Higher education students face various challenges that often negatively impact their retention rates. Combining multiple challenges leads some students to focus less on academic priorities and their potential retention. Some students begin using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with the stresses, sometimes negatively affecting retention. The negative effects of substance use on retention rates continue to concern institutional leadership. The problem addressed in this qualitative single case study was the negative influence of student substance use on the retention rates of a rural four-year public higher education institution in the mid-Atlantic United States. The purpose was to explore Residence Life Office staff perceptions of student substance use on campus and student retention rates. The study sample was a combination of eight administrative office and residence hall staff members in the university's Residence Life Office. The guiding framework was Tinto's student integration model (SIM). There were two research questions addressed: (a) How do university Residence Life Office staff members perceive negative consequences of student substance use on student retention rates?; and (b) How do university Residence Life Office staff members perceive potential institutional supports for students at-risk of not returning to school due to substance use, thereby increasing retention rates? NVivo was used to transcribe audio files and create the themes in relation to the research questions. Results from the study included the importance of a student's social life surrounding substance use, perceived flaws in the current conduct system, and potential ideas to improve the conduct system and retention. Recommendations for practice include reviewing the current conduct module system used by the university and implementing a Healthy Living program for the students. Future research could include the effectiveness of similar conduct modules at other universities and student perceptions of negative consequences of substance use on retention rates. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]