UNE recognized by Maine Tobacco-Free College Network

The University of New England was recognized on November 15, 2012, by the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network for meeting eight of the ten Gold Star policy standards for their efforts to reduce tobacco use on campus.

All Maine institutions of higher education, including colleges, universities, and technical schools were invited to participate in the Gold Star Standards of Excellence program.   Award levels are based on best practice criteria such as tobacco-free campus policy, tobacco treatment information availability for students, faculty and staff, prohibiting tobacco product distribution on campus, and divestment of all tobacco investments.

Nine Maine schools and two campus champions were recognized for their achievements in advancing their campus tobacco-free policies and promoting tobacco-free lifestyles for their communities.

"Colleges and universities seek to create a healthy and safe environment to learn, live and work.  Addressing tobacco use on campus is an example of this commitment and benefits students, faculty, staff and visitors.  We are pleased to be able to recognize the achievements of these schools through the Gold Star Standards of Excellence program," said Sarah Mayberry of the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network.

The awards ceremony provided an opportunity for each school to share successes and challenges of their efforts to create a tobacco-free campus environment and promote tobacco-free lifestyles.  While many acknowledged challenges faced when first adopting new campus policies and initiatives, all shared that addressing tobacco use on campus is an important health and environmental strategy for their schools.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.