Sep 3, 2009 7:37 pm US/Eastern
N.J. College Unveils Substance Free Dorm
William Paterson University Offering Place Where Recovering Students Can Get Things Done Without Added Pressure
PATERSON, N.J. (CBS) ―
It's back-to-school time for college students in our area.
Besides hitting the books, dorm life can mean partying and even binge drinking. But one New Jersey school has a plan to help students deal with the pressure and stay on track.
Dennis Huergo and his roommate Alex Siletti were recently settling into White Hall at William Paterson University. All the students in their new dorm take a special pledge.
"I like to party. I don't do anything too crazy, but just that party itself would distract me," Huergo said.
Students here promise to avoid alcohol and drugs for any reason. Some residents are in recovery programs and the dorm is designed to support them. It's something Siletti struggled with during high school.
"I decided to live in the sober dorm because I had a lot of problems in high school with alcohol and drugs. It really affected my school work my social life," Siletti said.
Administrators believe students who had high school substance abuse problems face special challenges when they go to college. So they created the dorm to help them succeed.
"This allows them to come to college and thrive and succeed academically without having to worry about dealing with drugs or alcohol in their daily lives," administrator Glen Sherman said.
"We're trying to create an environment that is free from peer pressure. People who are recovering want the opportunity to be normal," added peer counselor Abba Dela Cruz.
Alma Diaz just wants some quiet to focus on her studies. She's lived in dorms where drinking got out of control.
"You can focus and have a great idea and sometimes because you get distracted and can't do your work," Diaz said.
The sober dorm residents admit not all their friends understand their choice to live in the dorm.
"One of my friends said better you than me," Jazmine Graham said.
"The only thing missing is the temptation of alcohol and drugs, which do nothing but negatively impact my life in my opinion," Siletti added.
These students believe there will be plenty of time to have a good time -- after getting through school.
William Paterson University is one of a handful across the nation with a substance free dorm. Rutgers is the only other university in New Jersey with a sober dorm.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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