We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5
Wilson, Chis
From: My Janne
Sent Thursday, Apri 25, 2019 250 PM
To: Wison, Chie
Subject: For resent Bresconh
‘Attachments: Sigratoris pa Signatories doc It 1 sate spaces (003}docx
Please se attached an open letter to President Brescian from 89 North Dakota Legislators.
,
Senator anne Myrdal
North Dakota District 10
imrdalind.gov
1701 31 0946,
“The ultimate test of a moral society ihe kind of world tat it leaves tots children
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer) Bismarck, Apil 23% 2019,
We, the undersigned, write 0 express our displeasure and concem with North Dakola State
University’s (NDSU) continted public partnership wth Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North
Dakota, South Dakota (Plarned Parenthood).
‘The program at issue, entited “Safe Spaces,” purports to train K-12 teachers to be a “resource
for sexual health information.” White some of the topics addressed in the training raise
concerns and questions, tis primarily the very public partnership with Planned Parenthood that
causes the greatest concern,
‘While we respect the importance of academic freedom, NOSU's partnership with Planned
Parenthood inthis program raises several questions that need answers.
“The policy of North Dakotas to avoid the promotion of abortion and partnership with abortion
providers, Although Safe Spaces may not technically violate any statute, NDSU's close and very
public partnership with an abortion provider, particularly Planned Parenthood, violates the
intention of North Dakota toavoid even the appearance of legitimizing the abortion industry. Did
the program administrators at NDSU consider partnering with any oer organization on the
‘Safe Spaces program? If so, who were they and why were they considered insufficient? If not,
\why not? Did the administrators ever consider North Dakota law and policy about working wth
‘abortion providers when developing ths program?
‘Although research into teaching methods about sexual health may be a legitimate academic
‘exercise, we see no reason NDSU needs to be involved in providing classes around the state
fn this issue, particularly in garnership with Planned Parenthood. Moreover, we have received
1 incication from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction or the schoo! districts that
‘current teacher continuing education projects that do not use Planned Parenthood are
inadequate. Did any school district or public school in North Dakota request this program? If
‘which were they?
‘The Safe Spaces program is funded through a federal grant. Since this grant is received and.
sed by a state agency, wee ask for an accounting of how the money is used and whether
PPanned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakata, South Dakota receives any ofthe funding,
Also, did NDSU enter into any formal agreement with Planned Parenthood regarding the
Partnership, program mater, exchange of money or in-kind services, or use of names and
logos?
“The involvement uf NOSU with Plained Patented continues (raise wanes among
legislators and the general pubic. Legislators, in paricular, have an obligation to inquire about
the arrangement. At a minimum, NDSU should provide an accounting ofthe dollars used for
this program and answers to the questions posed above.
Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
