Off-campus blood drives restricted
Kimberly Tsao
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: News
Blood banks have been banned from SJSU's campus for violating the school's nondiscrimination policy - a policy that protects the gay men who are not allowed to donate blood. The ban, however, is not without its loopholes.
Although students can't hold off-campus blood drives with organizations affiliated with SJSU, they can hold drives as unaffiliated volunteers.
"I think that's a good idea," said Teresa Schiller, a senior communication studies major, said in reference to the blood drive ban. "We're taking a stand against discrimination."
Dominic Fass, president of Tau Delta Phi, said the fraternity was setting up a blood drive for February. President Kassing's ban put a dent in its plans - until now.
Students from that fraternity are holding a blood drive at Grace Baptist Church today from 2 to 7 p.m. It's located across the street from campus on 10th and San Fernando streets.
In compliance with the ban, the fraternity had to organize the blood drive off campus and not as Tau Delta Phi, but as individuals or volunteers because the fraternity is an SJSU organization. Fass said the fraternity's adviser, Brian Taylor, was notified by Student Involvement last week.
"I think ultimately it's up to the person's decision if they want to or not give blood," said Valerie Reyes, a junior nursing major. "No one should put a ban on anyone's right to do what they want to do."
Members of the fraternity promoted the blood drive at the tables outside the Student Union on March 12. Fass said 60 people signed up, but walk-ins are welcome.
Andrew Matau, a senior computer engineering major, said he hadn't heard about it.
"I would put fliers in the dorms," said Kimberly Uweh, a freshman chemistry major.
Sarah Ligda, a graduate experimental psychology major, said that if the blood drive wasn't on midterm week, "It would probably help, like, the response rate."
"I would if I had the opportunity to," she said. "I'm a grad student so I'm pretty busy."
Fass said his fraternity won't be holding anymore blood drives until Kassing lifts the ban.
One blood bank, though, is still banking on students. Michele Hyndman, the Stanford Blood Center's PR Manager, said in an interview last month that the center will hold blood drives near SJSU.
"We know that convenience is a major factor in students' decisions to donate blood," Hyndman said. "We hope that that the inconvenience of having to go further to reach a blood drive does not impact the local blood supply."
She said about 300 people donate blood every year at SJSU blood drive.
Related Stories:
March 13, 2008: Opinion: She took a seat; He took a stand
March 12, 2008: Two San Jose JCs suspend blood drives
March 11, 2008: S.J. colleges may ban blood drives
Feb. 25, 2008: Kassing requests FDA to meet about blood drives
Feb. 18, 2008: Board slams FDA policy
Feb. 14, 2008: Campus Voices: Do you agree with SJSU's ban on blood drives?
Feb. 13, 2008: University stands alone in blood policy
Feb. 13, 2008: President fields questions from campus media
Feb. 13, 2008: Opinion: Making sense out of blood drive nonsense
Feb. 12, 2008: Controversy no longer local
Feb. 7, 2008: Plot thickens in wake of blood drive suspension
Feb. 7, 2008: Where to donate blood off campus
Feb. 7, 2008: Opinion: This Queer Life: Bad Blood
Feb. 4, 2008: President halts blood drives; policy questioned
Feb. 4, 2008: Opinion: Making a deadly situation worse
Jan. 30, 2008: Blood drives stopped
Poll: Do you agree with SJSU's blood drive ban?
Other Links:
Jan. 29 Letter from President Kassing
Other links from the President's office
Feb. 21 Letter from President Kassing
Although students can't hold off-campus blood drives with organizations affiliated with SJSU, they can hold drives as unaffiliated volunteers.
"I think that's a good idea," said Teresa Schiller, a senior communication studies major, said in reference to the blood drive ban. "We're taking a stand against discrimination."
Dominic Fass, president of Tau Delta Phi, said the fraternity was setting up a blood drive for February. President Kassing's ban put a dent in its plans - until now.
Students from that fraternity are holding a blood drive at Grace Baptist Church today from 2 to 7 p.m. It's located across the street from campus on 10th and San Fernando streets.
In compliance with the ban, the fraternity had to organize the blood drive off campus and not as Tau Delta Phi, but as individuals or volunteers because the fraternity is an SJSU organization. Fass said the fraternity's adviser, Brian Taylor, was notified by Student Involvement last week.
"I think ultimately it's up to the person's decision if they want to or not give blood," said Valerie Reyes, a junior nursing major. "No one should put a ban on anyone's right to do what they want to do."
Members of the fraternity promoted the blood drive at the tables outside the Student Union on March 12. Fass said 60 people signed up, but walk-ins are welcome.
Andrew Matau, a senior computer engineering major, said he hadn't heard about it.
"I would put fliers in the dorms," said Kimberly Uweh, a freshman chemistry major.
Sarah Ligda, a graduate experimental psychology major, said that if the blood drive wasn't on midterm week, "It would probably help, like, the response rate."
"I would if I had the opportunity to," she said. "I'm a grad student so I'm pretty busy."
Fass said his fraternity won't be holding anymore blood drives until Kassing lifts the ban.
One blood bank, though, is still banking on students. Michele Hyndman, the Stanford Blood Center's PR Manager, said in an interview last month that the center will hold blood drives near SJSU.
"We know that convenience is a major factor in students' decisions to donate blood," Hyndman said. "We hope that that the inconvenience of having to go further to reach a blood drive does not impact the local blood supply."
She said about 300 people donate blood every year at SJSU blood drive.
Related Stories:
March 13, 2008: Opinion: She took a seat; He took a stand
March 12, 2008: Two San Jose JCs suspend blood drives
March 11, 2008: S.J. colleges may ban blood drives
Feb. 25, 2008: Kassing requests FDA to meet about blood drives
Feb. 18, 2008: Board slams FDA policy
Feb. 14, 2008: Campus Voices: Do you agree with SJSU's ban on blood drives?
Feb. 13, 2008: University stands alone in blood policy
Feb. 13, 2008: President fields questions from campus media
Feb. 13, 2008: Opinion: Making sense out of blood drive nonsense
Feb. 12, 2008: Controversy no longer local
Feb. 7, 2008: Plot thickens in wake of blood drive suspension
Feb. 7, 2008: Where to donate blood off campus
Feb. 7, 2008: Opinion: This Queer Life: Bad Blood
Feb. 4, 2008: President halts blood drives; policy questioned
Feb. 4, 2008: Opinion: Making a deadly situation worse
Jan. 30, 2008: Blood drives stopped
Poll: Do you agree with SJSU's blood drive ban?
Other Links:
Jan. 29 Letter from President Kassing
Other links from the President's office
Feb. 21 Letter from President Kassing
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