Substance-Free Housing

A substance-free environment is one in which all residents and their guests agree to keep their space free from substances at all times. Substances are defined to include alcohol, cigarettes, and other smoking materials, as well as illicit and illegal drugs. While there is an expectation for the entire community to comply with all college, local, state, and federal regulations regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs, the sub-free housing option provides an added measure of support for people who choose not to smoke, drink, or use other drugs. Residence life and housing is committed to maintaining substance-free communities within each of our residential areas in proportion to the desire for those spaces.

Mod lottery groups may register as substance free during the mod lottery by marking the appropriate section of the lottery registration form (for each day they participate). Groups will have another opportunity to designate as substance free on the room sign up form after they have won a mod, and may add the designation to a mod at any time by emailing housing@hampshire.edu and copying all members of the group. As of Spring 2020, students do not need to individually register for substance-free status. Please refer to the mod lottery basics page for more information on participating in the mod lottery.

How does being registered as sub-free affect the mod lottery?

Substance-free lottery groups should participate in the regular lottery process and be sure to mark the "substance free" section in the lottery registration form on each day they participate.

Residence life and housing is committed to maintaining substance-free spaces in the mods as long as there is a need for them. If a substance-free group has not already won a mod in a particular size mod group based on points, the substance-free group with the most points will win the last available mod of that size.

Learn more about the housing lottery

What are the rules for living in substance-free housing?

1. No alcohol, tobacco, or federally illegal drugs are to be brought into the mod or hallway.
2. No one living in the mod/hallway will come into the mod/hallway under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3. All residents of the mod/hallway are responsible for their guests' compliance with the rules of the mod/hallway.
4. Failure to abide by the rules of the mod/hallway will result in disciplinary action, including possible removal from the mod/hallway.
5. Vacancies that arise in substance-free mods/hallways will be filled (when appropriate) by students who request to live in a substance-free space.

What happens if I decide I want or need to be in substance-free housing once I have a housing assignment?

We are committed to providing substance-free spaces for any students who need them. Prior to your arrival on campus, contact the housing operations office directly to discuss your options. Once the semester is under way, please contact your current area coordinator to start the process. We will work with you to find a space that meets your needs as quickly as possible within the confines of current vacancies.