<p>Umm...this is probably not new to all of you, but I am new here. College of Santa Fe is planning to open a sober dorm for kids in recovery, or those who want to get to it. One can contact Tammy Gocial, Dean of Students, to inquire: <a href="mailto:tgocial@csf.edu">tgocial@csf.edu</a>. We have a new Alcohol and Drug Council with a very active memeber of the recovery community involved-that would be me. Hey-do me a favor-don't tell Tammy I told you to contact her-a little bird told you. The implementation of this dorm depends a great deal on interest.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any idea how to get word out on this subject to people who might be interested?</p>
<p>Tina, This is a terrific place to get the information out. Do a search on the internet for "recovery in college" (may have to play with the term.) Somewhere I remember seeing a list of schools that support recovering students.</p>
<p>Now that we have you hear, can you tell us a bit about the College of Santa Fe? I know there are several parents and students who have looked at CSF and wondered what it was like.</p>
<p>This is a great idea. My son is not in recovery, but does not drink and hates the drinking environment. But here is my question, aren't dorms supposed to be alcohol free? My son's room mate brought alcohol into their room, which is strictly forbidden, and the college did nothing. all they said was "kids make mistakes". well this was an older student, no kid. I wish all schools had specific dorms for kids who don't want anything to do with drugs, alcohol or smoking.</p>
<p>Many schools have "substance-free" dorms. No alcohol or drug on premises. </p>
<p>Many of the kids who choose them are non-drinkers, but others are moderate drinkers who just want a quiet, peaceful environment to come home to rather than Animal House.</p>
<p>A Recovery dorm would be sub free but full of former users. I think there is a great need for this sort of thing (my niece is in recovery) but there are issues because of recidivism and the fact that a bunch of kids with this background are thrown together in a stressful time, new situation, etc.</p>
<p>Recovery dorms probably need on site counseling, meetings, etc-- no? Tina, I'd like to know what services are provided for the kids.</p>
<p>amith1 - at some schools, we were told that substance free dorm refers to a pledge by all choosing it not to use substances at all, on-campus or off. Thus, kids could expect support for their pov and no fear of coming home to post-binge bathroom madness, etc.</p>
<p>Also, at some (many?) schools, alcohol is permitted in rooms where ALL residents (eg, both roommates/all 4 suitemates) are over 21.</p>
<p>I believe the substance-free dorm option was available at every school we toured. Could be wrong about "every",but certainly many.</p>
<p>These, of course, are the stated rules. Enforcement is another ballgame.</p>
<p>my daughter was in a subfree dorm for 3 years @ Reed.
First year she was trying to decide between two theme dorms ( you have better shot of housing if pick a theme), Deciding between "quiet" and "subfree", she chose subfree.
She wasn't afraid of wild parties, but needed quiet to study and thought the subfree dorm would be quieter than the quiet dorm ( I think she was right).
She also is sensitive to smoke and was concerned about her genetic predisposition to addiction. She was given a single, which made it perfect for studying. Other students in the dorm were in recovery, or had , had been exposed to drinking and substance abuse to such an extent while growing up that they wanted to minimize exposure to it if they could,or they just thought that subfree would be more fun, cause parties wouldn't necessarily revolve around substances.
No one can have substances in the subfree dorm, even moms who bought wine to make clam speghetti with. ( I had to move to the Chinese house)
Both of her top two schools have subfree dorms, housing was something that we really looked at when picking schools. I didn't want to be paying thousands of dollars for tuition and then not know if she would have a place to stay until after school started as in some large universities.
I agree that students who are recently in recovery probably need more support than other students. But make your wishes known, and get faculty support just like when you were in high school and wanted to start a club.</p>
<p>College of Santa Fe is a very arty school with solid grounding in liberal arts. We have a women's AA meeting on campus, and a mixed AA meeting on Tuesday evenings. We have good on-campus support for these activities. The admin has instituted a Drug & Alcohol Council, which I am on. I've got 30 years in AA, 29 in Alanon. I'm committed.</p>
<p>I'm a student at the school, and I will be faculty in fall, 2005. My husband is faculty, with twelve years in AA. I am a very vocal activist for change at the school. I absolutely love the place. It's quirky and cool-less attractive to preppy types. On the other hand, the school is building a nice "imported" tennis team because we have an amazing tennis center. </p>
<p>We have an alcoholism counselor who is a savvy, long-time sober guy, a counselor who is well-informed. The school is two blocks from the Friendship Club, where there are meetings all day and night, including Young Peoples' Meetings. The women's recovery community in Santa Fe is very tight. We look after all the young 'un who come to the meetings.</p>
<p>That's the skinny on the recovery scene-I'm going to recheck the boards to see what other questions have come up.</p>
<p>Does the college offer rolling admissions? I am in recovery at an after care program and looking for a college to attend in the fall. I am applying to Augsburg but would love an other option as I am not sure I will like Minnesota.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the College of Santa Fe is closing at the end of this summer due to bankruptcy. On their site, they say they are trying to find a buyer, but it may be years before they reopen with a full curriculum.</p>
<p>Minnesota has such friendly people–a good down jacket might make even make it comfortable!</p>