It should be a policy that accurately reflects a proportional consensus of what the students want. If 10% of all students are women (muslim or not) who want women-only hours, then 10% of the gym hours should be reserved for them. Since I doubt this is the case, it's probably an overstated attempt to be fair and culturally sensitive. I do, however, disagree that it has anything to do with being American or from America.

This policy is a significant and timely measure in accepting others' cultural norms. I believe both Muslim men and women benefit from the gender segregation, as will undoubtedly all women at the university if they choose to do so. While I suspect that some female athletes benefit from co-ed gym hours, the general female public will reap several rewards from the single sex environment: they will likely push themselves harder in cardio and strength; use the very important strength training equipment more frequently without fear of feeling humiliated, objectified, or out-of-place as they are likely to feel when in the more common situation of being a few women in a sea of men; feel more comfortable in appropriate fitness attire; and maintain a better focus and perspective on athletic/fitness development. My only hope is that the women-only hours rotate by day to better accommodate EVERYONE's schedules and that women who prefer such a forward-thinking environment are not relegated to absurd hours and that men do not continually lose out on the best hours - there should be a happy medium! I applaud Harvard for taking this bold initiative and I hope all students value this tribute to cultural / gender sensitivity.

Well I come from a muslim community and i'm a huge "gymmer" and runner-oh yes and I'm a woman. I have to say that I couldn't support any guidelines that divide. The women can cover up and still work out. That is what most insecure people of any sex does, anyway. I'm sure the Harvard gym has air conditioning. As long as we divide for any reason-we fail. Being military as well, I suppose I also have a very lax attitude about exercise and sweat and things of that nature. If we do these kind of things for gyms, then-where does it stop? Schools, workplace, Churches? Does this type of thing sound familiar?

If you want to "accept another culture's norms," then go to that country and accept them. Can you imagine being a guy with a busy schedule, going to the gym and seeing " Sorry, closed for Muslim women's exercise." Come on. I belong to the Y where there is a high percentage of women athletes and non-athletes working out all the time. No one judges them on how much they are lifting or how hard they are running on the treadmill. If someone is doing that, then THEY are the loser. What if these women had a cultural norm that said they didn't feel comfortable dining with men? Should we then close the cafeterias for them, too? How about driving on the road? Close the freeway at certain times? All the politically correct rhetoric in the world doesn't hide the fact that this is complete idiocy.