A group of approximately 200 Tulane University faculty and staff members sought signatures Wednesday on a petition demanding the school respond to last month’s landmark reversal of Roe v. Wade. 

The petition will be the group’s second request to Tulane’s administration. They previously sent a request on May 17, before the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision was finalized, asking for clarity on how the university would respond if Roe v. Wade was overturned. 

Provost Robin Forman responded to that request, saying the university had two working groups focused on the possibility of the decision and the effect it would have on Tulane. 

Now, the group is poised to demand action again. They are currently collecting signatures on a second request that will be sent to administration July 20. 

In that request, they urge Tulane to “unequivocally communicate” support of reproductive autonomy and abortion as a “crucial component” of healthcare. 

They also ask for answers to a series of questions following the Dobbs decision. Those include issues of pregnant students and employees, sex education and legal issues in the event that a Tulane employee or student is subject to criminal investigation related to abortion. 

“The call to respond to the Dobbs decision is not only a call to support the reproductive health of women, girls, and people who can become pregnant, but a call for the University to make an explicit, systematic, and intentional effort to address the intersecting issues of sexism, racism, classism and homophobia on campus more broadly,” the latest request said. 

It had 289 signatures by Wednesday evening. 

In the May response, Forman emphasized the university’s commitment to respect all viewpoints. 

“As a university community, we support the free exchange of ideas and opinions and the free expression of views with respect for others,” Forman said. “We encourage members of the Tulane community to become civically engaged on this matter and to make sure their views, voices and expertise are part of this national discussion.”