Colleges to applicants: Rallying for gun control and getting suspended for it won't hurt chances of acceptance

Leave school to protest inaction on gun violence in the wake of the Florida school shooting?

It won't hurt your chances of getting into college.

"Future Owls should know admissions decisions are not affected by disciplinary action resulting from participation in peaceful protests," tweeted Temple University.

Over the last several days, dozens of other colleges, locally and nationally, also have issued public statements to prospective students to ease possible concerns if they participate in a wave of demonstrations and protests being planned in the wake of the shooting deaths of 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida earlier this month. A national walkout is planned for March 14 to urge Congress to act on gun violence.

The messages from colleges came in response to assertions by some school districts that students who leave school to protest would be suspended and student concern that the disciplinary action could harm their collegiate aspirations.

"We wanted to affirm that people have a reasonable right to speak their minds," said Robert Springall, vice president for enrollment management at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

In addition to tweeting out messages, Muhlenberg also sent emails to students who already were admitted during early acceptance and those still waiting to hear, making it clear they faced no repercussions.

"Should current events and your own ethical and civic values move you to find ways to improve our collective future – even if labeled civil disobedience – our community will support you, both now and should you join us this fall," Springall and his colleague wrote.

Suspensions or arrests can derail a student's application, he said, but in his experience, it's never happened for protesting or rallying in support of causes that students' believe in.

It's typically for offenses such as physical violence, sexual assault and cheating, he said. Each case is considered individually, he said.

Swarthmore, Dickinson, Haverford and Lafayette colleges, the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State, Lehigh and Bucknell universities are among other local schools that have put out messages to ease applicants' concerns.

"Penn applauds any student who peacefully asserts their right to protest," the university tweeted.

"Have no fear! We won't hold it against you," tweeted Lehigh in Bethlehem.

"We want to assure any students who choose to participate in peaceful protests against gun violence and who receive school discipline for walking out that you can report this to Haverford and we will not hold this against you in the admission process," tweeted Haverford College.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling also has expressed support.

"Student activism at either the secondary or post secondary level is not problematic on its face. Activism signals that students are ready to take control of the world around them, that they are finding their voice, building confidence, and are on the path to be engaged citizens," wrote David Burge, president. "There are also hard choices to be navigated by school administrations as they work to ensure safety and protect the right to learn for all students."

The association also has posted information on colleges' positions on the issue.