A private women’s college located in New York City will be beginning to offer abortion pills to students starting as early as next year. Reasoning behind this decision is to insure their students that health and wellness come first. Sian L. Beilock, president of Bernard had this to say, “ I think we’re putting a stake in the ground that we believe that health and wellness is really the institution’s responsibility for students, and we want to do everything we can to support our students.” The action was provoked by the reversal of Roe v Wade.
According to The New York Times Bernard believes the reversal of Roe v Wade will result negatively in all colleges around the country. For example there will likely be a decrease in college accessibility, decrease graduation rates, and will diminish employment rates. Although abortion is accesible in New York City as of now, they are still planning ahead in case of future barriers that will attempt to alter the accessibility of abortions. Massachusetts public schools are now be required to offer abortion pills to students by November 2023.
CBS stated Bernard is the first to publicly come out and fight for these unprotected rights throughout the country and show how much they care. Women who are denied abortion rights over the 50 years of being illegal are more likely to rely on government programs like food stamps and struggle with finding employment and even end up on welfare. In Idaho they have made it clear they are not allowed to inform students about safe abortions or abortions in general because of the states banning of abortion.