Substance-Free Housing

For Fall 2012-Spring 2013, VCU Residential Life & Housing will include substance-free housing options for VCU first-year students who are willing to make a commitment to maintain a living environment free from tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Substance-fee housing will be available in the Gladding Residence Center Phase III (GRC3) for male and female first-year students, and one floor in Rhoads Hall will be available for female students only. These communities offer an additional measure of support for people who are committed to this lifestyle. Research and experience has shown these are lively, active communities where residents demonstrate a high level of respect for themselves and one another.

Students living in substance-free communities do not have to agree to entirely abstain from the use of alcohol or tobacco, but they are not permitted to possess or use alcohol, tobacco, smokeless tobacco or other illegal substances within their room or suite or on the floor. Students in substance-free housing further agree that, should they consume alcohol while away from their residence, they will not return to their room while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. To honor the rights of those who have selected this residence hall environment, these expectations also apply to guests visiting these floors. 

There are many reasons that an individual may choose a substance-free room in a residence hall. These reasons may include personal lifestyle preferences, religious beliefs, parental influence or issues related to recovery from a personal or family substance abuse problem. Regardless of the resident’s reason, substance-free is a choice that VCU Residential Life and Housing supports and encourages as a way to help students living in the residence halls succeed academically and socially.

The power of this program is that everyone on this floor voluntarily chooses to live a substance-free lifestyle. If an individual does not maintain his or her commitment to the substance-free community, they may be asked to move to a different VCU residence hall.

 

Substance-Free Living Agreement Form