Constitution

      I.            Name: Students for Life at Saint Louis University

  II.            Mission Statement:

Students for Life at Saint Louis University is an organization committed to upholding the fundamental right to life on the campus of Saint Louis University. Students for Life follows 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 members of Students for Life to discern prayerful, intellectual and active means of building a culture of life that rejects the institution of abortion.

III.            Philosophy:

Students for Life at Saint Louis University holds the position that human life exists from conception until natural death; that all human beings have the right to life regardless of age, health, function, condition of dependency, or crimes committed, including the unborn from the moment of conception; that the right to life is the first right of a human being and the condition of all other rights; that the right of all human beings to life, though it exists antecedent to its recognition, demands recognition; and that to refuse the right of all human beings to life is strictly unjust.

IV.            Goals:

Realizing that study, thought, and deliberation must precede prudent action, Students for Life at Saint Louis University provides its members with an educational forum in which to investigate issues involving the right of all human beings to life, with a primary focus on the injustice of induced abortion.  With special emphasis on reaching the Saint Louis University and surrounding community, Students for Life at Saint Louis University also provides educational and other positive programs of service, which support the right to life of all human beings.  The group will annually participate in the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., to serve as a witness to the injustice of abortion.

    V.            Structure:

                             A.            Members: Membership in Students for Life at Saint Louis University is open to all students and alumni of Saint Louis University. No person may be denied membership or be discriminated against due to race, color, political or religious beliefs, sex, or ethnic origin. Members participate in Students for Life at Saint Louis University according to the By-Laws.

                             B.            Students for Life Officers: Officers of Students for Life as Saint Louis University are one President, one Vice President of External Affairs, one Vice President of Internal Affairs, one Treasurer, and one Secretary. Officers are students attending Saint Louis University and are characterized by their leadership abilities and their informed support of the right of all human beings to life. Officers perform their duties according to the By-Laws. Their term of office is one school year and begins after the last day of the school year they are elected and runs through the end of the following school year. Officers’ duties are defined in the By-Laws. Officers are elected in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws.

                             C.            Chairpersons: Students for Life has the following chair positions. Respect Life Week Chairperson, March for Life Chairperson, Run for Their Lives Chairperson, Webmaster and Heartbeat. The chair positions are defined in the By-Laws. Chairpersons are elected in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws.

                             D.            Committees: Students for Life has a standing Assistance Fund committee. The Assistance Fund committee is defined in the By-Laws. Members are elected in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws.

                              E.            Chair positions and committees may be created by the Officers on an as needed basis.