It is simple! Just come to ANY Meeting. Tell us you're new and we'll introduce you to the group. We love getting new members! Our meetings are held weekly during the academic year. Membership requires no monetary obligation and is open to all students, faculty, and staff of Saint Louis University regardless of race, creed, or political affiliation. Join us today and show our community that you are willing to defend the right to life! If you would like to be on our mailing list, drop us an email at sfl@slu.edu.
Meetings are held every Tuesday at 8:00 PM in Ritter Hall, Room 320. Bring a friend or your whole floor and get ready to defend the right to life! See you there! ↑
Students for Life is a fellowship committed to upholding the fundamental right to life on the campus of Saint Louis University. We follow the guidance of Catholic thought regarding the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. The Jesuit Mission of Saint Louis University calls us to discern prayerful, intellectual, and active means of building a culture of life that rejects the institution of abortion.
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Becoming a Chartered Student Organization in 1992, Students for Life has been not only a voice for the voiceless, but also a pro-active group dedicated to promoting a culture of life both in the SLU community and beyond. Through a variety of activities Students for Life has promoted the pro-life message and reached out to help those mothers who choose life for their child. ↑
The Cemetery of the Innocents - a week-long display of the daily effects of abortion in one of the most prominent locations on campus - is the cornerstone of Respect Life Week.
Each cross represents two abortions that are performed daily in the United States. As we put up the crosses, while they are displayed, and as we take them down, students frequently approach members of Students for Life and ask about the display. Some have even commented that they would reconsider their pro-abortion stance because of the dramatic display. ↑
West Pine Mall, stretching from one end of campus to the other, is the main route for students, faculty, and staff at Saint Louis University. In an effort to inform, educate, and engage the university community, Students for Life creates about 50 large stake signs during Respect Life Week and places them all along West Pine Mall. Information on the stakes range from fetal development facts to quotes by notable pro-life leaders to startling abortion statistics. ↑
Each residence hall floor on campus has at least two large bulletin boards in high traffic areas which are decorated by resident advisors to complement a floor theme or to advertise events. Students for Life teams up with resident advisors to take advantage of these highly visible boards during Respect Life Week. Students for Life members design and create a standard set of materials which include a schedule of events for Respect Life Week, fetal development facts, our Now What? Crisis Pregnancy Pamphlet, local crisis pregnancy information, and our Students for Life Group Information Pamphlet. The materials are packaged and delivered to more than 25 different resident advisors across campus who then use the template to create the board on their floor. We have learned from representatives at local crisis pregnancy centers that young women from SLU have used our information to find them. ↑
Easily one of our favorite programs during Respect Life Week, Project Baby Bottle has raised hundreds of dollars for local crisis pregnancy centers. Members of Students for Life carry bottles to their classes, around their residential floors, into the dining halls, and anywhere else they can scrounge up some change. At the end of the week, members are always amazed by how much we raise. ↑
Upwards of 1,000 students from across the university gather together for Mass every Sunday evening at 10:00pm in the College Church. The 10:00pm Mass is often dedicated as the first event of Respect Life Week. Not only are members of Students for Life gift bearers and collectors, but the upcoming week of events is previewed to the students in the weekly announcements near the end of Mass. ↑
Respect Life Week is directed towards not only students at Saint Louis University, but also those in the greater St. Louis community who need our help most. To culminate a successful week of events, members of Students for Life travel to crisis pregnancy centers like Our Lady's Inn to volunteer. Our Lady's Inn is an emergency shelter for pregnant women in crisis, helping them to choose life for their unborn child. While there, members play with the kids, wash the community vehicles, paint and varnish, and spend the day helping out any way they can. ↑
The traffic intersection of Grand Boulevard and Laclede Street is one of the busiest near campus. At the beginning or end of Respect Life Week, members of Students for Life courageously stand around the intersection for more than an hour with signs that say "Abortion Hurts Women". This day usually coincides with the national Life Chain day. ↑
Saint Louis University is fortunate in that not only is it surrounded by a number of other colleges and universities, but it's also located on the eastern edge of Missouri through which one must travel to arrive in Washington, D.C. Students for Life brings a wide range of students from Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-Columbia, and Truman State University. While in Washington, D.C. members of the Students for Life group tour the nation's capital; stay with host families from Gonzaga College High School and St. Peter Parish; attend a Pro-Life Conference and Mass at the National Shrine; and participate in the March for Life. The journey is long, but students consistently rank it as their favorite event of the year. ↑
In an effort to attract greater attention to the March and to talk with students about why we travel to Washington, D.C., Students for Life holds an exciting event at which we raffle off fun travel packs to bring on the long bus ride; provide snacks; display pictures of past trips; speak about the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision; and send a lucky student on the March for free! ↑
Students for Life established this massive event in Spring 2007 and has since improved upon it. The proceeds first went towards the following local crisis pregnancy centers: Our Lady's Inn, Birthright, and the Pregnancy Resource Center. They now go towards the Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance, a fund the group is building for pregnant and parenting SLU students. Members call donors, fundraise, lay out the 5K course, rent timing equipment, and order t-shirts. They also develop an online registration system and distribute awards after the always successful run and walk. So far, Students for Life has raised over $4,400 with this event. ↑
Since the completion of the great Chaifetz Arena, Students for Life has worked many concerts, games, and other events. We have already raised over a thousand dollars and are grateful for this wonderful source of fundraising!
When there's a big outdoor event on campus, Students for Life provides funnel cakes and nachos when possible. A core group of members works throughout the evening beneath the Students for Life tent to answer the usually large demand. This fundraiser is quite successful, and it's a lot of fun! ↑
Students for Life assembled its first Relay for Life team in 2007 with nearly ten participants. Students for Life Relayers get their own tent, run around the track throughout the night, and raise money for cancer research and the American Cancer Society. ↑
Information tables are one of the most important things we do as a pro-life organization on a college campus. Our mission is to inform, educate, and engage students on pro-life issues, and there is no better place to do that than in the heart of a student center or main traffic-way on campus. Identity is important to any college organization, but especially to a pro-life organization that wants to touch as many students, faculty, and staff members as possible. Students for Life has made a logo, table banner, information to pass out, and t-shirts to identify ourselves and our message around campus. We pass out literature, speak with students, and recruit new members. We try to have a table somewhere on campus at least once a month, and during Respect Life Week we table almost every day. We believe that we can promote a culture of life at Saint Louis University, and we also believe that all it takes is one encounter to change a life forever. Information tables are critical to Students for Life for the promotion of a culture of life. ↑
The first information pamphlet ever created by Students for Life at Saint Louis University, it explains the mission and philosophy of the organization, along with important information about membership, leadership, and meetings. It is used at information tables, given to interested members, and provided to members upon joining the organization. ↑
Recognizing a lack of information for students who might find themselves in a crisis pregnancy, Students for Life created the crisis pregnancy pamphlet to be distributed at Saint Louis University. The pamphlet was given to the health and counseling center and is displayed at all of our information tables. ↑
Once or twice a year, Students for Life distributes a powerful pro-life publication in a highly marketable, student-friendly format. Solid pro-life information challenges students to reconsider their ideas about abortion, sex, and the humanity of the unborn. The group stuffs about 3,000 student mailboxes with these publications. ↑
The Baby Shower at Our Lady's Inn is one of the more anticipated events of the year. A small committee of members plans the event for about 20 women. They seek donations from restaurants, local spas, and students on campus; collect items from various locations on campus; and purchase wonderful items for the to-be mothers. Cake and other refreshments are provided while members play with the mothers' kids in the basement. ↑
There is no better way to celebrate than a party, so Students for Life decided to throw an informal baby shower that required attendees to bring at least one baby item for donation. We provided light refreshments, showed our baby items, and donated all of them to Birthright St. Louis. ↑
An annual event at Saint Louis University, Make A Difference Day is a national day of service and the largest community service effort in the nation. Students at Saint Louis University are placed at various volunteer sights throughout the area in an effort to foster growth in and commitment to the surrounding community. Students for Life has volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul and Our Lady's Inn. ↑
In April Students for Life members participate in the Special Olympics Spring Games at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri. Each of our members is matched with a Special Olympics participant from a group of runners. Members escort them to different activities, cheer them at their events, eat lunch with them, and provide them with a buddy throughout the day. ↑
Students for Life of America named us national "Group of the Year" at the SFLA Conference at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. for our large and dedicated base of student involvement, as well as for implementing many pro-life initiatives. We were grateful to receive $1,000 for the award.
A Special Message from SLU's President, Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
Congratulations to Students for Life: Last month one of our largest and most active student groups was recognized with a national award for its inspirational and dutiful work in spreading the message of the sanctity of life.
SLU's Students for Life group was recognized as the "Group of the Year" during the Students for Life of America Conference at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Our Students for Life members were honored for their dedication to the pro-life movement and implementation of pro-life student initiatives.
I think I speak for many members of the campus community when I say how proud I am of the Students for Life and their work. The Right to Life week, held annually in the fall, is one of the most insightful and comprehensive events held on campus. And the group's establishment of the Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance Fund shows a deep commitment and care for others we hope to see from all students as well as a true dedication to the pro-life movement.
I congratulate Students for Life on this latest award and continue to applaud members' impassioned and respectful commitment to spreading their message.
At a time of so much stress for so many people, we can all be encouraged by the good works and commitment to SLU and our Jesuit mission by all in our University community. Together we are strong. Let us be committed to one another. Let us pray that better days will be ahead for each of us.
The Division of Student Development Leadership and Service at Saint Louis University honored Students for Life with the 2006-2007 Outstanding Organization Award in April. Executive Board members were invited to a banquet in the Busch Student Center where they were presented with the award.
Georgetown University Right to Life honored Students for Life with the Second Annual Evangelium Vitae Award for leadership and excellence in college pro-life activities. They presented the award at the 2007 Cardinal O'Connor Conference on Life in January. The award included $1000 to help us continue exemplifying Cardinal O'Connor's ideals and vision.
At the end of October 2006, the Student Government Association honored Students for Life as the Organization of the Week for our efforts during Respect Life Week. The award included a reflection that Students for Life was "one of the most active, if not the most active, organizations on campus right now." ↑
Students for Life March on Washington
Be Smart During Spring Break
Taking a Look at Pro-Life From a Different Perspective
Pro-Life Feminist Speaker Promotes Better Support for Pregnant College Students
Burke's Speech Kicks-Off Celebrate Life Week
Pro-Life Students Visit Senate
November's Victory for the Right to Life
SLU Students 'Celebrate Life'
Students March for Rights for the Unborn
Abortion Debate: The Conflict of "Rights"
SLU Students, Faculty attend March for Life
Students and faculty will depart on Saturday for Pro-life March
Students for Life set to March
Students for Life Schedules Week of Celebration
Students March in DC for Pro-Life Beliefs
Students for Life Members Protest Hampton Execution in Potosi, MO
SLU Students Join March for Life, Celebrate Life
National Life Chain Demonstration Peacefully Supports Pro-Life Issues
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Record Number of Students to Attend Thursday's Annual March for Life
St. Louis Sends Nearly 2,000 to D.C Life March
"Meet Me in St. Louis"
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