Spring Break
Residents violate substance-free dorm contract
Issue date: 5/1/08
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Students who intend to live in substance-free housing are required to sign an agreement that they will not bring the effects of alcohol or drugs back to their dorm.
But many current residents claim that AMR I's Vincent House is anything but substance-free.
Shelly Fickau, Director of Residential Life, claimed that students are drawn to the dorm's "close community and respect for health."
Many students, however, say they chose substance-free housing because their parents made them.
"My parents clicked the box and told me I was doing substance-free housing. I would not have made this decision … no, no, no," said one resident, who chose to remain anonymous.
This student admitted that he frequently keeps alcohol in his refrigerator, and that he is aware of at least seven floormates who also use illegal substances.
Eight students directly reported breaking the contract.
Another student said that respect for his family's religious beliefs was the only reason he signed up for substance-free housing in the first place.
"My parents made me check that box. We [residents] are not concerned about breaking our agreement to be substance-free. When I did acid and shrooms, it was on this floor," he said.
A third student simply laughed when he was asked whether or not the dorm was really substance-free.
"Hmmm ... LSD, alcohol, Ritalin ... And that's all I've done on this floor. I've done it in my room while my roommate was sleeping. Hell, even like a couple of hours ago, when he was playing his games on the computer," he said.
He added that though he frequently uses drugs on the floor, he was unsure whether or not his floormates cared that he was breaking the rules.
"They probably have [noticed]. Most of the time, I'm too gone to really care if they notice," he said.
Another popular reason to sign up for substance-free housing is the allure of a quieter, more peaceful environment, according to several current residents.
"I signed up for it because I figured the people here wouldn't party as much, so it would be quieter," resident Connie Tan said.
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