With the recent death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and the upcoming retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, many are now left wondering what these two vacancies will mean for key Supreme Court decisions, such as Roe v. Wade.
"It (Roe v. Wade decision) depends on who is appointed to replace O'Connor and Rehnquist," said Barbara Kritchevsky, associate dean and Cecil C. Humphreys Professor of Law at The University of Memphis.
Kritchevsky said there is also a danger that important Affirmative Action decisions could be scaled back as a result of these two nominations.
"If Bush has his way, certain decisions, including Roe v. Wade, will be overturned," she said.
However, Kritchevsky also said that you can't tell how someone will vote until he or she is appointed to the court.
"People change their minds," she said.
John Roberts, who was promoted from associate justice nominee to chief justice nominee by President Bush and whose Senate confirmation hearing began Monday, is considered by some to be a moderate conservative. Some think, based on a previous statement Roberts made about the case, that he wouldn't overturn a decision like Roe v. Wade, which allows a woman to terminate her pregnancy by abortion.
Glen Griffin, a freshman business and finance major, said Democrats and pro-choice groups should not worry about the president's nominations.
"He(President Bush) is a good president," said Griffin. "He is going to make the right decision."
Amanda Lorenc, a junior chemistry major, said that she does not think Roe v. Wade will be overturned.
"I think that's a highly precedented case," she said. "That will make it difficult to overturn."
Kelsey Fisher, a junior exercise sports science major, agreed.
"I don't think it (Roe v. Wade) would be overturned," he said.
However, several other students think Democrats and pro-choice groups should be worried about the two Supreme Court nominations.
"He (President Bush) might nominate more conservative justices," said Corie Melton-Piper, a freshman biology major.
Melton-Piper said decisions like Roe v. Wade might have a different outcome if two conservative justices are appointed.
Aaron Dison, a senior film and video production major, agreed.
"They (conservatives) are trying to take rights away from people," said Dison. He also said that women should have the right to terminate their pregnancies.
Joshua Valentine, a freshman civil engineering major, said he isn't sure if these decisions will be overturned.
"It's hard to say what will happen," said Valentine, who also said there should be an equal number of Republicans and Democrats serving on the Supreme Court.
Kate Joyce, a graduate student and political science major, said pro-choice groups should be concerned.
"There is going to be a huge conservative majority on the court," she said.
