I would like to take this opportunity to give a response to two recent Viewpoints concerning pregnancy services for students. The first Viewpoint, written by Thomas Jensen on Feb. 1 claimed that Marquette should offer more services to students who become pregnant. A response by Jennifer Meyer on Feb. 22 expressed disappointment in Jensen's lack of research behind his words. She also said that there are resources out there for women so that they do not have to make the choice between having a baby and going to school.

I would first like to say, as a women on campus and as one concerned that we are offering pregnant students enough support, it is great to see that Meyer was able to find the support and resources she needed during and after her pregnancy.

While Meyer did a wonderful job seeking out help, and not needing services from Marquette, I wonder if all women who are students right now (who have either been pregnant or are pregnant) are finding the same answers and the same support.

What I, along with University Ministry and other fellow students, have been wondering and exploring for a couple months is — can Marquette do more to help those who are pregnant on our campus? Is there a need for a more comprehensive and visible program on this campus to help women who are pregnant? Is there a way that we can work with community resources, like WIC, The Hope Network, etc. to allow our students the best support possible, based on their individual needs and situations?

With that, I would like to invite all women who have a concern, suggestion or need, to come talk with University Ministry. Currently, University Ministry, along with other services at Marquette offer these things for students: personal counseling, referral resources to outside community agencies, and academic referral resources.

Please, call Ann Mulgrew in University Ministry at 288-6873 about how one finds these resources, how they can help you contact certain organizations and most importantly to tell her what else we can do to help you if you are pregnant. Or, for women like Jennifer Meyer, let her know what else the university could have provided for you when you were pregnant and attending classes here at Marquette.

The last thing anyone wants is for a woman who becomes pregnant to lose hope and to feel she has nowhere to turn. We want to help in anyway we can.

Katie Line is a senior social welfare and justice major.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Mar. 3 2005.