Dear Michigan Daily Editors,

I am an April 2017 graduate of the 

University of Michigan and four-year 
resident of the Martha Cook Building. 
I read with intense interest Ms. Andrea 
Perez’s article: “An Afternoon Tea: The 
stark traditionalism of Martha Cook 
dorm.” I found the lack of objectivism, 
bias, and complete misrepresentation 
of the Martha Cook dorm breathtaking.

While there exist two other all-

female dorms, as well as countless 
sororities, on the University of Michi-
gan campus, Ms. Perez chooses to 
emphasize Martha Cook’s “distinc-
tive reputation.” From the beginning 
of the article, Ms. Perez’s intent to 
criticize the Martha Cook Building’s 
deeply rooted history and traditions 
is extremely clear. The result is both 
defamatory and insulting.

As a four-year resident of the build-

ing, I can truly say that Martha Cook 
residents are some of the most intelli-
gent, inclusive, and progressive women 
on the University of Michigan campus. 
William Cook intended for the Mar-
tha Cook Building to be governed by 
women. An all-female Board of Gover-
nors continues to run the dorm to this 
day. I am also disappointed that Ms. 

Perez did not discuss the residents’ 
regular involvement in building-wide 
multicultural events, as well as the 
building’s largest event of the year: 
International Tea.

As a prior student journalist, I fully 

endorse Ms. Perez’s right to express her 
opinions about the history of female 
oppression on the University of Michi-
gan campus. However, it is extremely 
inappropriate to falsely depict the 
Martha Cook Building’s residents as 
ignorant and entitled to advance the 
purpose of her article. Additionally, I 
am disappointed that the Daily editors 
did not adequately fact-check or ques-
tion Ms. Perez’s illusory statements 
and conclusions. For instance, Ms. Per-
ez’s description of “baby days” is not a 
Martha Cook tradition, but is generally 
stated in Dr. Yanni’s work.

I wish Ms. Perez luck in her future 

journalistic endeavors.

Best,

Melanie Boskovich

Indiana University Maurer School of 

Law, 2020

University of Michigan, Class of 2017

Wednesday, March 14, 2018// The Statement 
7B

BY MELANIE BOSKOVICH, 
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CLASS OF 2017

Letter to the Editor: 

Article on Martha Cook 

dorm gets it wrong 

