Gazeb(r)os

Before smoking was restricted to the gazebos, students, faculty and staff were able to smoke pretty much anywhere on campus.
Before smoking was restricted to the gazebos, students, faculty and staff were able to smoke pretty much anywhere on campus.
The issue of smoking inside campus buildings was a hot topic in the 1990s and early 2000s for the Faculty Assembly, Student Senate and administration.
The issue of smoking inside campus buildings was a hot topic in the 1990s and early 2000s for the Faculty Assembly, Student Senate and administration.
Pictured here are customized stones placed outside of one of the gazebos to uplift gazebros and passers-by with the positive phrases.
Pictured here are customized stones placed outside of one of the gazebos to uplift gazebros and passers-by with the positive phrases.

When most people think of different aspects of a campus community, they probably think of the clubs, sports, dorms, classes, faculty or students鈥ut do they think of gazebos? In 2009, Stockton strategically installed gazebos on campus for the sole purpose of removing smokers from inside campus buildings. Years ago, people were allowed to smoke in the classrooms, dining halls, dorms, and offices. Now, not only is smoking not allowed in the classrooms, it is not permitted anywhere outside of the designated smoking gazebos on campus grounds. Every day, smokers (and non-smokers) also use the gazebos as places to meet up with their friends, some even have standing appointments鈥搒ame place, same time. In this sense, the gazebos act like a friendship crockpot, steeping tight-knit companionships and positive vibes.

The gazebo dwellers decided their connectedness deserved a moniker, something that could only describe people who met and spent time in these special locations. It is hard to pinpoint exactly when the nicknames for gazebo dwellers were created. In the 2010s, it seems gazebo citizenry referred to themselves as 鈥済azebians.鈥 By the 2020s, 鈥済azebros鈥 became the moniker. Through a series of interviews for the Stockton 50th Anniversary Project, it is evident the smoking gazebos have done much more than intended. Gazebros/gazebians describe the creation of lifelong friendships, a lunch break with coworkers, or just a pocket of peace during a long day of studying.

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