I would like to express my concern over a certain aspect of Saint Louis University’s “Catholic teaching” approacthat recently came to my attention. Two weeks ago (April 11, 2007), I attended an “STD Awareness Forum” sponsored, and given by, SLU nursing students at the old Quotations Coffeehouse. The event covered topics like Chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and HIV/AIDS. The presentation itself was very informative, with a detailed description of each sexually transmitted disease discussed, as well as preventative measures an individual could take in order to avoid being infected with any such STD, which included the use of condoms, as well as abstinence.

However, during the Q&A portion of the event, a student sitting behind me asked a question pertaining to the use of birth control (e.g. the pill). Before any of the five nursing students could have the chance to answer, a female student with the group interjected, and stated that, since SLU is a Catholic school, they (the five nursing students) were not allowed to answer such a question … but Planned Parenthood could answer that question. Though I regret immediately questioning that statement, I was however profoundly irate at the fact that SLU would apparently censure its nursing students as to what they could and could not say regarding pregnancy prevention or the use of birth control in general. Also of note was that the female who interjected seemed to have no affiliation with the five nursing students.

First and foremost, it is amazing that, of all academic fields offered at this University, it is the nursing program, a program that deals specifically with one’s physical and emotional well-being, that would be censored in such a manner. Let’s be honest. College kids, even here at SLU, are having sex. And I’m sure a lot of them would much rather use birth control at this point in their lives. I certainly hope SLUCare does not follow its academic predecessor, and also restrict information to those seeking treatment at SLU Hospital.

My second point deals specifically with this so-called “Catholic” approach to the SLU curriculum. I understand that this University, eventually after 1818, aligned itself to the Society of Jesus and thus, the school offers a wide range of religious and philosophical courses to supplement a traditional Catholic education. However, considering the fact that SLU’s counsel and administration have recently argued in court that, while our University is controlled by the Catholic Church, we do not operate under a “religious creed,” and could essentially call ourselves a secular institution, therefore allowing SLU to use the Tax Increment Funds (public money) in question for the construction of the Chaifetz Arena (as it was argued at the Missouri Supreme Court). In light of this revelation, it would seem the curriculum at SLU is operating under a double standard. I guess I took those combined 18 credit hours worth of theology and philosophy for nothing. And where does this leave the nursing curriculum?

I suppose it bothered me most because the nursing students were able to talk about the use of condoms (whether or not the female forgot to interject, I don’t know), while also adamantly encouraging abstinence as the best form of protection, or at least being in a monogamous relationship. Why were they able to talk about condoms and not the pill? Why even have forums about sexually transmitted diseases if you don’t want people to have sex?

I’m about to graduate from this institution, which has honestly been a great adventure for me in more ways than one. The fun I’ve had and the people I’ve met will never be forgotten, and this University is the reason it all happened to me, which I am extremely grateful for.

I do wish, though, that the school’s administration would take the initiative to better inform the students about what it means to be a student here, and not confuse us with different rhetoric via various communication outlets. Sure, the knowledge I’ve received here has touched my life, but instances such as these make me seriously question exactly how the men and women of SLU are helping others.

Jin Tsuchiya is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.