We the undersigned strongly protest the decision of the Washington University Student Bar Association (SBA)—which by University choice controls both recognition of student organizations and the disbursal of the University’s mandatory student fee—to deny, twice, recognition to Law Students Pro-Life. This action restricts freedom of conscience, freedom of association, and freedom of speech, and it demonstrates an unbearable double standard.
Law Students Pro-Life has met all the criteria currently listed in the SBA by-laws as necessary for recognition. The SBA’s objection to “the narrowness of [Law Students Pro-Life’s] interests and goals” is not a valid argument against official recognition. The SBA has already rightly recognized freedom of association by its approval of several organizations that might be defined by others as “narrow,” from group-identity organizations to a Golf Club. This double standard strikes at the heart of liberty and violates the moral principles of legal equality and dignity.
The SBA’s suggestion that “[Law Students Pro-Life] was not touching on all possible Pro Life issues”—telling the group to adopt an “anti-death penalty” stance—violates the group’s right to organize according to its own principles. For Washington University, Law Students Pro-Life has the wrong conscience, and the University seeks to coerce them to espouse beliefs that may violate their deepest convictions. No institution seriously committed to open discourse would tell students what issues they cannot address, let alone what issues they must address.
We request that the administration simply recognize the right of campus groups to advocate particular positions, making possible a diversity of vital voluntary associations. Protecting freedom of speech does not compel agreement with the uses that individuals make of that freedom. Neither “pro-choice” nor “pro-life” proponents are “too narrow.”
We request that the SBA and the administration work to create clear guidelines for student organization recognition and to put in place safeguards to protect freedom of conscience, freedom of association, and freedom of speech on the Washington University campus. The University itself collects the mandatory student fee, and the University itself owns and controls the campus facilities made available by recognition. Washington University in Saint Louis presents itself as a place of freedom and open debate. The administration is responsible for fair use of its fees and facilities.
We petition the SBA to fulfill its duty and to vote in favor of the recognition of Law Students Pro-Life at the October 14, 2002 SBA meeting.
Should SBA vote against freedom of conscience, we request the Washington University administration to act immediately to recognize Law Students Pro-Life as an official student organization, with all attendant benefits. We also request that the administration ensure that the future status of Law Students Pro-Life be clearly safeguarded from similar assaults from the SBA or any other university agency.
The Washington University administration, given its promise of freedom of religion and freedom of speech, should recognize that it and its agents, including the SBA, lack the moral authority to dictate the political and moral views of students and student organizations.
Finally, we call on the Washington University administration to take a strong stand to protect freedom of conscience on the Washington University campus. A great university does not impose a dreary uniformity of beliefs.
[Organized by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education]
Signatories:*
*Partial listing as of noon, October 14, 2002
Dr. Abraham H. Miller
Professor Emeritus
University of Cincinnati
Dr. Adam F. Scrupski
Professor Emeritus
Rutgers University
Dr. Adrian R. Morrison
Professor of Behavioral and Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Alan Charles Kors
President, Foundation for Individual Rights of Education
Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania
Mr. Alan Cramer
Student
Washington University School of Law
Mr. Albert Himoe
Dr. Aldo S. Bernardo
Professor Emeritus
Binghamton University
Dr. Allan B. Mandelstamm
Professor Emeritus
Virginia Tech
Mr. Allen N. Chisholm
Ms. Allison Deppe
Mr. Andrew Gomes
Mr. Andrew Roberts
Mr. Andrew Spring
Washington University alumnus
Mr. Andy Robertson
Mr. Angie Koutrotsios
Dr. Anne Pym
Professor
California State University, Hayward
Mr. Arthur J. Katz
Dr. Arthur T. White
Professor of Mathematics
Western Michigan University
Ms. Belynn Whatley
Dr. Benjamin F. Hammond
Research Professor of Periodontal Microbiology
Temple University
Mr. Bradley Hurt
Mr. Brendan Kenny 1L UC Hastings
Mr. Brett Harris
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Brian L. O’Connor
Professor Emeritus
Indiana University School of Medicine
Dr. Bruce P. Frohnen
Professor
Ave Maria School of Law
Mr. C.V. Compton Shaw
Miss Cailin N. Chrismer
Dr. Candace de Russy
Trustee
SUNY
Dr. Carey E. Stronach
Professor of Physics
Virginia State University
Mr. Carl Olson
Mr. Carl Walter
Law Student
Washburn University School of Law
Ms. Carolyn B. Spence
Director of Financial Affairs, Marketing
Clovis Connections
Mr. Charles Conrad
Mr. Charles Hardy Student
Stanford University
Mr. Christopher Martin
Mr. Christopher Moritz
Student
Santa Monica High School
Ms. Claire Kittle
Georgetown University
Mr. Cliff Bamford
Mr. Cortes DeRussy
Mr. Craig Monett
Mr. Craig Rolle
Intern
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Mr. Craig Sands
Mr. Curtis Crawford
Educator and Clergyman (retired)
Mrs. Cynthia Pica Nunez
Staff Accountant
Solar Turbines, Inc.
Mr. Dale Crawford
Mr. Damon Walker
University of California Berkeley
Mr. Dan L. Kennedy
CEO
Human Life of Washington
Mr. Daniel Rah
Mr. Daniel Schmutter
Dr. Daniel Shapiro
Professor
West Virginia University
Dr. Daniel Steele
Associate Professor
University of South Carolina
Mr. Dave Fobare
Mr. Dave Huber
Teacher
Brandywine School District, DE
1LT David B. Thayer
Platoon Leader
U.S. Army
Mr. David C. LaPlante
2L
St. Louis University School of Law
Dr. David Churchman
Professor
California State University
Dr. David Clemens
Professor
Monterey Peninsula College
Dr. David Deming
Associate Professor
University of Oklahoma
Mr. David J. Cattie, Esq.
Mr. David Leefe
Founder, CEO
Baptists Against Abortion
Mr. David M. Lipton
Dr. David Nance
Dr. David Seidemann
Professor
Brooklyn College
Mr. Dirk Van Alstyne, PhD.
Northwestern University
Mr. Dominic J. Anderson
2L
Washburn University School of Law
Mr. Dominick Lombardo
Dr. Donn Taylor
Professor of English Literature (retired)
Ms. Dorothy Timbs
Student
Regent Students for Life
Dr. Douglas Kahn
Professor
University of Michigan Law School
Mr. Duane T. Schmidt
Mr. Edwin Austin
Dr. Elizabeth Fox-Genovese
Eleonore Raoul Professor
Emory University
Ms. Elizabeth Maier
Undergraduate
University of California Berkeley
Mr. Elliott Ward
Dr. Eugene D. Genovese
Ms. Eva St. Clair
President
Stanford Students for Life
Dr. Evelyn Avery
Professor of Literature
Towson University
Dr. Gary M. Sasso
Professor and Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Iowa
Mr. Gary Waltrip
CPA
Mr. George Roper
Dr. George W. Dent, Jr.
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Dr. Gerald Betty
Dr. Gerard Harbison
Professor of Chemistry
University of Nebraska
Mr. Glenn Keenon
Miss Grace Sun
Student
Stanford University
Miss Gracie Sorbello
Student
Mr. Gregory J. Sullivan
Lawyer
Hartsough Kenny & Chase
Mr. H. Paul Moon J.D. ’99
Mr. Harry E. Teasley, Jr.
Reason Foundation
Mr. Harvey A. Silverglate
Vice-President, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Partner, Silverglate & Good
Dr. Harvey Shulman
Professor
Concordia University
Dr. Howard S. Schwartz
Professor
Oakland University
Dr. Ian Maitland
Professor
University of Minnesota
Mr. Ilya Mafter
President
IMC Associates Corp.
Mr. Jack Hallett
Mrs. Jacqueline Kulp
Mr. James Ettwein
Director
i-One Consulting LLC
Mrs. Janice Kulp
Mr. Jared Danzinger
1L
Northwestern University
Mr. Jason Crawford
Graduate Student
Harvard University
Mr. Jason Roberts
Law Student
Texas Tech School of Law
Mr. Jason Smith
Student
Washington University School of Law
Mr. Jeffrey Greenspan
Dr. Jeffrey Poelvoorde
Professor
Converse College
Mr. Jeffrey R. Smith
Gonzaga School of Law
Ms. Jennifer Pelphrey
Mrs. Jianbo Zhao
Mr. Jim Kulp
Mrs. JoAnn Anders
Mr. Joel Margolis
Mr. Joel Smith
Mr. John B. Brunati
Dr. John C. Wenger
Professor of Mathematics (retired)
Harold Washington College
Dr. John L. Hubisz
North Carolina State University
Mr. John S. Baltutis
Dr. Jon Reisman
Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy
University of Maine at Macias
Dr. Jonathan Bean
Associate Professor of History
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Dr. Jonathan Chaves
Professor of Chinese
The George Washington University
Dr. Jonathan Katz
Professor of Physics
Washington University, St. Louis
Dr. Joseph M. Skelly
Assistant Professor of History
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Mr. Joseph Miller
Mr. Joseph S. Collins
Mr. Josiah Neely
Notre Dame School of Law
Dr. Judith Kleinfeld
Professor of Psychology
Ms. Julia Devall
Dr. K.R. Nair
Professor Emeritus of Economics
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Dr. K.W. O’Connor, M.D.
Ms. Kathleen Lafferty
Conference Director
American Collegians for Life
Mrs. Kathleen Lubin
Ms. Kathy Luger
Graduate Student
Ms. Kellie J. Miller
Student
Ave Maria School of Law
Dr. Ken Masugi
Director, Center for Local Government
Claremont Institute
Mr. Kenneth Fukuda
Campus Crusade for Christ
Mr. Kent D. Johnson
President
Information, Technology & Education, LLC
Dr. Kevin D. Hoover
Professor
University of California Davis
Ms. Kimberly R. Sweidy
JD, MBA
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Mr. Kris Mauren
Executive Director
Acton Institute
Miss Kristina Twitty
Collegians Director
Eagle Forum
Dr. L. David Ormerod
Miss Lana Wright
Law Student
Dr. Larry C. Bernard
Professor
Loyola Marymount University
Ms. Laura Drexler
Ms. Laura Kulp
Program Officer
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Mr. Leon H. Yancey
Cavalryman
U.S. Military (retired)
Ms. Linda Kuester
University of California Berkeley
Dr. Linda S. Gottfredson
Professor
University of Delaware
Ms. Lisa Pinto
Attorney
Mr. Lloyd Buchanan
Dr. Louis Chandler
Associate Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Lucy E. Moye
Associate Professor of History
Hillsdale College
Ms. M. B. Baumeister
Ms. Maggie Diamantidis
Ms. Maria Thornhill
Mrs. Marilyn R. Scull
Mrs. Marjorie Peters
Mr. Mark Silinsky
Mr. Mark Zugelder
Dr. Martin Trow
Professor Emeritus
Goldman School of Public Policy
Mr. Mathew Kawecki
Student
Duke University
Mr. Matthew Gifford
Ms. Megan Sands
Billing Manager
Ms. Melissa Lynn Riegert
Mr. Melvin Pyatt
Mr. Michael Bellafiore, S.J.
President
LifeMatters at G.T.U.
Dr. Michael Kellman
Professor of Chemistry
University of Oregon
Dr. Mike S. Adams
Associate Professor
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Dr. Myles J. Kelleher
Professor of Sociology
Bucks County Community College
Mr. Ned Wynn
Dr. Neil W. Hamilton
Professor of Law
University of St. Thomas Law School
Dr. O. Randall Braman
Emeritus Professor of Psychology
University of Guam
Mrs. Patricia Carter
Dr. Paul A. Cantor
Professor of English
University of Virginia
Mr. Paul Driessen
Dr. Paul Lake
Professor of English
Arkansas Tech University
Mr. Paul Maier
Dr. Paul Moreno
Assistant Professor of History
Hillsdale College
Mr. Paul Pica Nunez
Dr. Paul Trummel
Professor (retired)
Mr. Peter Abeln
Mr. Peter F. Buono
Coordinator
Mr. Peter Kovacs
Santa Clara University, School of Law
Dr. Phillip Goggans
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Seattle Pacific University
Mrs. Rachel Fezzie
Graduate Student
University of California Berkeley
Mr. Rafal Konopka
Mr. Rafer Willenberg
Mr. Ralph Wall
Dr. Ramdas Lamb
Graduate Chair, Department of Religion
University of Hawaii
Dr. Raymond Wolters
Keith Professor of History
University of Delaware
Mr. Reed Irvine
Chairman
Accuracy in Media, Inc.
Mrs. Rhonda C. Lutz
Dr. Richard A. Zeller, Ph.D.
Visiting Professor
Kent State University
Mr. Richard Angerer
Dr. Richard G. Stevens
Professor Emeritus
Institute of World Politics
Dr. Richard J. Davis
Professor of History (retired)
Mr. Richard Orodenker
President
Pennsylvania Association of Scholars
Mr. Richard Reinsch
Mr. Richard Stanger
Dr. Richard Weikart
Associate Professor
California State University, Stanislaus
Dr. Robert Finegan
Professor
Drexel University
Mr. Robert Hart
Anglican Priest
Dr. Robert Johnson
Professor
Washington and Lee University
Dr. Robert K. Griffith
Associate Professor
West Virginia University
Dr. Robert K. Griffith
Associate Professor
West Virginia University
Dr. Robert Lawson
Professor
Ohio State University
Mr. Robert M. Hayles
Mr. Ronald Maczka
Student
San Francisco State University
Dr. Russell LaScola
Professor
California Polytechnic State University
Mr. Sage McLaughlin
Mr. Sam Thornhill
Ms. Samantha Kors
Alumnus
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Mr. Samuel Chang
Student
Stanford University
Miss Sarah Kluge
Administrative Associate
Stanford University
Mr. Scott A. Hodges
JD Student
University of Oklahoma
Mr. Scott Garman
University of New Hampshire
Mr. Scott K. Harris
Educational Consultant
Mr. Shane Meling
Graduate Assistant Sports Promotion and Information
Slippery Rock University
Miss Stacie L. Nicholson
Dr. Stanley Rothman
Professor Emeritus
Smith College
Mrs. Stephanie Henry
Mr. Stephen McCants
Computer Programmer
Mr. Steve Hong
Vice President
American Collegians for Life
Mr. Steve Hong
Vice President
American Collegians for Life
Dr. Steven Chernus
Dr. Steven Grosby
Professor
Clemson University
Mr. Steven Schloeder
Graduate Theological Union
Mr. Tadmor Shalon
Washington University alumnus
President, Mta Ltd.
Dr. Ted A. Warfield
Associate Professor of Philosophy
The University of Notre Dame
Dr. Ted J. Smith III
Associate Professor, Mass Communications
Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Terry G. Harris
Associate Professor
Louisiana State University, Shreveport
Dr. Thomas F. Piatkowski
Professor of Computer Science
Western Michigan University
Mr. Thor L. Halvorssen
Executive Director
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Mr. Tom Tweed
Mr. Tony Booth
Coordinator of Library Technology
Danbury Public Library
Ms. Tracey Peake
Information/Communications Specialist
North Carolina State University
Ms. Vicki A. Tucci
Mr. Victor Ranga
Dr. W.M. Schaffer
Professor
University of Arizona
Dr. Walter Block
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
Loyola University New Orleans
Ms. Wendy Kaminer
author/columnist
Miss Wendy McMahon
Law Student
University of Oklahoma
Mr. Will Wilkinson
Program Director
Institute for Human Studies
Mr. William E. English
Dr. William E. Garland
Professor of Law
Seton Hall Law School
Dr. William Grosky
Professor and Chair
University of Michigan, Dearborn
Dr. William L. Anderson
Assistant Professor
Frostburg State University
Dr. William Ty Mayton
Simmons Professor of Law
Emory Law School
Dr. Wm A. Phillips
Professor
University of Southern Maine
Mr. Rudy M. Porchivina
Managing Partner
Porchivina & Associates
Mr. Albert Fitzgerald
President
Answers Research, LLP
Mr. Robert L. Freedman
Partner
Dechert
Dr. Donald A. Downs
Professor
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Dr. Kenneth R. Mayer
Professor of Political Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ms. Jennifer E. Powell
Dr. Stephen H. Balch
President
National Association of Scholars
Mr. Gerald E. Nora
Assistant State’s Attorney
Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney
Ms. Anne D. Neal
Executive Director
American Council of Trustees and Alumni
Mr. Jacob Stuebs
Duke Students for Life
Dr. Glenn M. Ricketts
Public Affairs Director
National Association of Scholars
Dr. Brian Akers
Asst. Professor of Biology
St. Andrews Presbyterian College
Mr. Sean M Kedrowski
Duke University
Mr. Gerald Joseph Nora
Predoctoral Fellow
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Dr. Suzana Glavas
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California, San Francisco
Mr. Brandon Brod
Mr. Erich Wasserman
Director of Development
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Mr. Herbert L. Weinreb
Dr. Earle Bronson
President
Arizonans for National Security
Dr. Marsha L. Frey
Professor of History
Kansas State University
Dr. William Minto
Dr. Clive Seligman
Professor
University of Western Ontario
Dr. Malcolm J. Sherman
Professor
University at Albany
Dr. Michael Neth
Professor of English
Middle Tennessee State University
Dr. Wilfred M. McClay
SunTrust Chair of Humanities
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Miss Crystal Robinson
Founder
Angels for Life
Dr. Jerome C. Yanoff
Adjunct Professor of Education
National-Louis University
Ms. Jennifer S. Youngblood
Stanford University
Miss Rachel Stenbuck
Meredith College
Dr. Pedro Gutierrez
Stanford University
Dr. Don Racheter
Professor of Political Science
Central College
Mr. Richard M. Esenberg
Vice President & General Counsel
Rite Hite Holding Corporation
Miss Rebekah Taylor
Mrs. Kathleen S. McCreary
Attorney (retired)
Mr. Lawrence Field
Chairman
NSB, inc.
Dr. Paul T. Riel, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Mrs. Charmayne Zieziula
Mr. John Korman
Duke Students for Life
Dr. Robert A. Schluter
Professor Emeritus
Northwestern University
Mr. Richard Clifford
Ms. Carlee M. Hobbs
Miss Theresa Berens
Student
Stanford University
Mr. Rex Larson
Dr. Alexander F. C. Webster
Assistant Professorial Lecturer
University Honors Program
Mr. Stuart A. Miller
Virginia Association of Scholars
Mr. Leon Barwick
Mr. Joseph Belk
Respect Life Coordinator
St. John Fisher Parish, Newtown
Mr. Ron Henry
Dr. Mike Allen
Professor of History
University of Washington, Tacoma
Dr. Stephen Bainbridge
Professor of Law
UCLA School of Law
Ms. Molly Bowman
Director of California Students for Life
Berkeley Students for Life
Dr. Gerald L. Rowles
Mr. M. Reed
Law Student
Pepperdine University School of Law
Mr. Stephen Phelan
Ms. Keely Madron
Mr. Charles H. Livingston
Director, Communications Services and Self-Governance (Retired)
Nee Vought Aircraft
Mr. Steven Veenema
Rightsholder Relations Representative
Copyright Clearance Center
Miss Brandi N. Gerringer