CSA 506: College Environments The Pennsylvania State University Jordan Shelby West

Societal and Institutional Silencing:The experience of Muslim Women at The Pennsylvania State University CSA 506: College Environments The Pennsylvania State University Jordan Shelby West December 10, 2009

We all look different…

Veiling on campus

Review of the literature • “The religion of Islam has an estimated 1 billion followers (called Muslims), making it the second largest religion in the world. Islam is growing in the United States and is soon projected to be the second largest faith group in the country” (Ali & Bagheri, 2009). • “Postsecondary institutions in the US educate the largest number of international students” (Cole & Ahmadi, 2003). • “The anxiety about the stereotypes that the Muslim identity might trigger also affects students’ academic performance. A hostile environment also made Muslim students want to distance themselves emotionally, and such distancing sometimes resulted in a disconnection not just from that particular campus community but from school in general” (Nasir & Al-Amin, 2006).

“…face internal and external challenges to adherence to Islam. These students report feeling judged by others because of their religious affiliation. Many Muslim students report apprehension and discomfort in performing Islamic duties that are visible to the public, including prayer, fasting, modest dress, and non-consumption of alcohol. A lack of accommodation for religious practices such as a safe space for prayer, meal accommodations, and acknowledgment of Islamic practices and holidays by administrators and professors can also be problematic for Muslim students” (Ali & Bagher, 2009).

“that some peers and faculty held negative misconceptions about veiled Women. She also expressed being perceived as docile, oppressed, and as having limited English speaking ability because of her veil” (Cole & Ahmadi, 2003). • “try to “pass” as “normal” by remaining in shadowy liminality, rather than by simulating behavior identical to the majority” (Mir, 2009). • “Muslim Women who avoid premarital sex describe relationships with potential mates as “talking,” because most Americans use dating to connote dating plus sex. “Talking” highlights the expectation that only talking should happen” (Mir, 2009).

Needs of Muslim Women at Penn State • Campus understanding of Muslim culture • Social options • Faculty/staff support on campus • Prayer rooms in the Spiritual Center • Dining accommodations • Halal meat • Hours during Ramadan • Living accommodations • Same gender • Bathroom arrangements

Challenges of Muslim Women at Penn State • Veiling on campus • People’s discomfort with their appearance • Assumptions on terrorist affiliations • Using prayer facilities • Dining hall hours during Ramadan • Finding appropriate food on campus • Halal meat on campus • Living in a traditional residence hall • Using the bathroom • Living with a non-Muslim • Space for prayer

Environmental Intervention Increase campus support and awareness of Muslim Women at The Pennsylvania State University

Department of Residence Life • Providing single gendered floors within halls for Men and Women • Continue housing students in single gendered halls • Advertise the option for students to request a single gendered living option when applying/filling out housing forms • Work with the PasquerillaSpiritual Center to promote single gendered living options for Muslim Women and other students interested • Establish programmatic requirements for Resident Assistants to incorporate different religions/cultures into each semester • Work with PasquerillaSpiritual Center and Food Services to establish different hours during the month of Ramadan and more options across campus for halal meat • Work with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to ensure that single gendered living options are mentioned on tours • Develop a small committee of Muslim Women students living on campus to discuss the bathroom needs • Estimate the cost of first year halls with multiple bathrooms per floor, to allow for every few rooms to share

Faculty/Staff • Participate in monthly workshops where issues on campus are discussed that relate to diversity • Semester large scale professional development requirements on identity, current issues, working with students different from yourself • Quarterly meetings between the directors, deans, and senior administration on campus, led by the Office of Educational Equity • Specific conversations about Muslim Women between advocacy units on campus, in particular the Center for Women Students, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and the Pascarella Spiritual Center • Programming by the Center for Women Students catering towards Muslim Women on campus • Collaborative programming efforts between the Pascarella Spiritual Center and the Center for Women Students • Development of a committee of undergraduate Women on campus, including Muslim Women, to bring voice to some issues and concerns they have • Faculty/staff mentoring for Muslim Women

Pasquerilla Spiritual Center • Develop a committee of students from different religious backgrounds to discuss issues on campus and within the Center on religion • Director of Center meet with students from the Muslim Student Association for feedback • Center host an open forum to address any concerns of students/student groups utilizing the space • Collaborate to host specific conversations about Muslim Women between advocacy units on campus, in particular the Center for Women Students, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and the PasquerillaSpiritual Center • Collaborative programming efforts with the Center for Women Students • Evaluate the space for Muslim Women • Consult with students, staff, and faculty • Survey other institution’s space for Muslim Women • Increased support during the month of Ramadan • Food options • Increased space in Center for prayer • Promotion of literature on observance • Continue to facilitate Interfaith Dialogue Groups • Specify a group for Muslim Women on campus

“I am no different than you…” • “Religion is a huge part of me and dictates how I live my life, but that does not mean I should be treated differently.” • “I am fine with the stares because it lets me know I’m different…and that’s cool.” • “It hurts when teachers assume things about me...” • “When I came to college I decided to wear a hijab…my parents were scared someone would hurt me, but I didn’t want to lose my culture.”

“It breaks my heart when students come in because someone made fun of them wearing a head scarf.” • “I have starved myself at Penn State because the dining hall with halal meat closes early and I can’t eat anywhere else…” • “I am scared if I don’t make changes for Muslim Women now, it will only get worse.” • “The prayer room in the Spiritual Center doesn’t even have the direction of prayer properly labeled.” • “I wish people would ask me questions before assuming…”

CSA 506: College Environments The Pennsylvania State University Jordan Shelby West