When I asked about campus substance free housing I quickly learned my mistake in asking the question. The response from almost everyone I spoke with was "Of course we have substance free housing. All alcohol and drugs are prohibited in student housing". When I explained what I was really asking with regards to substance free housing, I got a much different answer. In the past 15 or so years, some colleges started to understand that something had to change in campus housing. In 2010, approximately 20 colleges offered a type of substance free housing. Now there are over 150 colleges that off the students this alternative. Students should be allowed to live in housing, if they chose to, which is free from pot odors, vomit in the bathrooms, or just free from the intoxicated behavior exhibited by fellow students partying on weekends and often throughout the week. Some students either do not want to live in an environment where they are one of the few that don't want to participate in that behavior or they are in that at-risk group that does not need to be in that type environment. The substance free housing includes several different types of housing depending upon what environment the colleges that have substance free housing believe best meets the needs of their students.

University of Florida: The University has not considered substance free housing.
University of Alaska Anchorage: Yes
University of Maine: Has had substance free housing in the past but demand has diminished and housing is not available this year. The University is considering housing on a smaller scale for the 2017- 2018 school year.
University of Iowa: The University is presently considering recovery housing.

In lieu of filling out my questionnaire, some of the schools responded with a letter explaining why they would not answer my questions. Some responses included:

South Dakota State University: Referred me to their website and stated that if the information was not on their website, the information "is not a record or document maintained or filed by South Dakota State University". (Note: Don't really understand what I was being told).
University of Wisconsin- Madison: Referenced the schools participation in "several nationally benchmarked surveys" and declined to answer my questions. Their letter closed saying if I had additional questions I should contact the school. (Note: Declined to answer any of my questions and closed by saying I should contact them with any additional questions).
University of Tennessee: Referred to the school's various websites include the University Police Department, Center for Health Education and Wellness, and Community Standards. They stated that "several important details were left out of your cover letter regarding the manner in which you intend to publish the data you are collecting. For this reason, we have elected not to participate in your survey".

I know the 50 schools I contacted have programs in place to address drug and alcohol concerns. I read about these programs on the schools websites. Some schools have told me that other schools have major drug and alcohol problems but not their school.

Instant Insights /

What colleges tell parents about how they address drug and alcohol issues on their campuses

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