Now that there is no federal right to abortion, we urge young people thinking of pursuing their higher education in another state to arm themselves with information about the reproductive choices available there. The most prominent universities in these states draw over 50% of students from out of state. High school seniors may not be old enough to vote with a ballot but they can vote with their feet. If their school of choice is located in a state that bans or severely restricts abortion we urge young people to loudly and visibly demand state legislatures to vote to ensure reproductive healthcare and women's right to choose.

 

The laws regarding abortion laws by state can be found here: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/abortion-laws-by-state/
 
Consider these percentages of out of state students representing billions of dollars of revenue:

 

• • Vanderbilt: 90.67%

  • University of Washington, St. Louis: 90% 

  • Tulane: 83.51% 

  • Emory: 82.06%

  • Miami of Ohio: 63.31%

  • University of Miami: 63%

  • Texas A&M: 58%

  • University of Mississippi “Ole Miss”: 56.85%

  • University of Arizona: 55%

  • Rice University 50% and 13% international (US is now one of just 24 countries to restrict abortion, so international students are another group that may avoid these schools)

  • University of Michigan: 50%

  • Ohio State: 35%

  • University of Wisconsin: 35%

  • Indiana University 30%

 

Another key leverage point is alumni. Alumni can actively call on state legislatures to uphold reproductive rights under threat of withheld donations and diminished prestige. 
 
Students:

 

• When considering where to attend college, factor in whether a state protects your reproductive rights.

• Educate yourself about abortion and contraceptive access in the states where you are applying. Can you access abortion services in the state? Can you access Plan B? What legal risks would you face if you traveled home for help?

• Tell your college advisors and universities that your reproductive freedom and safety are major factors in your decision of where to pursue higher education.

• If you are already at college in a state that now bans abortion, you still have the choice to speak out. You have power!

 

Parents:

 

• Educate yourself about abortion and contraceptive access in the states where your child is applying. What if your child becomes pregnant accidentally or is raped? Is Plan B legal? Will the state’s law ban birth control pills and IUDs? Is emergency medical care in the state being complicated by the law?  What happens if your child has an ectopic pregnancy? Or a miscarriage?

• Educate yourself about the legal risks that you and your child might face.  How would vigilante laws affect your child if she comes home for an abortion? What kind of legal and financial risks would you face?

• Does your child hope to be a doctor? What kind of training and education will s/he receive?

• Abortion being illegal impacts our sons too, both psychologically and legally. What legal risks will your son face if he helps a friend? 

• What will faculty look like in states where women cannot make their own reproductive choices? Will the best professors want to live there?
   

Alumni:

 

• You had a wonderful experience receiving an incredible education at a great institution. Yet now, because that institution is located in a state hostile to a woman’s right to choose, current and future students won’t have the same freedom and opportunities that you had at your alma mater.

• Contact your alumni association and speak up. You have the power to make a difference.

• Alumni donations are a powerful pressure point. Consider one of the following:​

  • Redirect donations to an organization that supports choice in your alma mater’s state.

  • Earmark your donation to be used only to enable students to travel out of state for abortion and reproductive care.