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slatenews@gmail.com February 14, 2012
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President Ruud offers statement Letter from the on Plan B availability in Etter Editor-in-Chief
Following is Shippensburg University President William Ruud’s statement on Plan B availability on campus: Late last week, a reporter for a local newspaper requested information on the availability of Plan B medication on campus. We provided that information in connection with this student-initiated program, as we did with several local television stations. In the ensuing days, this program has become a topic for debate across the nation due to many print and broadcast stories, as well as an untold number of comments on various social media sites. Since then, comments we have either received or seen in the media express both sides of this very personal and emotional issue. Commenters are deeply passionate in their opinions and are taking this opportunity to let us and others know how they feel. We also realize that for our students it is a personal decision based on their own beliefs and values. Plan B is an over-thecounter medication available without prescription for those 17 years old or
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older at pharmacies and drug stores around the nation. The health center is NOT dispensing RU-486, also called the abortion pill. The center is dispensing Plan B, a single dose medication that prevents implantation of a fertilized zygote, will not harm a developing embryo or fetus, and will not work on women who are already pregnant. Plan B does not contain estrogen and does not cause serious side effects in users. We are, as we have said previously, among the majority of universities and colleges in Pennsylvania and the nation to make Plan B available to students. Many have expressed concern that the medication is available in a vending machine and it is being made available without what they consider to be necessary sharing of information prior to purchase of the pill. The machine, which vends only health-related items, is in a private room in our health center and the health center is accessible only by students 17 and
older and not the public. Students proceed to a check-in desk in the lobby and after checking in using appropriate identification are granted access to the private treatment area. No state-supported or taxpayer-supported dollars are used for this service. Students, as part of the support services offered by the university, have the opportunity to discuss any and all important decisions in their lives with medical, pastoral or counseling staff. We are fortunate to have very dedicated individuals who will provide information requested by students and related support. The question about the dispensing method is a valid one and we will evaluate it through further campus discussions. I have contacted the FDA and invited officials to come to campus and review our dispensing practices. Yesterday, we began our evaluation in a meeting with various members of the campus community, including students, faculty, medical staff and others. Our evaluation will involve contacting other colleges and universities nationwide about their de-
livery method. After we gather that information and the information provided by the FDA, we will share that with the entire campus community and continue to seek input into any possible changes in delivery method. However, while we gather input and evaluate the situation, the university will continue to make the medication available for purchase through the current system at the health center as is being done nationwide. A university is a complex organization composed of individuals with diverse and disparate views. We do, however, share one goal — working together so Shippensburg students can have an education nationally recognized for its excellence and with the support services they need. We appreciate all the comments, the concerns and, yes, even the criticisms as we do our best for our students at Shippensburg University. -Courtesy of Shippensburg University
P.O.T.T.E.R. to hold auditions for upcoming AIDS charity show
Auditions for the variety show “A Night Out for Broadway Cares” are going to be held Feb. 20 and 22 from 8-10 p.m. and Feb. 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at CUB 226. The event is being held by P.O.T.T.E.R., the Harry Potter Alliance chapter at Shippensburg University, to raise money for Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS.
The foundation was created within the acting community to fight the influx of AIDS and continues to do work for those affected by the disease. The variety show is looking for acts, mainly Broadway-related but also popular music performances as well as other types of acts. Solo acts as well as group acts are welcome to audition.
There are also auditions for a co-host for the event. The event itself will be held April 25 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. An auction of Broadway memorabilia will also be held at the event. Tickets will be available for pre-sale for $3 and at the door for $5. With all pre-sale orders, you will receive a free red band. Pre-orders will become
available closer to the show date. All proceeds for the event will go toward Broadway Cares. Please contact Stephanie Diaz at sd5597@ship. edu or Megan Gabrielle at mg0838@ship.edu for any more information about the event. -Courtesy of P.O.T.T.E.R.
Dear Slate readers, The recent controversy regarding Plan B being offered in the vending machine has me quite shocked and confused, as I’m sure it has been for much of you, too. Although the SU community may not find this to be a huge concern, clearly some of those outside the campus do, and we need to remain respectful of that. Ultimately, whether you support or condone the vending machine, we need to stand by our school. It is times like this that we need to come together as an SU community, and support that fantastic university of which we are all a part. We need to show the onlookers why Shippensburg is great, and that a dark moment in time will not tarnish the name of Shippensburg University. Stand by your school, as it
stands by you, and eventually, this controversy will pass, and Shippensburg will return to normal. It is unfortunate that such unwavering criticism is what brought our fantastic university into the light, but it will be our enduring bond as a university that will get us through it. Until this controversy ends, I promise The Slate will do everything in its power to keep you informed. We informed the university about the vending machine when it was first installed, and we will do the same now. I encourage you to send letters to The Slate expressing your concerns over this. Your voice should be heard in this matter. Thank you, Chelsea Wehking Editor-in-Chief
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