Following the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead and at least 14 people injured, students have organized a nation-wide walk-out/protest called #MarchForOurLives to push for stricter gun laws and for more concrete actions from elected officials. However, some schools have reportedly threatened to suspend students who participate in this walkout — which, for many college-bound seniors, could be super intimidating or make them worry about their future college admission chances.
This has not gone unnoticed by universities, though. And now, some big name schools (like MIT, Boston University, and UMass Amherst) are guaranteeing that students’ admissions will not be revoked or otherwise affected by their activism and that, as for future students, their decision to peacefully protest and any discipline they face will not be held against them for their future admissions. In fact, many have come out in support of their prospective students being politically and civically engaged.
Wouldn’t it be great if well-established Admissions folks from a wide variety of distinguished colleges and universities made loud public statements that said to kids:
“Get suspended for standing up for your beliefs. We’ve got you on this side.”
— David Quinn (@MrDavidQuinn) February 22, 2018
Inside Higher ED reported that Stu Schmill, dean of admissions and financial services at MIT, released a statement saying “we have already informed those who asked that [if their admission will be rescinded for suspension because of protesting], in this case, a disciplinary action associated with meaningful, peaceful participation in a protest will not negatively impact their admissions decision, because we would not view it as inappropriate or lacking integrity on its face…we always encourage students to undertake whatever course of action in life is most meaningful to, and consistent with, their own principles, and not prioritize how it might impact their college applications.”
Schmill added, “We also believe that civic responsibility is, like most things at MIT, something you learn best by doing: indeed, to be civically responsible is to put into practice the obligation we owe to each other and to the common good. So: 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. 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.”
UMass Amherst followed suit with officials saying “If you participate in peaceful protests against gun violence and receive school discipline for walking out, staging your protest, etc., please rest assured that you can report it to UMass Amherst and we won’t hold it against you,” according to the Boston Globe.
A true and heartfelt THANK YOU to @deandebshaver, @JonBoeckenstedt, @JarridWhitney, @AngelBPerez, & @InsideAdmission for standing up on that first day. I sent a tweet and a few emails because I knew kids would be afraid, but YOU are the real leaders. #nacac #ParklandStudentsSpeak pic.twitter.com/Bo94U2RcjU
— David Quinn (@MrDavidQuinn) February 23, 2018
Boston University was next in the line up releasing this short and supportive statement from Kelly A. Walter, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions: “Boston University believes that every student should expect a safe school environment in which to learn and study. We stand in support of every high school student who chooses to participate in peaceful protests, such as the March For Our Lives and the National School Walkout Day, or who thoughtfully and respectfully exercise their freedom of expression. We want to reassure students who have already been admitted to BU or whose applications are currently under review, that your admission to Boston University will not be jeopardized should your school levy a penalty for participating in such protests.”
Other admissions officers from schools all over the country have also voiced their support on Twitter for these students including reps from Smith College, CalTech, Depaul University and more. The knowledge that their futures aren’t in danger from speaking out may just be the deciding factor for a number of young would-be activists who feel strongly about this issue. Thankfully, there are plenty of colleges are out there supporting their politically engaged and passionate students before they set foot on campus.