A DePaul student organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood alleges the school has booted the group from campus because of its ties to an abortion provider.
Planned Parenthood Generation Action DePaul University chapter, known as PPGenAction DePaul, was told June 3 to disband and cease all operations and events during a meeting with university officials.
The group says DePaul did not cite any school policies or procedures in their decision. PPGenAction DePaul formed during the 2022-2023 school year to provide students with sexual health information and resources.
“It is disappointing to see a campus that prioritizes social justice removing groups doing the work they uplift in their classrooms in such a manner,” Maya Roman, PPGenAction DePaul president, said in a statement. “It was made clear that we have not broken any rules or policies and it was solely our affiliation with Planned Parenthood that resulted in our disbandment.”
In a statement, a DePaul spokesperson said the university does not allow student groups to affiliate with outside organizations “whose core missions are in direct conflict with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. Planned Parenthood falls into this category.”
“We remain committed to supporting student-led dialogue on important issues, including reproductive health,” the spokesperson added.
Only the organization’s student leaders and faculty advisers were called in for the “organizational status meeting” on June 3 with the university, PPGenAction DePaul said.
During the meeting, the students tried explaining that the organization is affiliated with Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, the political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, which does not provide abortions. But that didn’t make a difference. The university told the students the group would only be able to continue if it removes all affiliation with Planned Parenthood or any other abortion provider.
“We fully cooperated with DePaul administration’s ever changing goal posts and adhered to its mission statement that prioritizes our intersectional movement, Vincentian and reproductive justice values,” Roman said. “Our chapter being evicted is a great disservice to the health and wellness of the DePaul and Chicago communities.”
The organization is holding a town hall at 11:30 a.m. Friday, both in person at the Lincoln Park Chicago Public Library branch and virtually on Zoom.
The group’s campus activities included workshops on activism and social justice, a discussion on sexual assault awareness and other smaller events like craft nights and discussions about gender identity.