In an attempt to draw people away from smoking directly in front of the Residence Apartments, a "smoking" bench and two ashtrays were installed by Housing and Residential Services over spring break, across the road from the front entrance of the building.
But many students still choose to smoke in front of the apartments because the bench can't accommodate more than three people at a time.
Due to the 1994 law passed by the state of California that bans smoking in all state buildings, smokers have been forced to take their cigarettes outside.
With the increase of smokers who loiter in front of the building came one problem -- their smoke entered the windows of nonsmoking residents on the lower floors in the building.
Psychology major Julie Solis, who lives on the second floor of the apartments, has made numerous complaints to Housing, and was glad to see the bench installed.
Solis' roommate Debbie Borawski, who is also a psychology major, thought the bench was a positive step. However, she thought more could be done to keep smokers away from their window. "We were hoping that they would put more of them (benches) out there. One isn't enough."
Katelyn Moran, an international relations major, also lobbied for the installation of the bench. Her main concern was not the smoke entering the windows, but the need for a place to sit in front of the apartments. "I just thought it would be a good idea. I just wanted a place to sit outside in the sun."
Moran, who smokes, began asking for some type of bench to be installed last fall. She was glad to see action had been taken on her request.
Last fall, all apartment residents were sent notices urging them to smoke either by the picnic tables in front of the City Eats Dining Center or behind the Guest Center. Few people complied with the request.
Many smokers still opt to sit in front of the building instead of sitting on the bench.
Psychology major Eric Droste, a smoker who prefers to sit in front of the building, doesn't believe the smoke is a problem. "(The bench) seems too far away from everything and it is too secluded. They (smokers) don't care if the smoke goes into the apartments or not."
Shane Karlin, a nonsmoker, also noticed that the bench hasn't really drawn smokers away from the building. "From what I have seen, there are still people who hang out right in front of the building," he said.
Marketing major Danny Gumacal believes that more could have been done for students who have to sit in front of the apartments. Pointing out San Francisco's inclement weather, he said, "I think they could have done a couple more things like put up a roof for when it rains, possibly a bus stop type of place."
Gumacal, a nonsmoker, feels that it was a good use of funds for the school, but says that "people need something to cover their heads."
Leanne Medved, a speech therapy major, believes that it would be better if smokers went across the road to the bench to enjoy their cigarettes, but admits that, "We are too used to our own habits." She also added that she is willing to go across the road to smoke.