Notre Dame students criticize the hiring of a pro-abortion professor

Notre Dame Students Express Concern Over Abortion Supporter’s Appointment

Students at the University of Notre Dame have voiced their concerns regarding the recent appointment of a professor known for her support of abortion as the director of the Lew Institute for Asian Studies. This decision has sparked disappointment and anger among the student body.

“As a Notre Dame student, I feel betrayed,” said Lucy Spence, a junior at the university. John McGreevey, the university’s president, expressed a similar sentiment, stating, “But as a female student, I feel angry.” He had previously indicated that hiring women would be a priority, yet students perceive this appointment as a significant contradiction to that promise.

The announcement came last month, revealing that Susan Osterman, who previously became a Professor of International Affairs in 2017, would be taking the lead at the Liu Institute. Osterman has published works that openly advocate for abortion.

In 2022, she co-authored an article claiming that “lies about abortion have defined our health care policy.” The authors argued that the majority of abortions happen early in pregnancy when what is present is only a blastocyst or embryo—too small to be seen via ultrasound. They further contended that abortion doesn’t lead to cancer and that many individuals feel relief rather than regret following the procedure. They also stated that medication abortions are typically safer than some common over-the-counter medications.

Moreover, Osterman and her co-author pointed out that criminalizing abortion can inflict lasting harm by creating more adverse situations than it resolves. They argue that access to abortion is essential for women’s autonomy and dignity.

Spence, who serves as the editor-in-chief of the Irish Rover, a conservative student newspaper, expressed her worries about McGreevey’s role in this decision. “It’s troubling to support a professor who has largely promoted the damaging notion that women can dispose of their children,” she remarked. “The assertion that most feel relieved after an abortion is questionable, and referring to crisis pregnancy centers as ‘propaganda sites’ raises additional concerns.”

Another student, Anna Kelly, noted that the concerns about Osterman’s appointment were also articulated in a letter from Notre Dame’s Right to Life Executive Committee, which she is part of. The letter critiques Osterman’s public advocacy for policies that contradict Catholic Church teachings on the sanctity of life.

The letter claimed that Osterman’s actions reflected an incendiary approach to abortion, citing her involvement with the Population Council and its association with controversial policies, such as those in China. This involvement led to further claims that she was unfit for the position at the Liu Institute.

Bill Dempsey, president of the Sycamore Trust, shared similar sentiments, describing Osterman’s promotion as a serious misstep for the university. “Promoting Notre Dame’s most notable abortion advocate compromises the university’s mission,” he stated.