<p>S has been admited ED I and has to fill out the housing form. He has a few questions and would like advice from current and recent students. </p>
<p>1) Is there any advantage to a triple (e.g. a suite-type arrangement, better amenities, location, etc...) vs. a double? Or does it just add complexity to the room-mate situation? </p>
<p>2) If you opt for 'substance free' housing, can he assume that also means no smoking? It seems like it should, but 'smoke free' and 'substance free' are listed as two different options and he has to pick his highest priority.</p>
<p>3) What is the situation with 'substance free' housing? We were told that there was more demand than supply at least a few years ago. Has that been resolved? </p>
<p>4) Is Norris still an all freshman dorm? Are there any freshman dorms or freshman floors? There doesn't seem to be an option to choose a freshman dorm on the form.</p>
<p>5) Is there anything else about selecting housing as an incoming freshman that he should be aware of?</p>
<p>Ok, my son is a very happy first year in Norris.</p>
<p>He thinks a double is better than a triple because there are fewer people to adjust to.</p>
<p>Sub-free--he doesn't know about smoking, but says your student needs to learn to "just say no" to this in the room--it's a growth experience.</p>
<p>There is more demand than supply for sub-free. They cluster them together (the requesters who don't get it) and this has worked well. Norris is not an all first year dorm. It has been a very happy dorm for my son. </p>
<p>Be honest on your dorm request forms. My son said he stayed up late, not to party, but to hang out. His roomie is the same and the whole floor seems to be in line.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>I think triples are pretty spacious and your son could end up getting one of the small rooms totally to himself if he has issues with privacy. I was assigned a double and its very small. Even the ceilings are slanted since I'm on the top floor. I feel very claustrophobic and there is no possible way for me to add any more furniture.</p>
<p>All dorms rooms are smoke free and have smoke detectors. Only one dorm, Cleveland, has a lounge where smoking is permitted. Sub free dorms go on to ban alcohol in the dorms as well. They are quite peaceful and the residents are hardly ever assessed clean-up charges or inconvenienced by anything related to student parties. around 25% of incoming freshman ask for sub free dorms and very few get them. I think they are contemplating on making another dorm sub free in the coming years.</p>
<p>If your son knows another incoming freshman well and would like to room with him, you could include that piece of info on your housing form, the housing office would probably match them up.</p>