This is some good news. You probably remember that Johns Hopkins University refused to recognize a pro-life student group. Pro-lifers were outraged. And now, it seems that the university is reversing itself and the group would now possibly be eligible to receive funding which would go towards sidewalk counseling.
“Today is a victory not only for pro-life students here at Johns Hopkins, but for pro-life students around the country,” said a pro-life student leader in a statement. “We hope that our story of rising above discriminatory opposition can inspire pro-life students around the country to courageously take a stand for life and speak truth to power at their own college campuses.”
The Baltimore Sun reports:
Anti-abortion activists at the Johns Hopkins University who had fought to form an official club have been fully recognized, clearing the way for them to use the institution’s logo and raise cash on campus.
The university announced Wednesday that an earlier decision by the Student Government Association to block the group, Voice for Life, was reversed by a panel of student judges.
The issue has set off a storm of debate over free speech and whether anti-abortion “sidewalk counseling” constitutes harassment at the private university.
Voice for Life plans to approach women and their companions outside clinics near the Homewood campus to discuss abortion, as well as conduct on-campus demonstrations using literature and non-graphic images, said freshman Andrew Guernsey, president of the group. Guernsey said the group won’t shout at or confront individuals.
Guernsey and freshman Monica Rex, another leader of the fledgling group, said the Judiciary Committee’s decision clears a path for them to “begin the real work of saving lives.”
“While the road was difficult, we have learned just how much this fight for life means to us, and how important it is that students at Johns Hopkins have the opportunity to hear our pro-life message,” Rex said in a statement. “Johns Hopkins has always stood for the very best in higher education, and we look forward to bringing our pro-life message to future leaders in the medical industry here at Hopkins.”
April 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm
I guess I'm more surprised that a hospital doesn't inherently see itself as pro life? Have the politicians redefined the word "hospital" now too?
As an academic who sees no reason whatsoever why this or any university needs to sanction anything but a solid education, all I can say is universities, like my employer, me to get out of the business of advocacy for lifestyles and back into the realm of high quality, cost effective education.