Although residence halls at the University of Iowa are scheduled to go completely dry next year, Iowa State Department of Residence officials insist that ISU is not heading in a similar direction.

Smoking and drinking, even for those of legal age, will not be allowed in residence halls at the U of I beginning with the 2000-2001 school year.

Virginia Arthur, associate director of residence life, said there are no current plans to make ISU residence halls substance free.

ISU residence hall policy allows residents of legal age to smoke and drink, with some limitations. Several floors are designated non-smoking or alcohol-free, and the newly renovated Maple Hall is completely substance-free.

The health of the residents was the reason for implementing the substance-free policy at the U of I, said Phillip Jones, vice president of University of Iowa Student Services.

“Given the difficulty in trying to enforce smoking room policies, it became important to consider the issue of secondhand smoke,” Jones said. He said the effects of secondhand smoking have increased greatly among people ages 18 to 24.

Jones said the reason alcohol will not be allowed is because of the large number of underage residents.

“Since better than 90 percent of the residents are underage, it’s difficult for a 21-year-old to find somewhere to drink socially,” Jones said. “It heightens the possibility that students under 21 will be in the room drinking.”

Jones said the alcohol policy might be reexamined at a later date.

Arthur said the current system of “wet,” “dry” and “damp” dorm rooms is effective for ISU.

According to the ISU Terms and Conditions of the 1999-2000 Room and Board Contract, residents over 21 and their guests who are 21 or older may have alcohol in their rooms. Students who are under 21 may not have alcohol or empty alcohol containers in their rooms, even if the owner of the alcohol is of legal age.

Arthur also said the current smoking policy is appropriate for ISU. Smoking is allowed in most student rooms as long as the doors are closed.

“We have a few buildings that are smoke-free by their own choice,” she said.

Jones said he has received few complaints from students about the residence hall policies.

“I haven’t heard a word,” Jones said.

Ryan Clausen, freshman in agriculture, said enforcing a substance-free policy might be difficult.

“It would cause a lot of headaches writing them up,” he said. “Even now you can’t enforce alcohol-free rooms for underage students.”

Jones said the policy definitely will be enforced at the U of I. Disciplinary actions will range from a warning to expulsion.

The policy is for the good of the students, Jones said.

“We have a goal of creating a safe and healthy environment,” he said.