University of Oregon to Provide Counseling Services to Students During Pro-Life Event

Administrators at the University of Oregon announced that they will be providing counseling services to students traumatized by an upcoming pro-life event.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform is planning on using the University of Oregon’s campus for a pro-life event on Wednesday. The event will involve a 20-foot tower covered in graphic images depicting abortions.

The group, which is not associated with the university or any of its students, has caused a stir on campus. Administrators announced this week that counseling services will be available to students who are emotionally traumatized by the display.

The group booked a lawn at the University of Oregon, which is available for rent by the public regardless of political perspective. “Our job is to be content neutral because we’re a public space on a public campus,” Laurie Woodward, the administrator in charge of the booking of campus space, said. “We book groups on whether or not they meet criteria.”

Student Eric Howanietz expressed his concern over the group’s upcoming visit. “For an outside organization to come into our town, into our community college — to do this is just uncalled for,” he said. “These people are cowards in my mind.”

“Just because the group has the freedom to speak doesn’t mean students are obligated to go,” Dean of Students Kris Winter said. “Our main concern is students’ safety.”

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform is taking their display to colleges around the country. Last week, their graphic signs were plastered on the grounds of Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Lane Community College also offered counseling services to affected students.

“What this is is a display of patriarchal oppression. It’s a display that’s meant to make me afraid, it’s meant to take my power away. It says that women can’t make decisions about their own bodies,” student Becca Hill claimed.

“If I had known this was here, I probably would not have come to school today. It’s a distraction to students from their learning and it’s a barrier to their educational access,” Hill added. “Look at all these people who are taking time to look at all these images instead of doing something else. It’s ruining people’s day.”