Green Hall, located in North Campus, is currently used to house guests of Central during their stays, but will be reopening next fall for Central students recovering from substance abuse.

Green Hall, being renamed Haven House, is becoming a new living learning community (LLC) for students in the Central Recovery Outreach Community (ROC).

ROC is a community project at Central whose goal is to ensure that students going through rehabilitation for alcohol or drug abuse have a community that understands and supports them.

“Haven House will be an environment that is going to promote healing and on-going sobriety for students at risk for substance use and abuse,” Associate Dean of Students Richard DeShields said.

Most residence halls at Central have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption and drug use. Despite these rules, some students may still choose to ignore them.

For students struggling with drug or alcohol addictions, being away at college while in recovery can make sobriety even more difficult than normal. Without guidance, those who have previously struggled with substance abuse may find themselves more vulnerable to relapse.

Everyone living in the community will share the common goal of sobriety and have their neighbors to rely on for support throughout their time at Central.

Since students living in the Haven House must agree to cease using drugs or alcohol, if they were to relapse, the student would be required to follow sanctions and meet with the Office of Rights and Responsibilities. According to DeShields, students will be worked with on an individual basis.

“It could possibly mean that a student is moved from the community; however, we would have other supports for the student,” DeShields said.

This project received a $10,000 grant from Transforming Youth Recovery. ROC partnered with the Wellness, Counseling and Medical centers after receiving the grant in order to put together this community.

Living in the new Haven House will be a great opportunity for students in recovery at Central.

“Our mission is to support programmatic efforts for recovery, alternatives to alcohol and drug use, strategies for maintaining sobriety and community belonging, promoting recovery, wellness and academics,” DeShields said.

According to Doug Fulp, health educator at Central’s Wellness Center, there will need to be a minimum of six students in order for Haven House to begin next fall.

Registration is now open for incoming Central students and is being promoted for current students as well. Haven House will be able to room a maximum of 35 students next year. This program has major potential to change the college experience for those in recovery in a positive and significant way.