I just attended the RAD days at Reed. I had a phenomenal time with the student body, making lots of new friends right away. However, there was one concerning element to me, and that was drug use. I have no problem with others using substances, but I personally am not one to engage in drug culture or hang out those that are high. How well would I get along socially at Reed? Are there sub-free dorms, and sub-free people?
First, congratulations on being accepted and having an awesome time at RAD! We’re so glad you had a great time.
As for substance use, this question has been answered a few times on Unofficial Reed, so we’re going to direct you to those posts for detailed answers below. The short answer(s) to your questions, though, are that 1) yes, you can absolutely get along socially with people at Reed, 2) Reedies are generally really good about respecting other students’ decision not to partake in what they don’t feel comfortable with, and 3) there are definitely sub-free dorms and sub-free people. (We’re actually pretty surprised no one mentioned them at RAD.)
Here are some previous answers to very similar questions about substance use on campus:
What the drinking and partying life is like on campus.
Will people hate me if I don’t smoke weed?
From Sacha, the original Prospie Adviser, on her experience with drug use on campus.
For some reason the Sub Free tag isn’t working in the archive, so here’s a quick run down on how that works in terms of housing:
The Substance Free (nicknamed Sub Free) dorms are under the theme dorm category, but are considered one of the two “lifestyle” dorms. (The other is the Women’s Floor, in Bragdon.) They’re generally housed in the top two floors of Sullivan on the North side of campus. The dorms tend to hold close to 30 people per floor, with each floor broken up into two sides. There are typically four Sub Free Housing Advisers, two for each floor. The common rooms are centrally located, with awesome balconies that look out towards the West hills/are great for watching sunsets. They’re nice dorms that tend to foster close communities, even when students decide they no longer want to be in Sub Free.
Contrary to some opinions on campus, Sub Free tends to be a really accepting community. Like you, Sub Free Reedies usually don’t care what others choose to do, but they may or may not be comfortable using and would like to keep it out of their living space. The way the dorm works is that you’re free to drink/use at your discretion outside the dorm, but that the dorm itself is a substance free place. In other dorms you can typically keep alcohol in your room if you’re over 21, but it’s discouraged in Sub Free. If students are intoxicated/under the influence they are free to come back to the dorm to crash/come down, because it’s a safe space and HAs and dormies want to make sure their dorm mates are okay. Sub Free kids tend to be really supportive and caring about their community and others, which is great.
That being said, if you do plan on using on campus be very aware of the Honor Principle and how it works. We can’t stress this enough. You are your own person, but at Reed you’re a part of a whole community, and you need to be aware of yourself and how you might effect other people. Reed can be a place of experimentation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be safe. Know who you’re with, and have a backup plan. Be aware of the Alcohol and Other Drugs policy, and what the repercussions might be in violating it.
However, since it sounds like you might feel really comfortable in Sub Free, check it out. When your Orientation packet arrives over the summer you’ll fill out a housing questionnaire about the type of community you want to live in and who you’ll want to live with. You can request to live in the Sub Free dorm then and there if you like.
Let us know if you have any more questions/concerns about substance use on campus. We’re here to help!
