Recently an application submitted by a group of Marquette students to form VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood was denied by the university due to its promotion of pro-choice activism.

Those at other Jesuit universities say Marquette’s actions fall in line with how they have handled similar issues.

According to Tanya Winegard, associate dean of students at Creighton University, no formal application to form a pro-choice organization has ever been submitted, but there have been inquiries. Winegard said if such an application were ever submitted, it would most likely be denied.

“We would not be in support of an organization that goes against Catholic Church teachings,” she said. The university would take “the same stance that we would with a pro-death penalty group,” which also goes against Church teachings.

Martha Swanson, director of student organizations at Georgetown, said GU Choice was initially recognized by the university “on the basis of free speech and expression.” The group was meant to serve as a venue for abortion debate, but ended up only promoting pro-choice viewpoints, causing the university to no longer recognize it as an official organization.

“The university felt it was too difficult to separate the idea of talking about choice from abdicating choice,” Swanson said.

Georgetown students then formed H*yas for Choice. Students use an asterisk in place of the letter ‘O’ in the word Hoyas, Georgetown’s mascot, so they would still be associated with the university, Swanson said. The university also allows the group to utilize classroom space for meetings.

“We are very open to dialogue on campus, but if you are going to present a viewpoint that is contradictory to Catholic Church teachings, we encourage that the other perspective also be presented,” Winegard said.

Winegard said in order for an organization to receive funding, which is allocated by the Creighton Students Union, the university must officially recognize it.

At St. Louis University, organization applications are submitted to its student government, the Associated Students of St. Louis University Student Government Association, according to Kathy Humphrey, vice president for Student Development.

SLU senior Maria Rodriguez, who is the executive vice president of the SGA, said most likely their student senate would not approve a pro-choice organization.

“Our SGA, just like any student government, is open to students’ views,” Rodriguez said. “But being a private institution, it’s required that we draw the line at our Catholic heritage.

“Sometimes its hard to make decisions with both of those things in mind.”

While Loyola University New Orleans does not have experience with students attempting to form pro-choice groups, its Student Government Association has chartered organizations that to some might seem to conflict with Catholic teachings, said Jill Styx, assistant director for student activities at the university.

Styx said recently an organization called Friends of Magdalene, a group promoting the ordination of female priests, was approved by its SGA.

Whether or not a group is chartered depends on the ideological makeup of the SGA, Styx said.

Styx also said some students are currently trying to form a chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which could cause controversy if an application is submitted.

“If it comes to SGA, I’m sure it will be quite a debate,” she said.