The Voice
A group of friends are sitting around brainstorming on a cold night about how to have some fun and get information out to the student body about an upcoming event they are having on campus. Several ideas pop up, but one sticks out more than any other. So, to implement the plan they ride to Wal-Mart, pick up a bucket of $5 chalk in the toy section and return to campus. They decorate the sidewalks with colorful words and pictures about their event. The next day, after looking at the chalking, students are excited and, most of all, talking about the event.
Chalking our school is a great way to get information out to the student body, whether it be a sorority/fraternity rush, an upcoming event on campus, meeting times and places to vote for Mr. And Ms. GC&SU or SGA representatives, or any other extracurricular activity a student might wish to know about. However, it is a right gained by a recognized student organization (RSO) on campus to chalk the school — A right they must fill out paperwork for, pay money for, and attend meetings for.
So, should businesses outside of Georgia College & State University be allowed to come onto campus for free and access the same opportunities RSO’s do without any of the hassle that registered organization have to go through?
RSO’s consist of groups from all areas of GC&SU, such as the Baptist Student Union (BSU), Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Bowling Club, Alpha Psi Omega (Theater group) and many more, but to be considered a GC&SU organization you must be registered as a RSO. If you miss so many meetings that right is taken away until the following school year.
Now that you have some information about RSOs, answer the previous question about establishments other than RSOs chalking the school. There is no right answer. Arguments can be raised for both sides; The Colonnade board has mixed feelings about the topic, too.
Some of us feel that writing on the sidewalks keeps more students, and possibly even faculty, closer together and knowledgeable of events within the city of Milledgeville. They have something in common to talk about and to be interested in together. For instance, when Buffington’s or Amici’s has a band playing at their establishment on a certain night, many students and faculty are unaware of the event until they see it advertised on the sidewalks. They planned to go home and complain that there is never anything to do in this town. Now they can plan a night out.
On the other hand, some of the board’s members feel that no matter what the event is, you must become an RSO member to be able to write on the campus’ sidewalks. If the organization is not an RSO, then you are damaging public property. No matter if a student works for the establishment or not, defacing public property is a crime.
We want to hear your thoughts.
So please feel free to contact The Colonnade in response to “The Voice.” Send your signed letters to the editors, and your voice will be heard.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 25 2002. Filed under Our Voice.
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