CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University students recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction will find even more support this coming school year as the university opens a new housing option specifically for those in recovery in fall, 2016.

Scholarships will also be available for some students to help offset the costs of on-campus living, making the housing accessible to a broader group of students, including older students who might otherwise choose to live off campus.

The Recovery Living and Learning Community, located in the former cooperative Dixon Lodge, will be focused specifically on creating a supportive, close-knit and substance-free environment for students in recovery. It is being offered in conjunction with the Collegiate Recovery Community, which currently serves students in recovery through Student Health Services. The CRC provides private spaces, support and funding for events on and off campus, and gives students a chance to socialize in a sober environment.

This is the first housing community of its kind at a college or university in Oregon, according to Jennifer Viña, director of marketing and communication with University Housing and Dining Services. It will include dual-occupancy rooms, a community kitchen and programming space.

Providing a sense of community and connecting students with others in recovery is a crucial component to staying clean and sober.

"The students in recovery have a tight bond," a participant of the current CRC said. "We look out for each other, we are available for our friends in recovery 24/7, no matter what."

The recovery community provides students with the same kind of social and professional activities offered in other residence halls, but with an underlying emphasis on "recovery-first," according to John Ruyak, alcohol, drug and recovery Specialist for Student Health Services.

"We are committed to creating a recovery supportive home for all students," Ruyak said. "Through a unified community, we seek to strengthen students' sobriety and support their success as academics, leaders, and community members within the CRC and at Oregon State University."

The new Recovery Living and Learning Community has been made possible by the donation of OSU alumnus Tom Skoro and his wife Joan.

Space is still available for fall, 2016. Contact [email protected] for more information or visit http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/recovery.

Source: 

John Ruyak, 541-737-1184; [email protected]

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