On Feb. 27, Oswego State President Deborah Stanley released the following statement in response to the Parkland High School shooting that spurred a movement to plan walkouts protesting the government’s handling of. There is a walkout planned on campus on March 6, while there are numerous protests scheduled around the nation on different dates.

“SUNY Oswego fully supports a student’s freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly and protest. We encourage civil discourse and active engagement on and off our campus, and want to reassure students – who have already been admitted to Oswego, whose applications are currently under review, or those who are considering applying – that your admission status will not be jeopardized should you be penalized by your school for standing up for your beliefs.”

This statement and reassurance from the school was a nice gesture and on par with other institutions, but it should go without saying that student’s First Amendment rights are protected.

An overwhelming number of students admitted to colleges are legally allowed to vote. A part of the transition from high school to college is the role of taking on more responsibility and engaging in a more politically driven activism to have their voice heard. Oswego State is an open campus, filled with people from all walks of life who are granted freedom of expression.

There are obvious differences between the environment of a high school and a college, but if this group of young political activists want to act, they should not fear the possible punishment. There is a fine line they need to balance.

With the string of mass shootings recently. It is disheartening that in today’s society this is even a discussion. Students are this country’s future, and their beliefs should be heard. Developing a plan for protests around the nation takes a special group of people. These people should not be afraid of possible discipline from administration. It is time for change, and with the help of these brave teenagers, they may be the ones who are able to get the United States government to make some changes.