This case study examines a situation at Oberlin College where many students received failing grades for protesting recent police killings of African Americans instead of attending classes. The students petitioned the college president to excuse their failing grades in light of the "real-life learning" from protesting. While understanding their goals, the president denied changing grades, noting policies against suspending grading protocols. There are debates around whether protesting or class attendance better upholds values like work ethic and moral duty to society. The author agrees with the president's decision, believing that properly earning degrees is important to developing qualified leaders and maintaining an educated society.