Gun Protests Won't Keep Kids Out Of Vanderbilt, Lipscomb

NASHVILLE, TN -- Joining a growing chorus of colleges across the country, two Nashville universities say they will not punish applicants for participating in planned walk-outs at high schools nationwide advocating for gun control.

In a statement, Vanderbilt University said that applicants who participate in "meaningful, peaceful ... demonstrations" will not be negatively impacted during the admissions process.

The undergraduate admissions process at Vanderbilt has long employed a holistic review of applications, considering many parts of the applications we receive. At the same time, we believe strongly in understanding the context of a student’s application, and in making admissions decisions with that context in mind. Our intent is to build a community of academically talented students and we welcome those from myriad backgrounds with a broad cross-section of viewpoints.
Just like every other part of the application process, discipline infractions are considered on a case-by-case basis within the context of their occurrences, and within the context of the values that we uphold as a university. To that end, students who are penalized for meaningful, peaceful participation in demonstrations will not be negatively impacted in our admissions process merely because they participate in such activities. Protection and promotion of civil discourse is central to the Vanderbilt experience and values.

Lipscomb University issued a similar statement to The Tennessean, saying "Although the university does not have a formal policy, applicants who have been penalized for participating in peaceful protests will not be negatively impacted during the admissions review process merely for participation in such activities."

Hundreds of colleges around the country have said participating in walk-outs and peaceful demonstrations have no impact on their admissions process after a Texas school superintendent threatened students with suspension and the infamous blemish on the permanent record for participating in a protest. No Middle Tennessee school districts have said they'll suspend students.

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