Students took advantage of a town hall meeting on Wednesday night that gave students the opportunity to ask key University of Memphis administrators questions about their concerns with campus life and policy.
While some questions were answered in detail, others were answered indirectly.
David Zettergren, Vice President of Business and Finance, answered a question regarding a lack of healthy choices in vending machines that also addressed an increase in vending machine food prices in such a manner.
He said that he is open to "entertain other options that (students) think are available."
"I would agree we need many healthy options. We certainly feel like we have that in there," he said.
At least two students raised concerns about how U of M administration plan to enforce a campus tobacco ban that will begin in July. They also asked if the current University policy requiring campus police to monitor no-smoking zones within 20 feet of campus buildings or entrances is being enforced.
One of these questions was directed to U of M President Shirley Raines. She passed the microphone to Zettegren.
"There are no fines …we did not want students to feel like they were harassed," Zettergren said. "We assume people would comply and all it would take would be a reminder."
He said there would be different penalties depending on whether a violator is faculty, staff or student. Students will have to appear before judicial affairs after an initial warning, he said.
Zettergren didn't initially respond to whether the current smoking policy was being enforced, but after being asked again he said it takes a report of someone smoking within 20 feet of a building for action to be made.
According to The U of M's smoking policy posted online, a "Safety Officer also is authorized to monitor and enforce non-smoking rules…"
Zettegren did not address whether campus police do this.
Several questions arose about the effectiveness of equipment in dormitory bathrooms. Peter Groenendyk, director of dining services and residence life, said he has been made aware of a lack of soap and toilet paper in community bathrooms in the Living and Learning Complex.
He didn't say whether anything would be done about it, but that Residence Life is looking into options.
Groenendyk also told attendees that the possibility of eliminating computer labs in dormitories is being considered because many students have laptops.
One student asked why The University turned down a proposal for an on-campus football stadium. Raines said that funding was a big factor.
"We shopped that plan to major donors, many of who said they would not give because we have a stadium two miles away," Raines said. "We have a lot of empty sports venues in Memphis that people are still paying for."
Zettergren spoke on a student's concern about The University paying employees less than the living wage of Memphis that was determined by researchers on campus as $11.62.
"One thing that is not a factor in the equation has to do with the benefits that people are provided that are not actually included in your net pay, but be that as it may, we are very concerned about salaries and the wages on campus," he said. "We've looked at that quite a bit."
