The real deal with sub-free

Contrary to what you might think, not everyone who picks substance-free housing is a teetotaler. In fact, the reasons students choose substance-free housing are exceptionally varied, from insistent parents to a desire for a large room. All, however, are unified in their agreement to abide by the substance-free housing contract, which states: "No alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco products or incense may be in a room designated as substance-free. Residents of the substance-free area who are of legal age may drink alcoholic beverages or use legal tobacco products elsewhere on campus as long as the effects of the substances do not disturb the other residents of this housing area." The contract extends to include guests of substance-free residents; they, too, are expected to behave in accordance with sub-free rules. So what is life really like in substance-free housing?

For one thing, it's pretty popular. In 2005, at least 75 freshmen in Butler College alone requested sub-free rooms, according to the college office. And most seem to be satisfied with the experience. "The benefits are that you get a generally quiet hall with people who prefer that type of environment, even if some of them use substances elsewhere," Tamara Spitzer-Hobeika '10 said. "I don't think there are really any detriments, unless you absolutely want to keep bottles of alcohol in your room, which I don't do."

The quiet environment is one reason that the program has taken off since Rocky first launched a pilot sub-free program in 2002. Though certain sections of upperclass housing are sub-free, the majority of the interest in substance-free housing comes from freshmen and sophomores. Sub-free resident Mark Cerqueira '10 pointed out that it's a nice option for freshmen who are nervous about being thrust into college life and would like to minimize potential distractions in an environment that is more conducive to studying efficiently and sleeping well.

Substance-free housing residents emphasize that just because you can't drink or use substances in your room doesn't mean you can't at all. Rachel Blum '10 admits that she has come back to her room after a night out of drinking, and so far it hasn't seemed to bother her roommates. Or take it from Sam Chen '10, who admitted honestly to his main reason for choosing sub-free housing: "I wanted to party without having to clean up."

At the same time, it is certainly true that many people in sub-free housing choose to abstain from controlled substances altogether. For instance, Jing Lin '10 enjoyed living in sub–free Dodge Osborn so much last year that she decided to draw into a room there this year as well. Her 10-person suite in Dodge Osborn is nicknamed "The Zoo," but the room hardly lives up to the raucous connotations of its name. Lin maintains that it's cleaner and quieter than a non-substance free living space. Moreover, she says, "you don't smell alcohol or see drunk people staggering in and out of rooms."

Still, some students acknowledge that the rules aren't always strictly followed. According to the housing contract, students who violate sub-free rules will be subject to a warning on the first violation and removed from the substance-free zone on second offense. Egregious violations may also warrant disciplinary action. Perhaps because of the threat of punishment, for the most part when people drink in sub-free housing they are discreet about it; intervention by Public Safety or University administration is rare.

When asked if she would live in substance-free housing again next year, Yolisa Nalule '10 summed up her feelings bluntly: "If it's quiet and there is less puke in the bathroom stalls [than there would be in non sub-free housing], then definitely." For many, substance-free housing provides the best of both worlds at Princeton: the freedom to party outside of your room — with alcohol or without — but the security of knowing when it's midterms week, the hallways will always be quiet, even at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning.