A Statement on Abortion & Reproductive Care
Statement by the Executive Board of the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA)
University of Pennsylvania
August 3, 2022
On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health overturned Roe v. Wade, revoking the constitutional right to abortion and leaving abortion access to the discretion of individual states.
We, the Executive Board of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), acknowledge that this ruling, along with its implications and potential impacts, raises many concerns and anxiety for students and members of the Penn community. Restricting access to safe abortions will jeopardize a right to bodily autonomy, and adversely impact maternal mortality, maternal & infant health, and general mental well-being. Furthermore, the lack of safe and legal abortions will disproportionately impact underserved and marginalized populations who already have limited access to healthcare.
In light of this ruling, we highlight reproductive care services and support available to Penn students:
Wellness at Penn
Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), formerly known as Student Health Service and CAPS, offers clinical services to all Penn students:
For Medical services, students can go to 3535 Market Street, First Floor, and call 215-746-3535 (24/7)
Gynecologic Care: SHAC provides services such as gynecological care, contraception counseling & prescriptions, preventive care, and pregnancy testing & options counseling. Appointments for gynecological and reproductive care are confidential and available to Penn’s gender-diverse community
Contraception: SHAC provides many forms of contraceptives for birth control and menstrual regulation. Information about emergency contraception available at Penn and local pharmacies can be found here
For Counseling services, students can go to 3624 Market Street, First Floor West, and call 215-898-7021 (24/7)
Public Health and Wellbeing (formerly Campus Health) fosters a community of care through advocacy, education, and action. This includes disease surveillance and prevention, health education and promotion, campus health policies, and immunization and insurance compliance.
3535 Market Street, Suite 50
Immunization and Insurance Compliance: 215-746-4200
Public Health: 215-898-0300
Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania. Wellness at Penn’s information sheet on abortion and Philadelphia referrals can be found here.
We encourage those who are eligible to vote to make their voices heard in the upcoming elections as the election outcomes will be critical to our rights and our future. Once again we stand with the Penn community and beyond to advocate for and support access to safe, evidence-based reproductive care.