A response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate federal protections of abortion rights.
Dear Oxy Community,
Even though we are scattered for the summer, I felt it was important to write and address today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate federal protections of abortion rights. I want to acknowledge that there are no doubt many views in our community about this issue, and people may be processing this news in myriad ways. Nonetheless, the impact of this decision is enormous, and magnified by the potential implications for other legal rights and freedoms Americans currently possess.
Occidental College follows all California state guidelines, which continue to protect abortion rights. Even so, this is a time of uncertainty for the majority of Oxy students and their families who do not live in-state when school is not in session. Today’s decision does not impact any of our on-campus health resources, programs and resources. I also want to assure everyone that the College and Emmons Wellness Center will continue our practice of ensuring students are aware of how to access the full range of reproductive health care. We will, of course, continue to provide the same access through health insurance for faculty and staff as well.
This also is a time that emphatically underlines the importance of Oxy’s mission, its collective commitment to social justice, and ensuring students develop the essential skills they need to advocate for the public good. We will be working with campus and community partners to develop several events this fall for further discussion of this issue and the Supreme Court decision.
President Elam