2008 Woodie Awards
State Senator: Hire professors who don't smoke
George asks WSU, U-M, MSU to change practices
By: Laura Brian
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
John Palen said a state senator's proposal for three Michigan universities to lower health care costs by hiring non-smokers is rash.
The journalism professor said universities should hire people who are qualified to teach and do research. Smoking does not relate to that, he said.
"If we say we won't hire smokers, are we going to say that you can't drink?" Palen said. "Maybe we should look into refusing to admit students who smoke."
At a state Senate Finance Committee meeting last week, Sen. Thomas George, R-Kalamazoo, challenged the presidents of Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University to hire professors who do not smoke.
George used a local community college as an example.
"Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in my district, has adopted this policy not to hire smokers to reduce health care costs," he said. "They have been able to put more money into education."
Palen said there is no data that shows health care costs are higher among professors who smoke.
Although the presidents of the universities presented a chart at the meeting showing a 10 percent funding cut, George said the state budget is a lot bigger now than it was 10 years ago.
"If the state budget is bigger and they're getting less money, who is getting the increase?" he said.
The answer, George said, is the increase of health care costs by 50 percent over the same amount of time.
"If the universities want more money, they have to find ways to save on health care costs," he said.
Gladstone senior John Bellefeuille said if you refuse to have smokers teach, it can lead to refusing gay people to teach.
"I don't believe in discriminating against people," he said. "Where does it stop?"
George said he advocates discrimination on behavior, but not on a condition a person cannot change, such as obesity.
"It's important to know it's illegal to discriminate on conditions," he said. "A person shouldn't be punished for their family history conditions."
Assistant Biology Professor Steve Gorsich said if the university wanted to improve health care among the faculty, then it should give employees memberships to the Student Activity Center.
"There are other ways to promote healthy behavior," he said.
George said some businesses give points to their employees when they exercise, rewarding them with an extra vacation day when enough points are accumulated.
"The goal is to be healthier and to fund higher education," he said.
George said if the universities could improve the health of their campuses, then they could save "tens of thousands of dollars."
After suggesting possible solutions, George said he asked the three universities what they will do to improve the health on their campuses and save money.
"They didn't have a good answer," he said. "If they're so smart, why can't they change their behavior?"
news@cm-life.com
The journalism professor said universities should hire people who are qualified to teach and do research. Smoking does not relate to that, he said.
"If we say we won't hire smokers, are we going to say that you can't drink?" Palen said. "Maybe we should look into refusing to admit students who smoke."
At a state Senate Finance Committee meeting last week, Sen. Thomas George, R-Kalamazoo, challenged the presidents of Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University to hire professors who do not smoke.
George used a local community college as an example.
"Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in my district, has adopted this policy not to hire smokers to reduce health care costs," he said. "They have been able to put more money into education."
Palen said there is no data that shows health care costs are higher among professors who smoke.
Although the presidents of the universities presented a chart at the meeting showing a 10 percent funding cut, George said the state budget is a lot bigger now than it was 10 years ago.
"If the state budget is bigger and they're getting less money, who is getting the increase?" he said.
The answer, George said, is the increase of health care costs by 50 percent over the same amount of time.
"If the universities want more money, they have to find ways to save on health care costs," he said.
Gladstone senior John Bellefeuille said if you refuse to have smokers teach, it can lead to refusing gay people to teach.
"I don't believe in discriminating against people," he said. "Where does it stop?"
George said he advocates discrimination on behavior, but not on a condition a person cannot change, such as obesity.
"It's important to know it's illegal to discriminate on conditions," he said. "A person shouldn't be punished for their family history conditions."
Assistant Biology Professor Steve Gorsich said if the university wanted to improve health care among the faculty, then it should give employees memberships to the Student Activity Center.
"There are other ways to promote healthy behavior," he said.
George said some businesses give points to their employees when they exercise, rewarding them with an extra vacation day when enough points are accumulated.
"The goal is to be healthier and to fund higher education," he said.
George said if the universities could improve the health of their campuses, then they could save "tens of thousands of dollars."
After suggesting possible solutions, George said he asked the three universities what they will do to improve the health on their campuses and save money.
"They didn't have a good answer," he said. "If they're so smart, why can't they change their behavior?"
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 14
Eric
posted 2/25/08 @ 8:19 AM EST
This is why so many are frustrated with the current batch of Republicans. They have forgotten the core principal of LESS restriction on choice, LESS regulation, LESS government interference. (Continued…)
Craig Crosswait
posted 2/25/08 @ 8:30 AM EST
Wow what a great idea! We save money by hiring non-smokers and possibly getting rid of smokers but then we have to spend the money we save on the many lawsuits that will follow. (Continued…)
Mike Bilson
posted 2/25/08 @ 8:51 AM EST
I don't have a problem with not allowing homosexuals, i.e. sexual deviants, from teaching on campus. And I don't have a problem with stopping smokers either . (Continued…)
Rick Lundgren
posted 2/25/08 @ 12:33 PM EST
I don't understand why smoking is still legal anyway. There's no benefit to doing it? Really, IMO, the only reason why people are still allowed to smoke, is because of the tax money the government gets from it. (Continued…)
M. R. Wernette, `72
posted 2/25/08 @ 2:09 PM EST
As a non-smoker, I find the senator's proposal both stupid and another example we have allowed ourselves to be "dumbed-down" over the past 20 or so years! I hope this senator checks his physicians before going in for a physical, medical check-up, or medical procedure to make sure he only has "non-smokers" attending him! That statement makes about as much sense!!
matt
posted 2/25/08 @ 2:59 PM EST
While were at it, we should not hire professors who drink alcohol. I can't tell you how often I have seen one enjoying a cocktail at a local tavern. Come on people, the issue is not reducing health care costs. (Continued…)
Logic
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:33 PM EST
"homosexuals, i.e. sexual deviants"
First off that makes no sense what so ever, and secondly grow up.
Journalist
posted 2/25/08 @ 5:54 PM EST
This headline is incorrect, grammatically. Only the "state" in "State Senator" should be capitalized.
Nick Smith
posted 2/25/08 @ 7:48 PM EST
I don't even smoke, but all I can say is is that this anti-smoking crusade or whatnot is truly getting way out of hand. Good God get a life. These anti-smoking people to me are quickly becoming as annoying as anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage groups to me. (Continued…)
Taylor
posted 2/26/08 @ 8:40 AM EST
I think we shouldnt hire those that dont drink... wait that would piss off to many people?!
But what a great idea, hire only those who are healthy, and then when it comes to paying out the retirement plans you are paying for a longer time! Actually the UK put out some research showing that those who drink or smoke die young (obviously), but even with the health expenses consumed, they cost the tax payers less than those you live healthy lives and live longer. (Continued…)
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