UNCW clocktower to chime 17 times during National School Walkout

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Across the nation, students are expected to walk out of their classrooms Wednesday morning to honor the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting.

UNCW’s Provost Marilyn Sheerer released a message to students describing how the event will be handled on campus.

UNCW does not have a position on the walkout or the political debate it represents,  Provost Sheerer wrote in the email.

Instead, UNCW is reminding faculty, staff, and students of some protocols in place.

“The university supports students’ and employees’ First Amendment right to participate in peaceful demonstrations. However, we would ask for your help in minimizing disruption to classroom instruction and other daily campus activity. If you do choose to participate in the National School Walkout, we hope that you will promptly make your way back to your classrooms or workplace locations after the 17 minutes.

Absence policies remain at the discretion of faculty/instructors. Employees, at their managers’ discretion, may opt to use “leave time” to participate in the walkout. We encourage faculty and staff to be flexible with students and employees who do choose to participate, as we would in the case of any absence.

This is a good time to reiterate that UNCW remains committed to encouraging meaningful discourse among current and prospective students, faculty, staff, and visitors. As such, disciplinary measures resulting from peaceful and purposeful expression of freedom of speech by future applicants will not adversely affect their chances for admission to UNCW.

You will hear the Clocktower’s chimes sound 17 times on Wednesday morning, to honor the loss of 17 lives lost on that horrible day in Parkland. I hope that this gesture will be seen as one of compassion and sympathy, and not as a political statement of some kind. Thank you in advance for helping keep our campus a civil and respectful space.

Sincerely yours,

Provost Marilyn Sheerer”

Earlier this month, New Hanover County School’s said they are not planning any punishments for students who walk out of the classroom. If students leave the campus, that might not be the case, said superintendent Tim Markley.

Brunswick County students will also be allowed to participate and each school will have a designated area monitored by law enforcement during the 17 minutes.

Pender County Schools also released a statement saying they were working with principals and counselors to organize safe, peaceful demonstrations. There will be no disciplinary actions for students who participate.

Bladen County Schools says they will follow the NC General Statue 115C-47 and the Supreme Court ruling of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District.

 “The Supreme Court established the law which clearly states that you can’t stop students from expressing themselves peacefully in schools — and moreover, why would we want to?” states Bladen County Schools Superintendent Robert Taylor.

No word yet on plans in Columbus County Schools.