It is time for CSB+SJU to have a pro-choice club

I had a conversation with another student in my class a few weeks back that has really stuck with me.

We were in class discussing reproductive rights and I brought up the fact that CSB+SJU has never allowed a pro-choice club to be created on campus. The student was completely taken aback. They had no clue that the lack of a pro-choice club was not due to a lack of effort on behalf of students, but due to the powers-that-be rejecting the idea time and time again.

There is no way I can fit the multitude of reasons why the lack of a pro-choice club at CSB+SJU is incredibly problematic in one opinion article, but the following is my attempt to at least spread the word of this atrocity so more students can join the fight. Not only does the lack of allowing for a pro-choice club on campus limit free speech and the free exercise guaranteed to all in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, but it creates a hostile and unwelcoming environment to any student or faculty member affected by abortion. Creating an environment of shame goes directly against the Benedictine Values and has no place on our campus.

It is important to note that by approving a pro-choice club on campus, CSB+SJU would not be endorsing pro-choice beliefs. If that were the case of all campus clubs, I guarantee you Catholic doctrine would be trampled on in a variety of ways.

The school can’t just pick and choose which Catholic doctrine it wants to support today. Clearly, sticking to Catholic doctrine is not the issue here for the school. This issue is not wanting to lose funding from anti-abortion supporters of the school, among a host of other nonsensical reasons that prove a lack of care for the students who pay their bills.

I find it important to acknowledge the following facts: • Catholics have abortions at the same rate as non-Catholics in America. • Catholic clergy and leaders within the Church do not all agree on abortion rights. • There is not one consensus within the Church, even if the official Church teaching is anti-abortion. • Catholic teachings on abortion are not stagnant. They have changed over time and will continue to evolve. • 56% of American Catholics believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. • 68% of American Catholics believe that Roe v. Wade should not be/have been overturned.

Finally, I want to draw attention to the fact that barriers to abortion and contraceptive access have the greatest impact on people of color and those in poverty. This is an intersectional issue. If CSB+SJU wants to be the intersectional and welcoming-for-all campus they claim to be, allowing a pro-choice club is a bare minimum toward reaching that narrative.

Please take this as my official call to action for President Bruess to do what has never been done and finally approve a CSB+SJU pro-choice club. Does your faith teach you to stand up for the rights of others? It is long past due. Quotes and figures sourced from Catholics For Choice.