No. 23 (April 27, 2017)

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University News

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Thursday, April 27, 2017

A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1921

Vol. XCVI No. 23

Debate ensues over SAB’s ‘Vibe’ looks Knights of Columbus charter to future By KYLE SMITH Editor-in-Chief

builds up to the concluding Vibe concert on Thursday: that which will feature muLining the Billiken Club sical artists Daya and COIN and Grill on Monday, April at the Chaifetz parking lot at 24, students filled the on7:30 p.m. campus restaurant for not Though spanning over only the free cheesy nachos, a four-day period instead but also for the karaoke and of one, SAB a cappella President showcase Matt Meyers We wanted to organized expressed his do something by the Stu“ideal Vibe” dent Activiportraydifferent; ties Board. ing that of a something to Kicking off Lollapalooget other groups Vibe, a fourza-esque atinvolved. day week mosphere. of events “Last year, Matt Meyers, senior brought to we were disthe staff and cussing how students by we wanted to do something the organization, the Bill different; something that we Grill hosted performances could get other groups inby Bare Naked Statues, Bevolved,” he explained. “There yond All Reason and League are so many talented groups, of Laughter. From Monday’s and SLU’s population is so opening night and Tuesday’s multi-faceted—it’s good to dance performances at the celebrate this diversity, so Simon Recreation Center, we pulled together as many to literature, comedy and stand-up on Wednesday, the three days of entertainment See “SAB” on Page 2 By MEREDYTH STAUNCH Associate News Editor

Questions about religion, gender and SLU’s identity as a Catholic Jesuit institution flared up at Wednesday’s SGA meeting when a proposed bill saw the Knights of Columbus — a Catholic organization exclusively for men — facing the prospect of losing their status as a CSO, or chartered student organization. The Senate chambers were unusually packed as members of the Knights of Columbus chapter — which boasts a total of 15 members, according to SLU groups— along with other concerned students showed up and spoke before the Senate to defend their organization’s right to remain chartered. The reason for resolution was to better accommodate CSO guidelines, which stipulate that CSOs are not permitted to discriminate on the basis of gender or religion. Membership of the Knights of Columbus, a nationwide fraternal order dating back to 1882, is open to males 18 years of age or older who are “practical (that is, practicing) Catholics,” ac-

Emma Carmody / The University News

SGA: Senators gather to debate the de-chartering of the Knights of Columbus. cording to their website. The CSO Guidebook states, “Any student organization that selects its membership upon the bases of restrictive clauses such as race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status will be considered operating in conflict with Uni-

versity policy.” In the end, efforts to defund the group were narrowly defeated in a 10-10 vote, with none abstaining (resolutions require a clear majority to pass). “A vote no would mean you don’t support us on this campus,” said sophomore Sean Pilcher, speaking on

behalf of the Knights. “The fact that Knights of Columbus pre-exists [SLU SGA] is a good reason for us to be grandfathered in. We didn’t change, the handbook did. We’ve been here for 74 years.” See “SGA” on Page 2

Catholics talk birth control alternatives By MEGAN HAMMOND News Editor

On Monday, April 24, SLU Catholic Studies presented their annual presentation and discussion of Natural Family Planning (NFP) to around 100 attendees. The topic of contraception has been debated lately on SLU’s campus and in the SGA chambers. On April 5, SGA passed a resolution recommending the Student Health Center increase access to birth control for students. Although it is the University administration’s choice, the topic is fostering conversation and discussion. For the third annual NFP night, SLU Catholic Studies held a panel of five speakers to help promote the Jesuit Catholic mission that focuses on glorifying each human person. They emphasized that artificial birth control does not give the inherent dignity due to every man and woman and can be harmful to relationships and women’s health. Some birth control can even act as an abortifacient.

Emma Carmody / The University News

NFP: A group of panelists from medical and religious fields share their experiences with natural family planning. NFP is limiting births by natural means, such as avoiding having sexual intercourse during a woman’s ovulation period, rather than using artificial methods such as medication or condoms. The five panelists were Troy and Emma Woytek, Dr.

Cara Buskmiller, Dr. Patrick Yeung and Megan Sustar. The Woytek’s explained their experiences practicing NFP in their marriage; Troy is a campus minister at Washington University in St. Louis and Emma is an attorney. Dr. Buskmiller

is a SLU Medical Resident in OB/GYN. She shared her expertise with NFP and gave a background of the process. Dr. Yeung is the Director of SLU Center for Endometriosis and Infertility Care and showed how NFP works and the benefits of it. Sustar

is an RN and Natural Family Planning Practitioner; she has personal experience with NFP and assists women going through it currently. In Dr. Buskmiller’s presentation, she said it is generally only possible for a woman to get pregnant

four to seven days out of a month. Inserting something between the working fertility of one person and another person is the definition of artificial means. NFP never puts up a barrier between the working processes of two people. The only compromise is abstaining from sex for a small number of days out of a month. According to Dr. Buskmiller, there is a different mindset in NFP couples; they are open to the thought of having children and participate in sexual intercourse knowing that a pregnancy could occur. She said a change of heart is required if an artificial barrier is used and fails. Instead of rejoicing while looking at the pregnancy test, couples can be disappointed because they were actively avoiding having a child. The Woyteks have been married for several years and have used NFP throughout their whole marriage. Troy said that his and Emma’s marriage has been enhanced See “NFP” on Page 2

INSIDE SCOOP:

ARTS

Flaming Lips burn the house down

Women’s Tennis fifth seed in A-10 tournament

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SPORTS

How social media affects dating Page 10

OPINION


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