The University released a statement on social media Saturday night reaffirming its free speech principles and expressing support for high school students who are demonstrating for change to gun laws in response to the Parkland shooting.
Unlike many other universities that have released statements since the shooting, the University’s statement does not spell out that the admissions office will ignore suspensions on applicants’ records that are associated with participation in walkouts or protests.
When asked if the admissions office will ignore suspensions, a spokesperson for the University wrote in an e-mail, “I don’t have anything to add beyond the statement supporting students’ exercise of free expression on this issue.”
The statement reads: “As many high school students express their heartfelt opposition to violence, we reaffirm the University of Chicago’s longstanding principles of free expression, and support students making their voices heard on this and other issues of national importance.”
Universities that have released statements reassuring student protesters about their application status include Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Virginia, Brown University, Northeastern University, and University of California, Los Angeles.
As many high school students express their heartfelt opposition to violence, we reaffirm the University of Chicago’s longstanding principles of free expression, and support students making their voices heard on this and other issues of national importance.
— UChicago (@UChicago) February 25, 2018
This story was updated on 2/26.