Higher ed leaders decry the overturning of Roe v. Wade
![Higher ed leaders decry the overturning of Roe v. Wade](https://www.educationaladvisors.com/app/uploads/2022/02/HED.jpg)
Higher Ed Dive
Laura Spitalniak
June 27, 2022
Higher ed leaders largely decried the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, with some campus leaders pledging to support their students and employees in obtaining abortions.
The Supreme Court’s decision overturned nearly a half-century of precedent that gave people in the U.S. the right to an abortion until a fetus became viable outside of the womb.
At least 13 states either immediately banned abortion access after the decision or will do so in a couple of weeks because of so-called trigger laws, according to U.S. World & News Report. Another 13 states are expected to restrict abortion access in the near future.
With over half the country experiencing or expecting a decrease in medical care options, colleges and other higher ed-affiliated organizations released statements about the news.
‘Worthy of righteous anger’
University of California President Michael Drake called the Supreme Court’s decision antithetical to the university system’s mission and values.
“We strongly support allowing individuals to access evidence-based health care services and to make decisions about their own care in consultation with their medical team,” he said in a statement. “Despite this decision by the Court, we will continue to provide the full range of health care options possible in California, including reproductive health services.”
Drake, a physician, also expressed concern that the court’s decision will endanger lives and lead to the removal of other rights.
″It is worthy of righteous anger,” said Kathryn Lybarger, president of the University of California’s largest employee union, AFSCME Local 3299.
In a statement, Lybarger lambasted the Supreme Court’s decision as an “appalling and misogynistic act of judicial activism” and said the union’s 30,000 workers would continue to fight for bodily autonomy.
Lybarger and others said the ruling will disproportionately harm women and people of color.
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