CV NEWS FEED // The Catholic University of America (CUA) has received an “A+” rating in an institute’s report that ranks it among the top U.S. higher education Christian schools engaged in pro-life initiatives on campus.
“We have a positive message that’s infused with love, and I think we can have the peace and the confidence that comes from working for a truly righteous cause,” said Jennie Bradley Lichter, the former deputy counsel for CUA’s Guadalupe Project, in an October 16 CUA news article by Matt Palmer regarding the ranking.
“If we remember those things and engage from that place, we as a University and as individuals can be effective messengers for the beauty and dignity of every human life, even in a divided culture,” Lichter added.
Students for Life of America (SFLA)’s Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement published a report earlier this fall on the pro-life records, or lack thereof, held by US-based higher ed schools that claim a Christian affiliation and faith-based founding. As CatholicVote previously reported, the institute gave each school a “grade” that ranged from “A+” to “F” depending on its pro-life record.
Out of the 732 schools in the review, 83 of them were found to have ties with Planned Parenthood or abortion support. The schools with four or more infractions related to pro-abortion support received an “F” rating.
On the converse, a total of 58 schools, including the Washington, D.C.-based CUA, merited an “A+” rating, meaning they not only had zero infractions but also actively promoted pro-life resources. A total of 591 schools on the list had an “A” rating.
According to Palmer, CUA’s Guadalupe Project started two years ago and aims to create a culture on campus that supports new families and expectant mothers, for students, faculty, and staff.
Lichter explained that the Project improved the quality of the school’s pregnancy resource book and put it online. This year, the school is also putting out small backpacks across campus that have engaging activities for children.
The school also offers maternity parking spaces, has invested in upgrading the wellness spaces for nursing mothers, and expanded paid parental leave for employees, Palmer reported. The school has started including diapers and wipes in its food pantry. Further, graduate students who are new parents can lean on academic accommodations highlighted in a recently implemented standardized policy.
Those interested in learning more about the Demetree Institute’s report can find further information here.