Discussion continued Sunday within the Student Association Senate whether to approve an abortion rights organization.

At last Sunday’s meeting, the group Advocates for Choice petitioned the SA Senate for recognition. Debate ensued over whether the group would be willing to re-classify itself as a political organization, as some senators were concerned that its classification as a social justice and advocacy group might make it eligible to receive SA funds.

Finding itself unable to come to a consensus, the Senate moved to postpone the vote until group President Alex Springer could return with more information.

Before voting on the matter, the Senate heard from Winnie Okafor, senior political science major. She came to voice her opinion that the group should not be recognized by the SA.

“At heart we all want to do what is right,” Okafor said. “But abortion is not the answer.”

Okafor spoke about her personal history with the issue of abortion rights, labeling herself an abortion survivor. She urged the Senate to consider the issue of balance of differing opinions when casting their votes.

Okafor is not aligned with any organization; she chose to voice her opinion after reading the Oct. 26 article in the Northern Star, she said.

Springer and Vice President Lettie Morgan were offered the opportunity to respond to Okafor and the Senate. Springer and Morgan pointed out that the SA recognized We Care for NIU, an anti-abortion group, as a community service organization.

Morgan also provided the Senate with a list of other organizations with arguably political leanings that are not classified as political organizations.

Springer and Morgan argued that because of this, Advocates for Choice should be allowed to remain classified as a social justice group.

“We’re just trying to balance the playing field,” Morgan said. “We feel that if a pro-life group has a voice, a pro-choice group should have a voice as well.”

Springer also pointed out that although they have an affiliation with Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Advocates for Choice is a student-run organization.

“While they help with the approval process, they are offering support more than anything,” Springer said.

Advocates for Choice was recognized by the SA with 15 votes of approval. Six senators voted against the group and three chose to abstain. Out of 34 senators, 10 senators were absent from the meeting.

The SA Senate also recognized three other organizations: Helping Hands, a group which aims to help charitable organizations by raising money and volunteer work; Alpha Epsilon Phi, a Jewish fraternity; and Global Medical Brigades, a student-run group that aids in providing medical care to third-world countries.

The senate also recognized two new senators. Houston Day and Kevin Daggett were both sworn in as Senators-at-large. This leaves six seats still vacant in the 40-seat senate.

Additionally, the SA is offering a free trip for students to attend NIU’s basketball game against Northwestern University on Nov. 13, said Elliot Echols, director of athletics and recreation. The SA will provide free tickets to the game and travel both ways to 330 students.

Jaclyn Curtis, director of governmental affairs, reported to the Senate progress on her work to establish a Web site about governmental affairs.

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.