RUS to Consider Starting Loan Fund for Abortions

The Radcliffe Union of Students may grant loans to women who need abortions.

Janet M. Edwards '72, newly-elected president of the RUS, said Tuesday night that "RUS is considering using some of its money for abortion loans and education."

Radcliffe President Mary I. Bunting said last night that she had not heard of the idea, but added: "I don't see anything wrong with it. It's a problem with some people, and if they can work something out, that would be fine."

The money for such a fund would come from the RUS Treasury, which presently contains $15,000, of which $5000 is from dues collected this year. Each Radcliffe student is charged $10 on her term bill to cover RUS dues.

Fast Action

Edwards said that the proposal could go into effect within "one or two months."

Last week, the student senate at the University of Maine established a fund for abortions to needy students. Edwards said that a student who had read about the Maine fund had suggested the idea to her during the recent RUS elections.

Only clinical abortions are legal in Massachusetts. However, Kathy Allen, a Cambridge attorney and legal consultant to the Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination, said last night that "it is clear that this kind of fund is legal in Massachusetts right now." She said it would be legal to fund non-clinical abortions performed in New York.

Legally Recognized

"If a private organization wants to set up a fund for an abortion in another state, there's nothing the state can do about it. You can also set up a fund for abortions in this state, assuming the abortions are of the legally recognized, therapeutic variety," she said.

Edwards said that the Executive Board of RUS would first discuss the idea among themselves and "with thepeople in the Houses as much as possible." The Board would then go to the Radcliffe Joint Committee which consists of students, administration officials, the president of the alumnae association and members of the College Council and the Board of Trustees. The Joint Committee, Edwards said, is primarily "a discussion group."

Three-Month Trial

She said that the final decision rested with the RUS Executive Board, however. The plan, if put into effect, would be in force for three months. At the end of that period, it could be brought before a board of review by a dean, Senior Tutor or Master. The board consists of President Bunting, one trustee, one dean and one House Resident as well as four students. The Chairman of the Board is the President of RUS, who votes only in the event of a tie.

"The Review Board evaluates it and reports to the College Council, which may then veto the program," Edwards said.

In other developments, Edwards said that the RUS "has to work in some way that the faculty can respond to" to increase the number of women at Radcliffe. "They can't make all the Harvard Houses co-ed unless there are enough women to make them noticeable," she said.

She noted that if all the Harvard Houses were co-ed now, there would be only 50 women in each House. "And that's not enough," she said. "Meanwhile, the Radcliffe quad would be all freshman women and upper-class men."

Need, Not Desire

"It's not just a question of the desire of men to have women around, but the need of women to have other women around," she added.

RUS is also considering a program to help cover the costs of day care for children of University employees. Edwards noted that the cost at centers located in Currier House and the Radcliffe gym is $30 per week for full-day supervision.

Initial reaction to the abortion proposal seemed generally favorable. Esther Dyson '71 commented, "If your school is supposed to be in loco parentis, then this is one area in which it can make itself useful."

Other Ways

Judy F. Kaufer '73 said of the proposal, "I think it's a really good idea. There are girls who would really appreciate that money. If, however, that money is available through other agencies, then there might be other ways to use RUS's money."

A note of dissent was heard from at least one student. Claire Du Charme '73 said: "I don't like it. I don't think it's right to take a human life." She said she felt that a loan program would lead to a careless attitude toward abortion.