(U-WIRE) HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – As Marshall University’s new smoking policy rears its head into the second semester, proposals to accommodate smokers and make up for $52,000 of lost tobacco revenue are underway.

The smoking policy, which was implemented in August, prohibits smoking within 25 feet of all building entrances and inside all residential halls. It also ceased the sale of tobacco products in the Student Center.

Joe Robinson, president of the Residence Hall Association, said he is discussing options with housing officials.

These options include huts and other sitting areas, which would be placed at the designated 25 feet from a residence hall entrance.

“Anything from a park bench to a double decker gazebo with heating,” Robinson said.

Ed Jones, director of University Housing, said these huts could range from $1,000 to $5,000 each.

Robinson said in places like the Brush Towers there should be no problem finding a place to put them, but Thompson Point is another story.

“In Thompson Point, it’s kind of hard to find a place that’s 20 feet from the building without ending up in the lake or in the middle of the road,” Robinson said.

The smoking policy has not only affected the students, but also the Student Center.

Since the smoking policy was implemented, the Student Center has stopped selling tobacco products, which has resulted in a $52,000 loss in revenue.

Although the Student Center has brought in two new revenue sources, these resources will not make up the lost revenue, said Susan Coriasco, Director of the Student Center.

“They’re minimal. One is a fast fax service and one is ice cream, which we are not even doing right now,” Coriasco.

In spite of the losses, Coriasco said new ideas have been brought to her attention.

Some of these ideas include a DVD rental service and a drop off dry cleaning service.

Although Coriasco said these services would be nice, she said they still wouldn’t generate enough revenue to make up for the amount lost by not selling tobacco products.

“We are just hoping to pick up the difference,” Coriasco said.

– Matthew Mcconkey