UW tells high school protesters that their admissions decision will not be affected

Students who defy school efforts to limit participation in next month's national walkout to protest gun violence won't have to worry about it affecting their prospects for being admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The university tweeted Monday that it supports the right of students to legally protest. Questions have come up about those who walk out of classes for 17 minutes on March 14 to honor the 17 people killed by a gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.

At least nine Milwaukee-area schools appear on a list of those across the country where students plan to take part in the National School Walkout at 10 a.m. March 14. The Youth EMPOWER arm of the National Women's March is promoting the event.

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Some Wisconsin school districts are making it clear that they don't approve of the idea, though parental excuses from classes may be enough permission.

UW-Madison spokeswoman Meredith McGlone said the question of whether the university would frown on high school seniors protesting while awaiting admission decisions at the end of March popped up on social media.

Other universities have reassured prospective students that they may lawfully protest.