As an adult, it’s easy enough to urge high school kids to participate in #NeverAgain from afar — but to teens, that could mean violating school policy, getting suspended, or even jeopardizing their chances to get into their choice university. Fortunately, a number of colleges are speaking out, promising that participating in such protests will not sway admissions in any way.
After the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, teens have been working tirelessly to incite change with a voice and a fervor that we haven’t seen before — that may well change the world. The Parkland students have already organized a nationwide march, March for Our Lives, are pulling together a benefit concert, and held a CNN town hall demanding stricter gun control laws.
Some high schools are pushing back against national protests like March for Our Lives and National School Walkout with internal policies. The Needville Independent School District in Texas issued a warning that anyone who took part of a walkout or political protest would be “suspended for three days,” CNN reported.
Fortunately, colleges and universities are doing their best to support prospective students, pledging that suspensions resulting from political protests will not affect their admissions decisions.
“We are proud to support all students for participating in peaceful walkouts for gun control or other causes, ” Yale University tweeted, “and we will not rescind admissions decisions for students who do so regardless of any school’s disciplinary policy.” Boston University, Dartmouth, Northeastern, UCLA, and more have spoken out promising the same.
Here at @Yale, we are proud to support all students for participating in peaceful walkouts for gun control or other causes, and we will not rescind admissions decisions for students who do so regardless of any school’s disciplinary policy. Read more here:https://t.co/dX863n8v1K pic.twitter.com/Zixpoj3L1P
— Yale Admissions (@YaleUGA) February 24, 2018
Admission to BU will not be jeopardized should your school levy a penalty for participating in peaceful protests, such as the National School Walkout Day. See Dean of Admissions Kelly A. Walter's full statement here: https://t.co/Xikz3HkClJ @BU_Tweets #StudentsStandUp
— BU Admissions (@ApplyToBU) February 23, 2018
Dartmouth supports active citizenship and applauds students’ expression of their beliefs. pic.twitter.com/TlcKcQIxQ1
— Dartmouth (@dartmouth) February 23, 2018
We want to reassure students who have applied or have been admitted to Northeastern University that disciplinary actions associated with participation in peaceful protests will not jeopardize your admission.
— Northeastern U. (@Northeastern) February 23, 2018
UCLA supports students who use their right to peacefully demonstrate and have their voices heard. We stand with you. pic.twitter.com/n4JJgRoEK8
— UCLA Admission (@UCLAAdmission) February 24, 2018
My Dean wanted to add his words of support to my tweets from Wednesday. He's not on Twitter, so I'm sharing a screen shot. #UVA #UVA22 #ParklandStudentsSpeak pic.twitter.com/wxcsJ4t0ZL
— Dean J (@UVaDeanJ) February 23, 2018
It’s amazing that these schools are fostering outspoken, politically minded students, and that they aren’t punishing high schoolers for being active members of their communities. Find out if your prospective college has made a similar promise here.
