FARGO (AP) - A North Dakota State University committee is considering smoking restrictions on school property.

The committee plans to make a recommendation to President Joseph Chapman by the end of the semester.

One option being considered would restrict smoking on campus to parking lots or more than 50 feet away from buildings. The other option would ban smoking on vehicles parked in campus lots, outdoor areas and other NDSU property.

Minot State University and Bismarck State College already ban smoking on campus.

University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella is pushing for a campus-wide ban, which has been endorsed by UND's student government.

The NDSU committee, which is made up of staff members and students, smokers and nonsmokers, recommends a new policy take effect July 1, 2008, to allow time for education and for people to quit smoking.

"We're not infringing on people's rights; we're protecting our community," said Janine Trowbridge, the chairwoman of the committee. It has been studying the issue for two years.

Trowbridge, working on her eighth attempt to quit smoking, said a smoke-free policy would help motivate her to quit.

Some worry that a campus-wide smoking ban could mean more people crossing the street to other areas and leaving cigarette butts behind, Trowbridge said.

Senior Luke Schraw, a student government representative on the committee, said enforcing a campus-wide ban likely would be easier than enforcing a policy that restricts smoking to parking lots.