Students senators opened a quiet room for students of any faith who need a place to pray on campus.
The senator behind this new resource, Joey Atkins, a second year graduate student at Milano School of International Affairs was inspired by a friend, a practicing muslim studying at The New School, who struggled to find an area to pray on campus.
“We would be out between class and he would have to find a place to pray. I asked him where he would go, and he said he’d find a room or a closet somewhere,” Atkins said. He added, “[It] hit me as kind of ridiculous.”
It is in room 206 the L2 floor of the University Center, which is only accessible by elevators one and two. “I’m really happy about [the location] because it’s a big room that’s centrally located…and there’s security going into the building,” Atkins said.
The room is currently unfurnished and unlabeled. There will be a meeting on Oct. 27 open to the public to discuss how to decorate the room while keeping it inclusive of all faiths.
Although the space is meant to provide a convenient location for religious students to pray on campus, non-religious students can also take advantage of this new resource.
“Sometimes you might need a place where you can just get away…If the school can offer a place where somebody can go, and feel secure and comfortable, I think we should do that… It’s for everybody, and everybody can make their own use of it,” Atkins said.
Atkins was open to the idea of incorporating a tech-free aspect to the space for students who want to reflect or pray without the distraction of their phones. He suggested having a “place you can leave [your phone] before you walk in,” but made the point that he didn’t want to take away anyone’s ability to be accessible in case of emergency.
The space is open now from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. in room 206 on the L2 floor of the University Center for all students, faculty, and staff.
Photos by Alexi Rosenfeld