UNC – Chapel Hill has become the latest higher education institution to say that “participation in non-violent civil protest and peaceful expression does not harm a candidate’s chances” for admission to the university.

The statement from UNC vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admission Steve Farmer came amid a wave of walk outs at schools across the country as part of ongoing protests calling for action after 17 people were killed at a school shooting in Florida earlier this month.

“The University welcomes peaceful, principled, and purposeful action to improve the lives of others and society as a whole,” Farmer said in the statement sent to WCHL Monday night.

Some school districts across the country have threatened to suspend any student who participates in a walk out as part of the nationwide protest. UNC officials said that candidates for admission are required to report any suspensions. But they add that admissions officials “don’t rush to judgment but instead take the whole of the circumstances into account.”

An anti-gun violence rally was held on the Chapel Hill campus in front of the university’s Wilson Library last week, which was organized by student groups. Congressman David Price attended that rally and has since joined more than 150 Democratic House members in supporting the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018. The Town of Chapel Hill is also flying an orange flag at Peace and Justice Plaza to bring attention to gun violence.

Duke University also announced over the weekend that any suspensions accrued as part of the ongoing protests will not negatively impact a prospective candidate’s chances for admission.

“An applicant’s participation in peaceful protests has never been a reason for us to deny or rescind an offer of admission,” Duke officials wrote in a statement.

UNC received a record number of applicants for admission this year for the thirteenth consecutive year.

Photo via Blake Hodge

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