March 11, 2008
Recently, Harvard University instituted a new policy in one of its recreational centers.
The rule, which restricts one recreational center to women only during certain hours, has been causing a stir among the student body.
The rule was instituted after a group of Muslim women, in a joint effort with the Harvard College Women’s Center, brought up the issue with the university.
According to their faith, Muslim women must cover virtually all parts of their body, including their hair. This makes it difficult to exercise comfortably.
In order to accommodate the numerous Muslim students on campus, one Harvard gym is open only to women two hours a day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Although the university identifies this change as the school’s religious tolerance, many students are opposed.
According to CNN, Harvard student Lucy Caldwell said: "I think that it's incorrect in a college setting to institute a policy in which half of the campus gets wronged or denied a resource that's supposed to be for everyone."
Protests of sexism are a common response to Harvard's action. Many men and even some women have deemed the policy unfair to men.
Harvard claims it's policy is part of the school's “moral and ethical responsibility to make sure (it's) students can stay healthy," according to CNN.
The gym, which is one of the least used on campus, is open to every student, regardless of sex, 64 hours a week.
