Mae and Hotspur rock CAC’s Smoke-Free SU

By Robert Cogdell III

Staff Writer

On Saturday, April 4, clusters of SU students in blue "Smoke Free SU" shirts lined Red Square eagerly anticipating the Mae and Hotspur concert. Hosted by Colleges Against Cancer (CAC), the live performance of the two bands was organized to raise awareness of cancer and other health issues resulting from cigarette smoking.

As the two regional Myspace bands Hotspur and Mae took the platform, students rushed towards the stage and soon began jumping, fist pumping and screaming in excitement.

"I think it’s amazing they’re here on such a small campus compared to larger arenas they could be doing," said freshman Santana Pounce. Even Mr. Butts, the CAC mascot, joined in on the jumping action.

The concert was funded by the Wicomico County Cigarette Restitution Fund, according to CAC co-president Eric Kennedy, who said that "working with the booking agent, they knew we were with a non-profit organization and we were able to get them for much less than normal."

Colleges Against Cancer was founded in 2006, and since then they have continued to "work for cancer education and advocacy," said CAC co-president Lauren Friedman. They have been awarded the Leader of Hope award, which recognized their active chapter and activities on campus.

One of their more recent events was the "I Put Out" carnival in response to Smoke Free Maryland. CAC also hosts Relay for Life, arguably the largest event where student organizations fund the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

In addition to the concert, students were voluntarily invited to sign a Smoke Free Campus petition and in turn received a free red or blue t-shirt. The Smoke Free Campus petition, proposes a "parking lot only designated area for smokers," said CAC member Karen Wittkamper. Although many signatures were collected, not all students agreed on a smoke free campus.

"I feel like an outcast. Parking lots aren’t well enforced safe areas and it’s not the fault of the smokers that the University places smoking areas next to buildings," said junior Eric Disque.

The Salisbury University Smoking Policy designates smoking areas for each campus building and prohibits smoking within 30 feet of entrances, which Kennedy says, "is a gray area."

"I understand why [smokers] are not supportive, but the health risks outweigh the right to smoke," Friedman said.

Students may e-mail CAC@salisbury.edu for more information on the petition.

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