My little brother just got accepted into Miami for the fall. So excited for him! He is worried about living the "college life" because he is totally against drinking and he wants to meet friends who make the same choices. I went to OU and I know one of the dorms there was "substance free" meaning everyone who lived there had to sign a contract saying that they would not drink, smoke, do drugs etc. EVER. I really think this is the type of environment he needs to succeed, otherwise he'll be miserable.
Do they offer substance free residence halls at Miami? I know they have the honors dorms, but he hasn't applied to be in the honors program, so I'm not sure if that will be an option for him. I tried looking on the Miami website but I couldn't find anything, so maybe it's a lost cause and he'll just have to deal?
Re: miami grads come in
I think his perception of "college life" and reality is note completely right. A lot of people party- but a lot don't either. I graduated from Miami in 2000- so 10 years ago- but I will tell you that I was not a partier, made lots of great friends and had a wonderful experience while there.
I was a Peer Educator while I was there and made a lot of great friends who shared similar values as well... http://www.units.muohio.edu/saf/HealthEducation/PeerEd.html
Miami's housing is split into living & learning communities. This was something that started evolving as I was graduating... but what I'll tell you is that I'm willing to bet that by choosing a community that fits him, he'll find people that have similar interests and that will help. I'm not sure if there is a community like the one you described, but I wonder if he emails housing if they'll be able to answer his question... ya know? GL!!!
Jenn & Jason
September 27, 2008
I work in Oxford, and from my perception, more people don't party than party nowadays. Dorms are much stricter. And they require you live on campus for your sophomore year, so I think that also deters partying a bit more.
I think he would enjoy Miami very much. There are so many student groups.
For what it's worth, I employ 3 college kids to work in my office, and none of them drink a drop.
I graduated from Miami in 2002, so things may have changed... I do not recall substance free dorms. There were "healthy living" dorms, which were the closest to substance free that I could think. These dorms were located on the south quad, which are across from the Rec (recreational center). The idea was that the people who chose to live in these dorms were non-smokers, committed to a healthy lifestyle - which is why they are located across from the Rec. I lived on this quad, and loved it (but everyone is bias to which quad they lived on!). Now, I do have to say... there were plenty of people who partied that lived in these dorms, even though the dorms rules strongly prohibitted it. I think you'll just have that, no matter what dorm, college you go to.
Miami is a great great school... the best way for your brother to stay away from all the partying is to surround himself with the right people. Like the previous posts said, there are plenty of ways to get involved and there are many non-partying related things to do on and off campus!
Yeah for your brother. He's going to love it. I graduated way back in 1998 and there were no alternative dorms. Alcohol and smoking in the dorms is absolutely prohibited by the university. That being said, there were still quite a few students who did party (including myself on occasion!). There are so many things and groups to get involved in at Miami that I can't imagine he won't find a group of friends that are not into the party scene.
I'm pretty sure when I went there we could fill out preferences for roomates such as "non-drinking", etc. to help match roommates. I don't know if they still provide those to the incoming freshman or not, but he should really contact the housing department.
He's going to love it there.