What exactly are we not supposed to do in our dorm rooms? According to the Connecticut College student handbook, which every student is supposed to read, the use of drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited. While these rules are explicitly outlined, it is questionable how closely they are followed. This begs the question as to whether the rules should be strictly enforced, or whether a little leniency may be necessary for a happy and “healthy” campus.
According to the handbook, “the College’s alcohol and drug policies are informed by federal, state, and local laws.” This statement implies that marijuana and other drugs are illegal, and you must be 21 or over to consume an alcoholic beverage. The handbook reaffirms that these rules are in place to “care for the larger community while supporting the educational mission of Conn.”
The main reason that these rules are in place is not because of the illegality of substance use but to keep students safe. Our floor governors, housefellows and other residential life staff members are neither blind nor foolish. I have heard it recommended frequently that students should simply go to the Arbo when they want to expand their palate of green plants, a method of which I know many students take advantage. There are ways to avoid drinking and partying in dorms, but students still do it, which makes a tough situation for the residential life staff.
According to Sara Rothenberger, the Director of Residential Education and Living, residential life staff members are trained to “confront things against law and policy.” All members of house staff go through about a week of training before first years arrive on campus; during this week they partake in various team building activities, as well as seminars to enhance their ability to respond to drugs, alcohol, sexual assault and other problems that may take place in residence halls. In case they have not emphasized it enough in the past few weeks, our Floor governors and housefellows are always around as confidants to provide students with support in all aspects of their educational and social lives. Rothenberger added that the main goal of the house staff is to prevent threats to health and safety. They are not around to catch students doing something wrong, but to set the tone in the building.
Rothenberger made sure to dispel the myth that the house staff is there simply to get students in trouble. Our floor governors and housefellows are a necessary addition to our dorms for reasons of safety and to prevent any infringement on the rights of others. While your neighbor on one side may enjoy smoking and your neighbor on the other may drink, another student down the hall may choose to not engage in either activity; it is the job of the residence staff to make the environment safe and comfortable for every person in the dorm, regardless of their extra-curricular activities. As Rothenberger described, “everyone needs to have a sense of belonging.”
As we go through the academic year, what is important to try to remember is that the residence life staff genuinely wants to keep everyone safe. However, their jobs are not always easy. After speaking with a floor governor, who prefers to remain anonymous, I learned more about the drug and alcohol scene on campus from a professional, peer perspective. Like Rothenberger, she explained that the house staff goes through a “vigorous, week-long” training session so that members are equipped to handle possible situations regarding drugs and alcohol.
I learned that all problems regarding marijuana should technically be brought straight to Campus Safety, but it is true that some house staff may decide to smell or see only certain situations. Some activities are casually forgotten in many cases that I have witnessed, which I do not say as a critique of the house staff’s performance, but rather I wonder how readily other students are willing to hold their peers accountable. The floor governors do not want to be seen as “fun killers,” as my friend explained, so sometimes it is difficult for them to put their foot down.
While the rules for how to handle illegal substances in residential buildings are pretty black and white and completely outlined in the student handbook, it is easy to bend them. I believe that students on campus are going to smoke and drink whether there are blatant rules in place or not; therefore, I understand why the residential life staff members are sometimes inconsistent in how they handle the situations. That being said, it is our responsibility as adults to be subtle and unobtrusive in our dorm rooms, especially on the weekends. It will make the jobs of our residential life staff much easier if things are kept on the down low.
Whether you decide to partake in these activities or not, most everyone understands that they come hand in hand with college life. If you aren’t doing it, you know somebody who is. The leniency of floor governors is appreciated in most situations, and their presence is even more appreciated in unsafe circumstances, so it is essential not to take advantage of them. We should all continue to enjoy our weekends and be respectful of the space and people around us. •
