Last week, the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the federal protections of reproductive rights, including the right to abortion, established in previous landmark rulings Roe v Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v Casey (1992). The ruling nullified a half-century of precedence in American life, that the right to decide whether and when to become a parent is among the most fundamental rights a woman can have.
The Dobbs ruling has now left the existence of this right up to individual states to affirm or deny. While the state of Illinois will continue to allow women the right to choose, many of our neighboring states will not. Without this right, we can expect women’s participation in higher education and all institutions of public life to suffer. Women make up the majority of college students nationwide, and at Roosevelt University. We acknowledge that reproductive freedom is vital, including in some cases for access to higher education.
This decision will also disproportionately affect women-of-color and other already marginalized groups, many of whom we serve in our University. Since its founding, Roosevelt University has been committed to providing equitable access to education and fostering an inclusive learning community without restrictions based on gender, race, and religion.
Roosevelt University stands in support of all women, their freedoms and their right to choose.