For several years, the Athletics and Recreation department at York has embraced the policy of setting aside certain times in the week for women-only activities at the Tait McKenzie Centre, the main gym on Keele Campus. However, the demand for more accommodation remains strong among students, and the administration is ready to respond.
Currently there is one hour per week of swimming time set aside just for women. Peter Mumford of the Athletics and Recreation department says this has been consistent over the years, but adds that plans are in place to increase the number of hours.
The goal he says is to offer two or three swim times by November which can then remain in place until April, when the pool is shut down for maintenance.
After that, A&R plans to “engage participants to update the schedules and maximize participation for all parties.” Mumford adds that the York Federation of Students is working with the department in this initiative. The YFS could not be reached for comment.
Women-only fitness programs have increased in recent years, but the gym time set aside for women has not. As of 2012, A&R has offered six to nine hours of women-only gym times per week, divided between three days. “Since then we have added women-only drop-in fitness times twice per week,” says Mumford, referring to fitness classes that are an hour long. However, Mumford feels that these numbers are still low.
“I can understand why this is a necessary program at Tait,” says Diana Edelhauser, a third year communication studies major. “I know many girls that aren’t comfortable doing certain exercises or activities around men and that’s perfectly understandable.” Edelhauser commends A&R for providing the women-only timings that are already in place, and says that the fitness time is very reasonable. But she adds that “one hour is hardly enough” for women-only swimming and that this number should be increased.
“Young women are going through a lot of changes in terms of their bodies,” Edelhauser explains. “Honestly, it’s an emotionally tough stage in our lives where sometimes we just need to surround ourselves with other females.” She is concerned about the way these women-only accommodations are often stigmatized. “It’s not a matter of sexism,” she says. “It’s a matter of feeling personally safe and comfortable to stay healthy.”
A&R’s accommodations have figured prominently in recent months in discussions at other Canadian universities about instituting women-only gym times. In September 2014, Ryerson University instituted 90 minutes of women-only gym time, five days a week. A movement earlier this year to have the same done at McGill University also pointed out examples of other universities, including York, that already provide such accommodations.
At York, A&R is taking further steps and is considering women-only intramural programs. Mumford says he is “always open to the conversation” about further improving or increasing accommodation the student body asks for.
“I have an open door policy,” he says, “and will be looking to engage students for input” in the future to ensure their concerns are addressed.
Hassam Munir, Sports and Health Editor
