Spring Break
Women-only gym hours at Harvard causes controversy
Issue date: 3/6/08
Harvard University has recently instated a new policy allowing only women to use a campus gym for several hours during the week. The implementation of this new practice was instigated by a group of female Muslim students who said they found working out in the presence of men offensive to their sense of modesty.
Several students presented their problem to the University with the support of the Harvard College Women's Center, and the policy is now being employed on a trial basis.
Six of the 70 hours of operation of one campus recreation center, the least-used exercise facility on campus, have been set aside as women-only hours.
These special hours allow Muslim women, whose religious dress codes require them to cover their hair and most of their skin while in public, to dress more appropriately during exercise. While some find the policy to be only a minor inconvenience, others are outraged, including some female students who regard the policy as sexist.
Several students presented their problem to the University with the support of the Harvard College Women's Center, and the policy is now being employed on a trial basis.
Six of the 70 hours of operation of one campus recreation center, the least-used exercise facility on campus, have been set aside as women-only hours.
These special hours allow Muslim women, whose religious dress codes require them to cover their hair and most of their skin while in public, to dress more appropriately during exercise. While some find the policy to be only a minor inconvenience, others are outraged, including some female students who regard the policy as sexist.
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