Over 117 colleges and universities have released statements reassuring applicants that their chances for admittance won’t be hurt if they are suspended for protesting to demand gun legislation amid warnings from high schools nationwide against walking out of class in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
There are national school walkouts scheduled for March 14 and April 20. Thousands of students also participated in walkouts across the country last week.
Needville Independent School District in Texas is one of those school districts issuing such warnings.
“Life is all about choices and every choice has a consequence whether it be positive or negative,” Superintendent Curtis Rhodes said in a statement. “We will discipline no matter if it is 1, 50, or 500 students involved. All will be suspended for three days and parent notes will not alleviate the discipline.”
Wisconsin’s Waukesha School District issued a similar directive last week, which was later modified.
“This is not at all about students. At no time have we said students cannot make a statement peacefully while staying in school,” Superintendent Todd Gray said in a letter sent to parents and students last Tuesday, reminding parents of the district’s policy against using its name to promote an activity.
“This is about an outside organizer, not a Waukesha student-initiated event. No student or student organization has come forth to request participation,” Gray added. “This is all promoted by non-district adults, without permission to use the district’s names or property.”
However, the Waukesha School District clarified the following day they will allow students to walk out if they have parental consent.
George Washington University’s admissions department posted on Twitter, “GW supports a student’s right to advocate. If you are disciplined or suspended by your school as a consequence of peacefully & lawfully exercising your right to protest, such measures will have no effect upon your admissions decision.”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is following suit.
“If any admitted students or applicants are disciplined by their high school for practicing responsible citizenship by engaging in peaceful, meaningful protest related to this (or any other) issue, we will still require them to report it to us,” MIT Dean of Admissions Stu Schmill stated. “However, because we do not view such conduct on its face as inappropriate or inconsistent with their prior conduct, or anything we wouldn’t applaud amongst our own students, it will not negatively impact their admissions outcome.”
While assuring accepted applicants their status would not be rescinded, Yale University’s Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Hannah Mendlowitz stated her solidarity with student demonstrators. “Yale will NOT be rescinding anyone’s admission decision for participating in peaceful walkouts for this or other causes, regardless of any high school’s disciplinary policy,” she wrote. “I, for one, will be cheering these students on from New Haven.”
In addition to local school walkouts, a march on the nation’s capital is scheduled for March 24.
Jackson Richman (@JacksonRichman) is an editor and daily columnist at The National Discourse.
