Faculty members and coaches at Millersville University may be able to smoke on campus again, according to a recent ruling by a state labor panel.

The panel ruled last week that the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education can't bar faculty members and coaches from smoking outdoors on campus unless their union agrees to the restriction.

The smoking ban was implemented in September.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, the union that represents 5,800 faculty members and coaches who teach at the 14 state-owned universities, filed an unfair labor practice complaint challenging the policy on the grounds that any change is subject to collective bargaining.

The labor panel ruled in APSCUF's favor.

Roger Bruszewski, MU's vice president for finance and administration, said he believes a reasonable compromise will be reached between the system and the union.

Bruszewski said less than 20 percent of MU's faculty are smokers. He said most of those who do smoke respect the ban.

APSCUF did not immediately return calls for comment on the ruling.

The smoking ban had stoked the ire of students and faculty throughout the state's schools — so much that PASSHE agreed to allow smoking in cars with windows rolled up and on sidewalks along public roads that pass through the campus.

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com