The Wood Center has temporarily ceased the sale of tobacco, but it is not due to a decision by Chancellor Steve Jones.

Over the summer, a student employee sold a pack of cigarettes to an underage person without asking for an ID. The employee was dismissed and both the employee and the Wood Center were fined $300. This is the first time the Wood Center has been caught selling tobacco to a minor. As part of the penalty, the Wood Center also has to cease cigarette sales from Dec. 5 to Dec. 20 of this year.

Jeri Maxwell, associate director of operations at the Wood Center, said that getting caught selling tobacco to a minor "was a good teaching tool, and keeps everybody on their toes."

"A lot of people get irritated when they get asked for an ID, but this proves it's important," Maxwell said.

Concerning the permanent cessation of tobacco sales, the chancellor has yet to make a decision, but other organizations around campus have a definite stance on the issue. The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently came out with the results of a referendum question on the ballot for this semester's election. There were 180 students who voted "yes" to the question "Should the Wood Center continue to sell tobacco products," and 63 voted "no."

"This is an overwhelming majority of students from diverse parts of the university who oppose the measure to stop the sale of tobacco products in the Wood Center," wrote ASUAF in a letter to UA President Mark Hamilton, Chancellor Jones, Wood Center Staff, Dean Barnett, Staff Council, Faculty Senate and the Sun Star.

The Faculty Senate will vote on a resolution Monday, Dec. 12 that says, "The UAF Faculty Senate realizes the dangers of cigarettes and tobacco products; and whereas, UAF students are adults who can make informed decisions; now therefore it be resolved that that the UAF Faculty Senate recommends that the students decide what products are or are not offered in the Wood Center."