September, 1997
The Historical Timeline of OTC’s Tobacco-Free Policy
Administration began discussion of making OTC a tobacco-free campus.
November, 1999
President recommended that the Board of Trustees approve Tobacco-Free policy.
December 13, 1999
Board of Trustees adopted Tobacco-Free Policy to be effective August 1, 2003.
June, 2001
President appointed a steering committee to plan and promote “Tobacco-Free in ’03” Campaign.
October, 2002
President formed a campus committee created to develop a plan for implementation.
April, 2003
External Tobacco-Free Advisory Committee was formed.
April, 2003
Health fair focusing on addictive behaviors including tobacco use was held.
April, 2003
The annual spring picnic featured a tobacco-free booth where 250 tobacco-free frisbees were distributed and students were surveyed regarding their tobacco usage and opinions about the upcoming policy.
June, 2003
Tobacco-free signage was displayed across campus.
July, 2003
A tobacco-free resource room was created and opened to the OTC community.
August 1, 2003
Tobacco-free policy went into effect, emphasizing education about the policy instead of punitive action.
October 18, 2004
OTC entered the second phase of enforcement. All offenders are required to meet with the Director of Safety and Security and either pay a $15 fine or perform 2 hours of labor.
August 1, 2008
OTC celebrates 5 years as a tobacco-free campus.