A course at the University of Evansville partnered with a pro-abortion student group to produce a public event promoting abortion narratives, raising concerns about political activism within academic programs. The project, part of a credited class, featured student-produced monologues supporting abortion access.
The course is offered through the university’s “ChangeLab” program, which describes itself as combining academic credit with real-world community impact. One ChangeLab course titled “Reproductive Rights and Student Organizations” teamed up with the Intersectional Pro-Choice Assembly (UEIPCA) and the Menstrual Equity Club to host a performance called “Monologue A.” The university bulletin said the event aimed to highlight how reproductive rights policies “shape real lives.”
Students in the class were tasked with organizing the production, collecting anonymous abortion-related stories from the campus community and editing them into 12 spoken-word monologues. The event, held in early November, was framed as an advocacy effort. According to the class description, students sought to build support for organizations “that support reproductive freedom” and possibly connect with national groups in that space.
Critics argue this blurs the line between education and political activism. The term “reproductive freedom” is commonly associated with abortion advocacy groups, raising questions about whether the course promoted a one-sided view. There was no indication of a similar platform being offered to students who oppose abortion or support pro-life causes.
The university’s role in promoting or supporting this performance is also under scrutiny. The event was publicly promoted on official campus channels.
The course and its associated event highlight a broader national trend of academic institutions engaging directly in political or social advocacy, often without offering balanced perspectives on divisive issues.
