Lots of Substance

But no drugs or drinking with these Longsdorff Hall residents

February 17, 2009

Some of the residents of substance-free housing in Longsdorff Hall, from left, Courtney Weatherby '12, Andy Shoemaker '12, Breanna Marr '11, Elizabeth Barr '12, Stuart Flury '12 and Christina Torrent '11.

No thanks.

When it comes to drugs and alcohol, that's the low-key, comfortable-in-their-own-skin approach taken by students who live in Longsdorff Hall, Dickinson's substance-free housing.

Each resident in Longsdorff signs a pledge to "abstain from the use of foreign substances, specifically alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs." Violators may be removed from the residence.

The pledge extends beyond residents. "To honor the rights of those who have selected this residence hall environment, this expectation also applies to guests in Longsdorff Hall," the agreement states.

For the 35 Longsdorff residents, the decision to avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs is more a lifestyle choice than a college-imposed mandate.

"I choose not to drink or smoke and would rather surround myself with people who have the same view," said Christina Torrent '11, a psychology major from Mechanicsburg, Pa. "I don't look down on those who do drink or party, because it is their decision. I have friends who party and they will come over and tell me what they did over the weekend, but they understand that I won't be partying with them anytime soon. I am not concerned with what others do—I just don't want their lifestyle imposing on mine."

'Like a family'

The attraction of substance-free housing includes the side benefit of enabling first-year students to make a smoother transition to college.

"There is so much that you can enjoy without the presence of drugs or alcohol, and I had assumed that the people who wanted to be in substance-free housing would have many of the same interests that I do," said Courtney Weatherby '12, an undeclared major from Hampstead, N.H. "I was very lucky, because I was right. The substance-free community at Longsdorff is very much like a family, where many of us have similar interests or perspectives, but each person also has his or her own niche and personality. I think being in the substance-free dorm and getting this family atmosphere has really helped those of us who are first-years adapt to living at Dickinson, away from home and friends."

Breanna Marr '11, an English major from Morgantown, W.Va., opted for substance-free living conditions after talking with her brother Shelby, who is attending college elsewhere.

"The horror stories my older brother told me about finding drunken students passed out in bathroom dormitories affected my decision, I'm sure," Marr said. "I have no desire to drink, and I didn't want to be trapped in a dorm like my brother was, so substance-free housing was the logical choice for me. I wanted to live in a place where people looked for fun that didn't involve alcohol. I found it. Vodka has nothing on swing dancing."

Feedback from students who live in other housing on campus has been positive, said Longsdorff resident Andrew Shoemaker '12, an undeclared major from Middlefield, Conn.

"When I tell people that I live substance-free, they either just take it in stride or say something along the lines of 'Oh lucky—I wish I was in that dorm," Shoemaker said. "My biggest concern with people who do go out and party is with the decisions they make after leaving [the party]."

Secure with selves

When it comes to sharing their views with or about others, Longsdorff residents neither pontificate nor dictate. They are secure with themselves and their lifestyle decision and enjoy the experience of holding on to more than hazy memories of what happened over a given weekend.

"I worry that the students who attend parties religiously aren't getting all they can out of these years of their lives," Marr said. "How many experiences can you take from your weekends if you spend most of them drunk? Other students don't react negatively when I tell them I live in Longsdorff. They seem more curious than anything. I sometimes get asked why I would want to live 'sub-free,' and once I explain my reasons, they nod, and life continues."

It's a nod to healthy living that extends beyond college years and residence halls.

"I have never received a negative comment about my choice," Weatherby said. "In fact, I've often heard from other students that they envy the fact that I live in a dorm that doesn't have the problems that many associate with alcohol or drugs. Even those who would not personally choose to live in a substance-free environment generally take a positive view, saying that they understand how it must be conducive to studying. Beyond that, there are a handful of students that spend more time at Longsdorff than at their own dorms, because they really enjoy the atmosphere and activities that we do here."

While other students on campus do not use substances, students at Longsdorff enjoy the benefits of living in an interest-based community, notes Mary Triano, director of campus life.

"I'm happy to see that students who share a strong common interest and commitment to personal wellness have found a community in which these goals have an opportunity to be fostered and developed in ways that promote investment for life, not just during college years," Triano said.