WSU Vancouver is expanding the tobacco-free area mandated by the Washington Clean Indoor Act, which prohibits smoking in public buildings and places of employment, as well as within 25 feet of doors, windows and ventilation intakes. Effective Aug. 1, all campus grounds, and state-owned vehicles and equipment will be tobacco-free zones.

WSU Vancouver has a responsibility to its students and employees to provide a safe and healthful environment. The goal of this policy is to provide a healthy working and learning environment free from the detrimental effects of second-hand smoke.

Beginning Aug. 1 you will notice new “tobacco-free campus” signage on doors, in parking lots and on campus maps. The university will also post the tobacco-free policy, smoking cessation information and responses to frequently questions on its website.

As of January 2013, more 1,130 campuses in the United States had implemented 100 percent smoke- and/or tobacco-free policies, a sharp increase from 420 campuses in 2010. Clark College became the first 100 percent tobacco-free campus in the State of Washington in 2006. WSU Spokane is also a tobacco-free campus.

Visit the Clark County Historical Museum to see “Labor: A Working History” on exhibit through Dec. 31. Discover the significance of Clark County’s work and workers by tracing their development against a backdrop of regional and national labor movement milestones. Learn more about the past, present and future of local labor through words, images and artifacts, plus interactive displays for the young at heart.

The exhibit was mounted with assistance from Laurie Mercier, Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of History; Susan Tissot, Clark County Historical Society executive director and WSU Vancouver history instructor; and many WSU Vancouver history students and alumni.

The Clark County Historical Museum is located at 1511 Main Street in downtown Vancouver. See operating hours and admissions fees online.

As part of the 2013-2015 operating budget, the Office of the State Human Resource Director implemented a new pay step, step M, within the State’s pay range system for Civil Service employees. Step M is a longevity step to be added to the state salary schedules. Eligible employees who have been at the top step (step L) in the same salary range for six years will move to the new step M effective July 1, 2013. It provides an approximate 2.5 percent increase over step L.

Administrators will not need to enter a PERMS action for this step change. HRS has collaborated with Payroll Services and Information Technology Services to ensure appropriate processing of this step change. Employees eligible for step M have been notified by letter.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Step M are available online.

Contact your HR consultant if you have any questions.

If you haven’t ventured to the multipurpose court recently, make it a lunchtime destination. A new surface has been installed featuring a crimson background with a white Cougar head.

The original high-impact, modular plastic surface was ripped out by vandals in the early morning of March 24, 2010. The estimated damage was $25,000. Budget was not immediately available to restore the court.

The new surface was paid for entirely by Services & Activity Fees. The same surfacing product is being used in several parks in Portland and appears to stand up to would-be vandals.

Electrical maintenance to the Library, Multimedia Classroom and Undergraduate buildings will cut power 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. July 27

July 27 – Aug. 12 carpet will be replaced in the Library

Send events for publication in the fall edition of NW Crimson & Gray to Maureen Keller by Aug. 1