The Student Federation allocated $2,000 for March for Life on Nov. 1.
The decision sparked debate among Student Fed representatives, raising the question of what Student Fed’s goals should be and which campus groups it should be funding.
All proposals for funds go first to the Student Fed finance committee, and, if accepted, the proposal goes before the rest of Student Fed for an official vote.
Junior Viktor Rozsa, member of the finance committee, said that there was some debate about giving the money to March for Life to pray and protest in D.C. Hillsdale College prohibits protests on campus because they will disrupt campus life.
“It’s more of a pilgrimage than a protest,” said senior Jordan Adams, president of Students For Life and an organizer of the D.C. trip. “Our group is taking a solemn approach to it. We are calm and purposeful.”
Rozsa said the debate was over whether or not Student Fed should give money to groups with specific moral agendas.
“The question is should Student Fed take a moral stand or just allocate funds based on improving student life?” said senior Alex Meregaglia, finance committee member.
Adams said that part of a student’s education is outside of the classroom, taking what he has learned in the classroom and combining that with a “social and metaphysical spiritual aspect of life in sacrifice,” which Adams said, “is part of being human.”
The March for Life, he said, is part of that education.
Last year about 150 students attended the march – about 10 percent of the student body.
“Just because it is off campus doesn’t mean it has nothing to do with college life,” Adams said.
In the end, Student Fed decided to grant the money to March For Life – with one condition. If any pro-choice group requested money to attend an off-campus demonstration, they would have to approve money for them as well.