Ramapo College offers students several alternative and specialized on-campus housing programs, but next semester, the College is unveiling two more.
Ramapo students can now choose to live in Substance-Free Housing or the International Living Learning Community for Fall 2013.
Substance-Free Housing will provide students with a drug-free environment in which to live and a safe haven, separate from the rest of on-campus housing, where the temptation of drugs and alcohol is absent.
According to the College, students don't have to agree to abstain from the use of alcohol or tobacco entirely, but will have to do so inside the building and around the designated perimeters in an area of Phase I of the College Park Apartments.
"Over the years, we have had several requests by students to offer substance-free housing," said Lisa Gonsisco, assistant director of Residence Life. "Each student has their own reason or value set for wanting to live in substance-free housing. Students may wish to reside in this type of environment for personal reasons, family or personal history of substance abuse, societal pressures or religious beliefs."
Substance-Free Housing promotes health and abstinence of drugs on campus, groups together several people with the same beliefs, gives students and parents who are concerned about the pressure and use of substances peace of mind and offers a place of comfort and reassurance for young adults in recovery or who simply choose sobriety. Applications for Substance-Free Housing are due Feb. 22.
The International Living Learning Community will also be housed in the CPAs next fall.
This program will create a community for students to live together in support of the global environment. Residents are collectively assigned a set of coursework, activities and community events to attend. Students who decide to live within this arrangement are given advantages such as the opportunity to enhance their resume. The requirements for this type of housing are listed on the Ramapo College website. All applications are due no later than Feb. 22.
In addition to these two new initiatives, Ramapo already offers Gender Neutral Housing and the Sustainable Living Facilities.
Gender Neutral Housing has been offered on campus for the last four years, which allows same gender, opposite gender and all gender identity students to live together, going beyond traditional gender limitations of same-sex arrangements. Gender Neutral Housing expands to include residence halls so that students of all grade levels can participate. Information on Gender Neutral Housing is available through OrgSync, and there is an information session on Thursday, March 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. in B216. Applications are due by March 15 before 4:30 p.m.
Sustainable Living is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. This type of housing promotes efforts for "Go Green" eco-dorms. The program began in Fall 2010 and housing includes Village Complex 16 and CPAs Redwood and Hickory. Students in this housing assignment also grow their own food, have a sense of community and build their resume. Sustainable Living requires the completion of a separate application, which is due Feb. 15.
mfernan3@ramapo.edu
