As decision day rolls around, thousands of high school seniors are making big commitments to colleges and universities. For the class of 2023, the decision is a little different than in past years with a new factor to consider: local abortion laws. Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, many states have banned or restricted abortion and birth control access. As a current college student, I am predicting that this policy will impact college decisions and consequently, the student life at chosen colleges.
According to the CDC, 28% of abortion patients are 20-24 years old and 41% have attended some college or are in pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree at the time of their procedure. A large number of women who receive abortions are in the same demographic as many college students. For so many students this has become a deciding factor, drawing attention away from schools like Alabama State University, Marquette University, or Tulane University, especially since these schools have high out-of-state enrollment. These out-of-state students are a high priority for many universities because they often pay higher tuition than in-state students.
If I was a student from a banned state, I may be more inclined to attend out of state schools rather than home-state public universities. I would also consider in my decision what bills were still in progress. According to the New York Times, there are several states where bans are currently blocked by the courts, however, state governments are pushing for the ban to be in place. All these considerations are adding to the already stressful college decision process for both parents and students.
While discussing her daughter’s college decisions with The Washington Post, one mother criticized a list the school counselor had made for her daughter, “Tennessee? … That’s a no-go. … Ohio? No, thank you. … Louisiana? No, thank you. … St. Louis? I’m not giving money to a state that doesn’t think she’s an equal member of society.” This concerned parent is not alone. The recent policy change is forcing many women to take a serious look at what states will value their health. Choosing a college will always include a list of attributes to avoid such as bad dining hall food, outdated residence halls or an ugly campus. Limited access to women’s health resources or restriction of reproductive rights should never have to be on that list of considerations.
Many schools have denied addressing the topic, and only few have responded in written statements. Most of the schools that did respond only addressed how upsetting the policy is and offered condolences to those who will suffer from loss of access. Rice University’s president in Texas wrote that the court’s ruling “has serious consequences for women,” imposing new hurdles to reproductive health. These statements look pretty for the school, however, they have little to no effect on what the students who attend those colleges will have to deal with. A statement like that of Rice University does not enact any tangible change that could make the school more appealing to young women seeking higher education.
Many schools are relying on their health centers providing birth control services to avoid highlighting that while these services may provide preventative measures, they do not provide abortive medications or services. In contrast, colleges and universities in states where abortion is legal will be required to offer access to abortion pills in university health centers. Were I a senior making the decision this spring, I would also take a look at what access to abortion pills, contraceptives and other women’s health resources are offered by the university health departments.
Another aspect to consider is the contribution this effect will make on the already polarized state of America. I anticipate that students who have pro-life beliefs will attend schools that they align with politically, and students that have pro-choice beliefs will do the same, which decreases diversity and contributes to polarization. Students will be surrounded by professors and peers with the same beliefs and, therefore, will not be challenged to take on the opposing perspective. The diversity and open minded attitude of the Northeastern student population is one of my favorite characteristics of this university, and I would hate to see that diverse population decrease as a result of this devastating policy change. While this change is unlikely to happen here in the northeast, this is a real possibility for schools across the country.
It is unrealistic to say this polarization will happen at every college, but for the coming generation of college students who are entering an already hostile political landscape, having a competency in compassion and narrative understanding is crucial to their education, especially those who could be future politicians and lawmakers. While this is just my prediction of what future college decision processes are going to include, the unfortunate reality for many students is that the choice of where to spend “the best four years of their life” will look different in a post-Roe America where women are forced to sacrifice their liberty and must fight endlessly for the pursuit of happiness.