Georgian Court Says It Won't Penalize Applicants For Gun Protests

LAKEWOOD, NJ — As high schools around the country prepare for the potential for student walkouts to push for reforms to gun laws, Georgian Court University is joining a growing number of universities telling students they have support.

Two dates have been circulated nationally by high school students who want to see changes in the wake of the shootings in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and teachers and injured 14 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. One is March 14, a month after the Valentine's Day murders. The second national walkout is set for April 20, marking the anniversary of the Columbine massacre that killed 12 students and a teacher at the Littleton, Colorado high school in 1999.

Along with the dates, however, have been threats by some school administrators to suspend students who take part in walkouts, threats that have raised concerns among students about how a suspension will look on their high school transcript and the potential impact it could have on their college aspirations.

At Georgian Court University, the answer to those students is, essentially, don't worry.

"Georgian Court University understands that students can be torn between standing up for their beliefs when it comes to social justice issues, and still ensuring their future as a college student." Justin G. Roy, the dean of admissions at Georgian Court, said in a statement released Tuesday.

"We are, and always have been, an institution deeply rooted in leadership and support for social justice, equality, and human rights," Roy said. "Our long-standing tradition is not to penalize future students who use their core values to participate in worthy and peaceful participation in protests or gatherings.”

The discussion of walkouts began shortly after the killings at the Parkland high school, as students around the country saw students from Parkland speaking out and demanding action to reform gun laws.

High school administrators locally have not made broad threats and few have made statements about the protests. Central Regional Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides is urging students to write to their legislators instead of participating in walkouts, but others have said nothing publicly. In at least one district, discussions are going on between students and administrators in an attempt to ensure students are safe during a walkout on one of the two dates.

How many districts will see student walkouts on March 14 or April 20 is not yet clear. In addition, there is a march named March For Our Lives planned for March 24 in Washington, along with sister marches in several other states, including New Jersey. Another march is planned for April 2 in Trenton called the NJ March for Gun Safety. (You can read about that march here.)

Photo of Justin Roy, dean of admissions, provided by Georgian Court University