A Duke University law student has spoken out after school administrators sent a campus-wide e-mail to all students criticizing North Carolina’s Senate Bill 20, which would protect preborn children from abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Senate Bill 20, passed after state lawmakers overrode Gov.’s veto. Roy Cooper, will take effect July 1. However, Duke sent a statement to all students criticizing the bill, which student Paige Brasington called inappropriate in an article written for Duke Chronicle.
“The May 17 email to students from Duke Student Affairs states that Duke is concerned about the law banning elective abortion in North Carolina after 12 weeks,” he said. “Second-trimester abortion, called ‘reproductive health services’ in the email, is said to be ‘evidence-based, essential healthcare.’ The email leaves the law allowing abortion without any pregnancy limit to save the mother’s life. It also leaves the 12-week limit inapplicable in cases of fetal anomaly or rape.”
Duke before issued a statement reaffirmed their support for abortion, and said they would continue to perform abortions as long as legally possible. “Reproductive health services are evidence-based, essential health care. Health disparities research also shows that stricter laws have a disproportionate impact on low-income pregnant women and communities of color,” the statement said, adding, “The University will continue to offer extensive education, support, and resources related to reproductive health care. .”
Meanwhile, Duke Health said it will “continue to provide high-quality care for all patients and the support needed for patients to make health care decisions with their physicians. The University will ensure that education, support, and resources related to such care will continue.” As well issued a statement in support of abortion after being struck down by the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision last year.
Brasington argued that Duke’s open support for abortion is polarizing and serves to send a message to pro-life students that they are not welcome.
“It’s perfectly fine for members of the Duke community and administration to have their own views on abortion, including supporting abortion on demand up until birth,” he said. “However, by sending this email expressing opposition to North Carolina’s new law, Duke is indicating that many views are not welcome here. It also indicates that the large minority (39%) of Americans who identify as pro-life have no place on this campus. Universities should foster communities that share and debate ideas. By taking an extreme position on this issue, Duke shut down the discussion and told students and faculty who might disagree with the University that they are not welcome and should silence themselves if they want to stay. . This does not foster a healthy or safe learning environment.”
