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by Jason Nemcosky '07
Smithdeal Hall in Village II is now also known as the "Wellness Hall" and provides a new type of residential environment for students. In order to live in the Wellness Hall, students must be alcohol free, drug free and tobacco free.
"Regardless of whether you are 21 or not, no alcohol," Dean of Students David Buckingham said.
"It was the students' idea," said Director of Residence Life Carolyn King. "A good number of students were not happy with the traditional halls. They wanted a different environment to live in."
The students now have that environment. During the spring 2005 semester, a committee meeting was held and involved various people from campus services including Chaplalin Bob Chapman, Director of Counseling Bill Brown and Head Cross Country and Track Coach Mat Littleton as well as students who were interested in the idea. At the meeting, they discussed what components would be important to a Wellness Hall, ultimately deciding that all students must be willing to give up alcohol, tobacco and drugs. After the meeting, the Wellness Hall became a reality.
"I don't like smokers," said freshman Wellness Hall resident Tricia Wilhelm. "It's a plus not to be on a smoking hall."
Smithdeal was selected to become the Wellness Hall so there would be a mixture of upper- and lower-classmen.
"It has benefits of living in an upperclassmen hall as a freshman," Wilhelm said.
The hall is currently full, with more than 50 residents. There is also a waiting list of 20 students. If a Wellness Hall resident is caught with drugs, alcohol or tobacco, fellow residents get to decide whether or not to remove the student from the hall.
"They decide for themselves if they want to give students a second chance," King said. "The students decide what their environment will be."
However, being a resident in the Wellness Hall is about more than just being substance-free. The hall also promotes being a well-rounded student socially, physically, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and in terms of service to others.
A variety of special programs will be provided to students living in the Wellness Hall, incorporating a number of wellness-related elements. People signed on to provide these programs include Director of Health Services Mary Cureton, Director of Community Service Diane Hotaling and Fitness Coordinator Courtney Butowicz. Each person will do a program that incorporates what he or she specializes in. For example, Cureton will offer a health-related program, such as a showing of the documentary Supersize Me and a discussion about the problems associated with fast food consumption.
Life in the Wellness Hall is "extremely quiet," Wilhelm said. "I get a lot of work done over there."
"We will continue it as long as students want that living environment," said King. "It's a nice place to live. It really has the potential to be a permanent special housing hall. We will continue to provide students for what they are looking for."