Archbishop Dolan comes to Fordham Law

Dolan Slams New Birth Control Policy At Fordham Event - NY1.com

Dolan's speech at Fordham attacked a so-called culture of death, of abortion and delayed parenthood.

Some in the audience felt his question and answer session avoided uncomfortable subjects.

Student Bridgette Dunlap said some wanted to ask about abortion and same-sex marriage.

"I think it dishonors our law school to say we're going to have an event where we won't take any pointed questions,” said Dunlap.

Fordham said it had nothing to do with the Q&A—that was the job of the question-taker, who declined to speak on camera.

Here's one example of a question apparently too "pointed" for discussion:

You quoted Dr. Martin Luther King at length. Dr. King was a strong supporter of access to contraception and once accepted an award from Planned Parenthood. Do you believe he was promoting the "culture of death" or is birth control something about which reasonable minds can differ?

We'll post the list of prepared questions we submitted later. If you asked a question that was screened out, email it to LSRJ.

We got a website update!

We were disappointed to return from winter break and find the health center website had not been updated as promised.  However, today, we sought permission for the press to visit with us on campus and a few hours later the website was updated!  The updates contain some typos and inaccuracies suggesting the amendments may have been made in haste, but we will take what we can get! (for now)

A favorite revision is below.  We know what Q & A in the FAQs stand for.  But can someone help us with what "B" means?  What ever "B" signifies, the answer is quite defensive and evasive, not to mention a strange response to a seemingly innocuous question:

Q. Can I schedule a routine gynecological exam?A. Yes, you can schedule a women's health exam at the Health Center. Our experienced Nurse Practitioners will perform the exam, send lab work and offer counseling to you where appropriate. Remember, Fordham University is a Catholic and Jesuit University. As such, the physicians, nurse practitioners, and staff of the Health Center abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.  Those interested in these directives can read them,  usccb.org/about/doctrine/ethical-and-religious-directives/ (You will leave this website.)

B. As an independent Catholic, Jesuit University, Fordham University is not, and cannot be neutral on moral questions such as abortion and contraceptive devices. The teachings of the Catholic Church on these issues have been clear and consistent. When issues arise that might not coincide with the University's position on these topics, we recognize the importance of upholding the principles of free expression and open inquiry. At the same time, the University has the equally important responsibility of maintaining a clear focus on its identity as an institution in the Catholic tradition, and the principles and values that serve as the foundation of that identity. We explain our policies to our students, with support and always without judgment. Health education is offered on sexual issues and practitioners are available to clarify concerns and misunderstandings. Referrals are made to the Counseling Center and other agencies in agreement with the University's philosophy. We also make referrals to facilities for confirmation of pregnancies but advise that the referrals are for medical confirmation only and not for treatments that would be contrary to the teachings of the church.

The University will explain its policies without judgment--but it cannot be neutral regarding the evil of contraception!!!

Also, why do medical professionals need to refer us out for "confirmation of pregnancies"?  Aren't health center staff qualified to diagnose pregnancy themselves?  Our cohort from ForhamHEALS suggested staff must be referring students to CVS or Rite Aid.

The Fordham Observer's coverage of the clinic and the notice issue

The Fordham Observer, the undergraduate paper for Fordham College at Lincoln Center, has their coverage of the clinic and the confusion here. 

In light of the University's statements to the press dismissing our assertions that it provides insufficient notice of the health centers' policies ("We don't believe that stance is a surprise to our students." ), it's worth noting that this isn't the first time The Observer has covered this issue.  They first wrote about the disclosure problem in April. 

Podcastin'!

Emily and Bridgette on the RealityCast: Zombie Personhood and Mitt Romney's Elaborate Story-Telling.

Bridgette's follow-up piece at RH Reality Check

Fordham Law Students' Health Clinic a Success, But University Still Refuses to Divulge Health Care Policies RH Reality Check

Pictures from Prescribe Fordham!

No time to blog properly...here are some photos!

We had a really wonderful event last night and we are so grateful to the doctors, volunteers, students, and faculty who made it happen. Here is an email from our hero, Dr. Linda Prine of the Institute for Family Health, summing up:

What an amazing experience we all had tonight, providing birth control for the law students at Fordham!

Here is the summary:

We saw 42 patients, wrote 40 prescriptions for birth control, made 6 appointments for IUDs and gave out our clinic information to many more who may want to switch to an IUD but wanted to think about it some more. All women were thoroughly counseled about all birth control options (thanks Margaux and Tenessa and Ruth and Sarah), were screened for contraindications to estrogen (thanks German and Rachel), had their blood pressures checked (thanks Harika), were registered as free clinic patients (thanks Rosann and Lindsey) and got their prescriptions (Erin and I.) Many condoms were also distributed.

We counteracted lots of misinformation that the students had about birth control, and made many students very happy.

The law students got some good press coverage, including fox news:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1302973752001/

You can check out their Facebook page to see all the rest of the press:

http://www.facebook.com/FordhamLSRJ

The law students were great organizers, many more students came just to be supportive and see what was happening. It was a great event all around!

Linda