U. to expand substance-free housing

With room draw approaching, four residential colleges have decided to expand substance-free housing options in certain dorms to meet increasing demand from underclassmen.

The staff at each college — including masters, assistant masters, deans and administrators — held meetings earlier this year to determine the exact location and number of rooms they would designate substance-free.

Butler College's substance-free living area will move from 1922 Hall to Lourie-Love. "One of the reasons [the Butler staff] chose the larger hall was because at least 75 freshmen indicated that they wanted to live in substance-free rooms last year," Butler College Administrator Betty Stein said, referring to the relatively large capacity of Lourie-Love. Stein anticipates even more students will want to live in a substance-free room this year.

At Forbes College, substance-free housing currently consists of rooms on the first floor of the New Wing; next year, the area will also include the first floor of the Main Inn. Wilson College will offer substance-free rooms in Dodge-Osborn Hall in addition to the current rooms in 1939 Hall. Mathey College will move its substance-free living area from the third and fourth entryways of Joline Hall to the basement and entryways six through nine in Blair Hall.

Rockefeller College is the only college whose substance-free area, situated in Buyers Hall, will remain the same size.

Outside the residential colleges, substance-free housing for upperclassmen will be limited to the fourth entryway of Lockhart Hall.

The substance-free program in the residential colleges, which provides an opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to live in an environment where "students cooperatively support and promote a healthy lifestyle," according to the housing contract, was implemented by four of the residential colleges for the first time last year. Rocky launched a pilot substance-free program three years ago.

"Some students asked for substance-free housing and Rocky volunteered," said Rocky College Administrator Paticia Heslin.

Rising sophomores who wish to draw into substance-free housing are required to sign a contract in their college offices committing to specific guidelines. Residents of substance-free housing are restricted from possessing and consuming alcohol and illicit drugs within their living areas, and are held accountable for their guests' behavior.

While such standards may seem restrictive, many students who opt to live in substance-free areas appreciate them.

"I chose this lifestyle because as an athlete, I wanted to compete and be successful by sleeping decent hours," Caitlin McTague '08 said.

"I can go out and have fun, but my roommates are quiet and respectful, the room's always clean and it's easier to get work done," said McTague, who lives in 1922 Hall and hopes to live in a substance-free room next year.

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However, not every student who was assigned a substance-free room as a freshman is entirely satisfied. Regina Yang '08, who lives in Buyers, does not plan to draw into a substance-free area for her sophomore year.

"Some people in substance-free housing are not as tolerant as those who live elsewhere," Yang said. "There are no rules against drinking outside of substance-free areas, and when people return to their substance-free rooms drunk, their neighbors tend to be judgmental."

Aside from some private dissatisfaction, though, Heslin said that no difficulties have arisen in the past few years in Buyers.

Substance-free contracts are due in the residential college offices on March 1.