Smokers are commonly seen on campus under the flagpole in the quad, a spot situated well over 100 feet from any university building, the boundary for smoking on campus.

A growing movement to designate a new smoking area has gained momentum over the years, as accusations of inappropriate behavior by the flagpole have come to light.

“It just makes me uncomfortable,” one smoker, who requested to remain anonymous, said. “Like, always standing there, with no regard for others’ well-being, like, can I breathe?”

Faculty member Amelia Smith was a pole frequenter, but has stopped smoking on campus after an unpleasant interaction she had with the cylindrical metal structure.

“I was on my way to class when suddenly it started waving, like, telling me to come over,” she said. “It was visibly half-mast too. Just disgusting and totally inappropriate.”

The pole did not respond to the Onyen’s questioning, but rather stood in triumphant silence.

Sophomore Brad Presley isn’t a smoker, but agreed with the negative sentiment. 

“It’s clearly desperate for attention, just always on display like that,” he said. “We get it, you’re a patriot.”

Others were confused by the phenomenon entirely, like C.G. Rette, French exchange student.

“Ah yes, that thing is weird, everyone ‘uddled under it,” he said, taking a drag a few yards away from the children’s hospital. “I assumed it was some sort of American ‘umiliation ritual for those of you who are sophisticate, or, how you say, masochist.”

Questions still remain about whether a new smoking area will be adopted, and if the pole will be allowed to remain on campus. 

“We take all concerns about misconduct very seriously,” a University spokesperson said. “However, given the inanimate nature of the flagpole, no further action will be taken at this time.”