For college students applying for internships, the biggest letdown is usually a flat-out denial from a dream company. But for Victoria Stanzione, a Pepperdine University sophomore who was offered an internship at the Marijuana Policy Project, the disappointment came after her school refused to approve her internship.
Stanzione, a politics major, first heard from her program director that the dean who oversees the Seaver College internship program denied her internship request.
"The internship is not aligned with the mission and purpose of Pepperdine University and I cannot approve the internship for academic credit," Associate Dean Michael Feltner wrote in an email.
Though Stanzione said she didn't plan on Pepperdine saying yes, she refused to accept the university's "no" with little explanation and set her sights on an appeal.
"I'm one of those people that even if I'm told 'no' I like to fight it," Stanzione told the Huffington Post.
Her request was met with yet another resounding 'no,' and the blanket statement that the "states policy" internship does not fall in line with Pepperdine's mission.
The university's mission statement reads: "Pepperdine University is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership."
Jerry Derloshon, Pepperdine's senior director of public affairs, confirmed to the Huffington Post that Stanzione's internship approval request and appeal were denied because "the internship did not align with the mission of the university."
"With the legal status of marijuana use in the country and with Pepperdine being a dry campus it goes without saying that elicit drug use is not allowed on campus in any way shape or form," Derloshon said.
The Pepperdine student handbook states that "the atmosphere in which students are encouraged to explore faith and scholarship, is reflected in Pepperdine's affirmation statement, in which it says, 'Truth has nothing to fear from investigation.'"
The MPP does not endorse marijuana use, but the organization is focused on drug policy reform. However, MPP Communications Manager Morgan Fox believes the California university overlooked the organization's mandate all together, focusing instead on the policy reform group's name.
"There was very little explanation," Fox told the Huffington Post. "I don't think they really paid any attention to what the organization does. I think they just don't like [MPP]."
Despite the fact that MPP focuses solely on reform, Derloshon said that didn't sway the administrators who considered Stanzione's application.
"Marijuana is illegal. Given that is the case, that's the reason, I understand, her internship was denied," Derloshon said.
While Stanzione would have liked to work with the MPP since modern-day prohibition is something she "genuinely thinks is important," she does not have the resources to work an unpaid internship without school credit since she is living in Washington D.C. this semester as part of Pepperdine's internship program. Instead, she sought out another internship -- with Pepperdine's help -- at the Center for American Progress.
While the Christian values may have something to do with the university's denial, Fox counters that MPP, and drug reform in general, are supported by a wide variety of Christian organizations.
"We are called as Christians to engage this world, not run away from it," Rev. Alexander Sharp, the executive director emeritus of Protestants for the Common Good, said in a written statement. "Our current drug policies raise fundamental questions of compassion and justice. We cannot avoid these issues and still be true to the Gospel."
Recently, more than 100 college professors -- including an economics lecturer from Pepperdine's Graziadio School of Business -- expressed their support for Colorado's marijuana legalization measure.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.