The controversial proposition to ban on-campus smoking finally being greenlit and President Fallo’s retirement were the two big topics in Tuesday’s board of trustees meeting.

According to Board Policy 3570, the ban includes the prohibition of “cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew and any other non-combustible tobacco product.”

There was much debate over e-cigarettes and snus and whether their ban should stay in the policy. Snus, a moist-powdered tobacco product, is “basically another variant of chew,” said Vice President of Human Resources, Linda Beam.

The president of the board, William Beverly, argued that e-cigarettes bare the same danger actual cigarettes do.

“I think it’s overkill political correctness without any data,” Beverly said. Secretary of the board, John Vargas, agreed with Beverly’s concerns.

However, after a 3-2 majority vote, the ban was passed and took effect Wednesday Feb. 18, said executive assistant of President Fallo, Cindy Constantino.

Board members Cliff Numark, Mary E. Combs and Vice President Kenneth A. Brown voted in favor of the policy, while Beverly and Vargas voted against it.

Brown pointed out several data refuting Beverly’s statement, including recent studies that claim e-cigarettes cause nicotine addiction and the alternative is not FDA approved.

“I don’t (want to) have to worry about: Is that a regular cig? An e-cig? … I don’t want to do all that,” Brown said when expressing his personal concerns about the issue.

In accordance with Brown’s concerns, student member Kimberly Garcia pointed out that many other substances can replace the vapor placed inside e-cigarettes, including marijuana.

“Students my age are pretty creative with vapes,” Garcia said. Although her vote does not officially count toward the ballot, Garcia also voted in favor of the ban.

President Thomas M. Fallo’s retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2016, and the process of finding a replacement was also widely discussed in the meeting. It was agreed that a plaque be prepared and presented to Fallo in recognition of his 25 years of service to the EC community.

Before the discussion of finding a capable search committee began, Fallo took a few moments to express his thoughts about leaving.

“I still love this job. It’s time to let somebody else have the joy,” Fallo said. “It’s a wonderful position, and I hope we get great candidates. And I hope you make a great choice.”

Numark suggested that a search consultant firm be found by April 13, while Beam suggested that the board ratification of employment of the new president be completed by Oct. 19.

According to the board meeting’s agenda, Fallo’s first day of retirement is Feb. 1, 2016.

The second read and final version of board policy 3570 and brief information on Fallo’s retirement can be found here on pages AS 10 and HR 2, respectively. The next board of trustees meeting is Monday, March 16.