Although more than 250 freshmen were assigned to substance free dorms this year, not all of these residents requested to live in them.
“That’s not fair. If I didn’t ask for it, it’s not my responsibility [to comply with the contract],” said a freshmen living in a substance free dorm who desired to remain anonymous.
All students living on a substance free floor are required to sign a contract which states that they will not possess any alcoholic beverages, tobacco or drugs in their dorms.
The contract also restricts students from creating any disturbances in substance free dorms while under the influence.
“If you are living there we are asking you to abide by this,” said Cheryl Stephens, Associate Director of Residential Life.
The substance free freshmen floors include all of Beaumont, the second floor of Danforth, the first floor of Dardick and the first floor of Lien.
“These are areas where groups of people live together who all have decided to live in a healthier way,” said Dr. Alan Glass, director of Habif Habitat and Wellness Center. “It is as a responsibility of the University to provide multiple options of living, and certainly healthy living should be one.”
While Stephens hopes that the disgruntled residents will make the best out of their living conditions, she said that after two weeks residential life will try to accommodate students requesting to switch their dorms.
“Our hope is that they will be able to weigh out all the different things [academics and community] and the focus will not be on alcohol or smoking,” said Stephens.
Upperclassmen who were once in the same position as these freshmen said that although they were upset at first, substance free housing actually turned out to be a positive experience.
“Wherever you live is not what defines your experience. What defines your experience are the people that you know and where you go,” said senior Grant Hummer.
Despite this, affected students said they do not think they should have to comply with the contract if they did not request to live in a substance free dorm.
“I’m just going to get in a lot of trouble. I’m not going to let my housing ruin my time in college,” said a resident.