than likely it will not be that college.
Bob Ford
Damascus, Va.
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Reader Reactions
Well, Bob. Stop whining.
People smoke, you’re complaining about people smoking outside? What an arrogant twit.
Either deal with it or quit going to school. I honestly don’t care beyond responding to this letter.
Tell you what, why don’t you start mouthing off to that crowd of people smoking OUTSIDE and see what you get.
You may think that you own the air we breath, but you’ll find out otherwise.
I just wonder how often the author of this letter, Bob Ford, purposfully avoids going near busses, semi trucks, and even normal traffic to get away from the smell and the lung dammage they are causing from their emissions.
I can assure you Mr. Ford that the dammage to your health from vehicles far surpassed any dammage to your health from walking past a few smokers outdoors.
You might want to consider never riding in a fossile fuel operated vehicle again! Or at least hold your breath when driving.
Stop whinning.
Oh, and did you happen to consider that the faculty of your school may read this paper? Did you think for even one moment that you could bash them freely, and it wouldn’t matter at all in the future? You may be only in college, but this is the real world. Speaking out against peopel that can affect your future, and you can’t do anything about it, is not a very bright thing to do.
I am not saying that anyone at the school will actually seek retribution. But if they do you won’t be able to do a darn thing about it.
Learning which battles to fight, and which to let go comes with age I guess.
Ben, from your poor grammar, weak spelling, and narrow mind, I believe I have a decent idea about why you struggled in the work world. I’ll tell you what….You keep right on blaming VHCC for your troubles. I bet you’ve been spouting this stuff long enough now to really believe it. You sound foolish. Too many people have done great after leaving VHCC for you to have any credibility.
Thanks for the laugh Ben. That “worthless degree” you speak of has been the beginning of lots of bright careers for many people. Many doctors, lawyers, business owners, state troopers, teachers, etc. have started at VHCC only to end up in some very exciting and worthwhile positions. Usually a lot more than a degree is needed to open doors to good jobs. Exactly what 4 year colleges/universities in Virginia wouldn’t accept your VHCC credits? VHCC cannot create someone’s social skills and attitudes. People are on their own in interviews. VHCC can’t speak for anyone when it comes time for that. Many people around here absolutely refuse to leave this area for work. There are jobs out there. People often have to go to where the jobs are. VHCC cannot make you leave good ole SW Virginia. Earning a degree is one thing, but the holder of that degree must have more. A lot more. Good luck, Ben.
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