Massachusetts
Background
Massachusetts became the second state to pass legislation related to abortion on campus in 2022. Using a replication of the CA bill, the Massachusetts legislature allocated funding for all public universities and community colleges to provide medication abortion on campus, and requires readiness plans to expand access to abortion on campus or supportive referrals off campus for abortion care, depending on the capacity of the campus (and whether or not they have a health center). Umass Amherst voluntarily implemented MAB on campus even before this funding was available, beginning in fall 2022.
Our Abortion on Campus – MA student advisory board consists of 23 students from across eleven different campuses. Umass Amherst and Salem State University are the two public universities that already provide medication abortion on campus and we expect more campuses to join them soon! Additionally, many private campuses are exploring this option for their student body, even without access to state funding, and we were able to include students at private colleges in this year’s organizing work for the first time. Northeastern University, a private school in Boston, will begin offering MAB on campus in spring 2025. Advocates for Youth offers students support on organizing their peers, political and medical education about medication abortion and introductions to on campus and local organizations focused on reproductive justice in Massachusetts.
What’s happening in MA now?
- 2 campuses have medication abortion services offered on campus
- 2 campuses are starting student abortion doula collectives
- 1 campus will be implementing medication abortion on campus in the spring
- 5 campuses are collaborating together on a plan for wraparound practical support in their region
- 2 campuses are in the process of meeting with their administration to discuss implementation
- 3 campuses are in touch with their health services about implementation
Students have also:
- Hosted tabling events, sharing information on abortion access and sharing free pro-abortion swag
- Created guides and toolkits regarding sexual and reproductive health resources on and off campus
- Held creative events to increase visibility and knowledge of abortion access
Abortion on Campus-MA Student Advisory Boards have included students from:
- Umass Amherst
- Umass Dartmouth
- Umass Boston
- Salem State University
- Framingham State University
- Mass College of Liberal Arts
- Mass College of Art and Design
- Westfield State
- Fitchburg State
- Worcester State
- Salem State University
- Smith College
- Mt. Holyoke College
- Amherst College
- Boston University
- Hampshire College
- Williams College
- Wheaton College
How to get involved
If you are already enrolled at one of the schools listed above, contact [email protected] or [email protected] to get in touch with the Student Advisory Board member(s) on your campus. If you’re enrolled at a school in Massachusetts that’s not listed above, sign up for YouthASC to learn about future opportunities to get involved on your campus or with nearby actions!