Univ. Prez: Media Reports on Red Cross Ban 'Overstated'
by Jim Brown
April 23, 2004
(AgapePress) - The president of Western Oregon University is dismissing press reports that claimed the school was close to barring the Red Cross from conducting blood drives on campus.
Two Western Oregon students recently proposed a ban on special student funding to the Red Cross because of its donor policy which rejects blood from men who engage in homosexual sex. Fox News quoted student government leaders who felt the questions used to screen blood donors included one that was "homophobic" and had no place on campus -- even if it meant less blood would be available.
"There may be less blood in the blood supply, or we can continue to have a world full of hate and discrimination," one student senator told Fox.
However, by the time the resolution came to vote before the student senate, one of its proponents abstained and the other did not vote because she had already graduated. The student governing body voted 6-0 against the resolution.
University president Dr. Phil Conn says the media greatly overstated the situation. "Certainly the reports misread the situation here," he says.
"Our students are solid Oregon students; they come from families that are pretty much middle-of-the-road, traditional families [and] they're industrious and wholesome students," Conn continues. "I think they all realize the good work that Red Cross does. I think most contend that a concern for the purity or the safety of the blood supply is a high priority."
The university president says Red Cross blood drives will continue on campus. "The Red Cross has been coming to our campus as valued guests for blood drives for many years, I think since the [1960s] -- and that will continue.
"The Red Cross comes in in conjunction with our student health service [and also with] our residence hall system," he explains. "That will continue; and frankly, [it] has not been threatened from the outset."
Conn believes in an effort to be sensational, the media twisted the story to generate more discussion on the issue of homosexual marriage.
