The University of Idaho is prohibiting staff from promoting or providing abortion services while performing their jobs, warning they could be fired or face misdemeanor or felony convictions if they do, according to an email reportedly sent to staff.
banning nearly all abortions in the state, with the exception of abortions necessary to preserve the life of the mother.
Staff will be allowed to direct students to sources of information outside the university and hold classroom discussions on topics related to abortion "when limited to discussions and topics relevant to the class subject," according to the memo released by the Idaho Press. While academic freedom allows classroom discussions on topics related to abortion, it does not protect against violations of state laws that prohibit promoting abortion, according to the Idaho Press memo.
Any university employee wishing to counsel, promote or advocate in favor of abortion is required to do so outside of the performance of their job duties and without use of any university resources, the memo said.