STUDENT HOUSING ADAPTS

At the University of Maryland, substance-free dorms are quite the rage. Although the university has something of a reputation as a party school, there is a waiting list for residence halls that have been transformed into no-smoking, no-drinking and no-drug zones. It is an interesting trend, which reflects society's search for more healthy lifestyles.

Southeast Missouri State University is a dry campus. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited except for some Show Me Center events. That alcohol ban also applies to the five fraternities and six sororities that make their homes on campus.

The university offers both smoking and non-smoking floors, although residential hall officials have noticed an increase in smoking requests in recent years. That may reflect the fact teen-age smoking is unfortunately on the rise.

Southeast still requires that students with less than 57 hours of credit live on campus, unless they commute. Only about 1,900 students live in residence halls. Specialty floors have proven popular. The "upper class experience" is restricted to students with 57 or more credit hours. Four floors are dedicated to students in academic honors programs. Another floor is geared to transfer students. Two other speciality residence areas are planned for the fall of 1997: a first-year experience program focusing on college survival skills; and a healthy lifestyles floor.