To the Editors, 

I am not affiliated with nor a part of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), but I find the relocation of Muslim women’s housing to a Village (formerly Farr) Apartment to be the wrong choice. To my knowledge, this is the first time a student organization has been given such highly sought-after housing that is central to campus life. Student organization housing spans traditional dorms such as Old Kenyon, Leonard and Hanna Residence Halls and apartment-style housing such as Caples Hall, the Morgan Apartments (Milks) and most often the North Campus Apartments (NCAs). It would have made sense in the norms of student life (and logistically) for Muslim women’s housing to have been moved into one of the NCAs. Thomas or Winkler Halls would have worked also since they are ADA-compliant. A Village Apartment does not seem to be more accessible than Thomas House. It is not my place to comment confidently on accessibility issues of housing, so I am confining my frustrations to the socially bizarre aspect of this relocation process. 

Lastly, I don’t see a Village Apartment serving the religious needs of the residents either, some of whom have told me in years past how comforting it was to be able to live and lounge in privacy with other Muslim women in Thomas House. Having lived in a six-person Village Apartment myself, I had to keep most of my curtains, including in my bathroom, closed since my neighbors (employees above the bookstore and two other apartments) could easily see into my room. So I don’t see how this housing provides religious accommodation either.

The decision to move Muslim women’s housing to a Village Apartment needs to be reconsidered. I believe it’s a socially bizarre decision with worse religious accommodation and accessibility than other housing, like the NCAs.

Berkay Kurnaz ’27