UMD to install foot baths in the UC and Fairlane Center bathrooms

General Info

As many of you already know, the University of Michigan-Dearborn has been placed under a magnifying glass due to a certain accommodation for students on campus. The University of Michigan-Dearborn is planning on installing foot baths in the University Center and Fairlane Center bathrooms. The university realized and valued that there was a student need, and decided to accommodate. Many students showed an interest in having foot baths, whether it was for washing feet or allowing for the use the foot baths for ablution.

Despite the need for such an accommodation, many uninformed individuals and media outlets are in an uproar. The university administration has been taking much heat for this. We would ask that you support us and the administration for their tireless efforts in responding to much hate mail and threats.

Please take out a few minutes and Email or Call these individuals, and show your support.

Robert Behrens
Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs
bbehrens@umd.umich.edu
313-593-5110

Stanley E Henderson
Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Life
sehender@umd.umich.edu
313-593-5151

Thank you for your support!

Muslim Students Association Executive Board
University of Michigan – Dearborn
www.msadearborn.org

 

Some additional facts about this accommodation

Over the past several years at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, we have noticed a need to modify existing restroom facilities in several ways.  Among other needs, we have observed that a significant and growing number of our students and visitors to campus were using sinks to wash their feet as a customary daily practice.
 

Using existing restroom sinks for this practice presented several difficulties both to the users and to other visitors.  As a result, we have contracted with an architectural firm to propose modifications to our existing facilities that will allow us to accommodate these students and others in two facilities on our campus.  We believe that these modifications will benefit all students by providing appropriate facilities that do not interfere with the use of existing restrooms.

It is both prudent and appropriate for the university to provide sanitary and appropriate facilities for individuals to engage in this custom at designated stations as opposed to using the restroom sinks.

Some facts:
What is the cost of the project?
We have not received the proposal from the architect or solicited bids yet, but we estimate that the total cost to install two foot-washing stations to be approximately $25,000.

What is the source of the funding?
No tax payer dollars are being used for the project; the funding is being drawn from fees assessed to our students for campus infrastructure maintenance and renovation.

Why are you furthering a specific religion?
We are not promoting one faith over another.  Instead, we are providing a service that many of our students need and value.  This project also means that other campus restrooms can better serve the needs of all students.

Are you the first university to do this?
There are at least 18 other universities around the country that have installed foot-washing facilities, including a number of public universities, at least one being in Michigan.