Marcus, don't attempt to disqualify any of my opinions because of my age by calling me "kid", please and thank-you. I'm fully sensitive to the issue of taxes- having served on the Ptld. School Committee and Finance Subcommittee for one year. In most cases, a faculty or boys and girls restroom could easily be switched to a gender neutral one- it's as simple as that. If a school isn't able to convert an existing bathroom to a gender neutral one, then it's something that should be planned for and funded in the budget over a 5-or-so year period.

Secondly, you're wrong, they are rights. The Maine Human Rights Act was amended in 2005 to include "sexual orientation" as a protected class. Such an inclusion means that regardless of sexual orientation, students must have equal access to facilities and be ensured the same personal security as all other students. If these rights, including to equal access, are not being afforded, then it goes against Maine law. Clear and simple.

I would have to argue that UMaine's decision was not nearly as frivolous as you depict it. Although I agree that alcohol poses a much more serious problem, the decision by UMaine to move to a smoke-free campus by 2012 will lead to increased education and awareness of the dangers of tobacco. It will lead to decreased potential for second-hand smoke and a cleaner campus. Just because alcohol is a problem, we shouldn't ignore- or attempt to remedy- other problems. As for so-called "omniscient fairies carrying little fire extinguishers," I think it will be as simple as campus police (who are already present and funded) handing out fines to students they see smoking- easy, cost-effective, and healthy.