April 3, 2014 (The Cardinal Newman Society) – A group of students at Villanova University are reportedly considering forming an independent group with the ultimate aim of providing free contraception on campus, according to Villanova’s student newspaper.
Modeling itself after a similar group called H*yas for Choice, which receives funding from Planned Parenthood and other organizations, at Georgetown University, the group would seek to provide a condom delivery service.
One student was quoted as referring to the University’s refusal to provide contraceptives “encourages risky behavior.”
The group would not be permitted to use University resources or receive University funding, according to the report.
“It’s important to represent differing ideas, because not all students identify themselves as pro-life,” said one freshman in the article. “Regardless of the University’s stance on contraception or sex before marriage, people should have access to preventative and safety measures if they so choose.”
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Stacy Andes, director of Health Promotion, at the University reportedly said, “Whether a student gets a condom from the university is less important to me than knowing that a student understands all of the components that go into the decision to have sex. The University does their best to educate and inform students and put them in the best position to make good decisions. That is my responsibility in my role in health promotion, not handing a student a condom.”
Students also reportedly raised the idea of creating a “free speech zone” much like the one at Georgetown that would permit students a space to distribute contraception and promote agendas without interference from the administration.
“I do think that we have free speech zones on campus in the sense of the lively discussions that take place in the classroom setting,” reportedly said Rev. John Stack, O.S.A., vice president of Student Life at Villanova.“It’s important to keep in mind that we as a Catholic school are in favor of open discussion whatever the topic is in the context of a classroom.”
Reprinted with permission from The Cardinal Newmn Society