Cracking down on sidewalk chalking

By Leah Stanley
Staff Writer

The GC&SU campus has recently been abuzz about the proposal of a new set of rules that would regulate chalking on campus.
Though these rules are not yet permanent, the implementation of them could have quite an effect on several Recognized Student Organizations.
Eddie Howard, director of the Office of Student Activities, says the policy is needed because there is not one in place currently, and some of the recent chalkings on campus have gotten a bit out of hand. Howard says that there have been a number of complaints from students, faculty and staff, and that the proposed chalking policy is part of a more comprehensive posting policy that may soon be implemented.
“I’d like to see more control,” said Howard.
Suzette Zompetti, assistant director of Student Activities, says that the gist of the new policy is that Student Activities will regulate chalking.
“It will be very similar to the flyer policy. We are going to ask people to bring in their design and get it approved,” said Zompetti.
Zompetti says under the proposed policy, chalking will not be free range, and the draft of these rules limits the areas at which chalking may be permitted. Though the permitted areas do include many of the spots where students already tend to chalk, even these areas have very specific limitations, and venturing outside of the designated areas could bring consequences.
“Potentially, there is a fine included in the draft of the policy,” said Zompetti.
Fines may be issued under circumstances of inappropriate chalking or the failure of an RSO to clean their designated area within 48 hours. The proposed fine will be $25 within the area and $10 for every spot outside of the designated area. However, no fine will exceed $100.
Zompetti claims that the idea of a new policy was brought about because chalking was really getting out of control. She says that there have been complaints from students about chalking around the fountain and on benches.
“President DePaolo raised the issue with Dr. [Bruce] Harshbarger, and we were asked to create a policy,” said Zompetti.
A board was created that consists of several employees from different departments of the university; however, Zompetti maintains that nothing is permanent. The draft still has to pass through several channels before final approval of the plans can take place. Zompetti says that recommendations from RSOs are encouraged.
Several students are expressing concerns about the proposed policies.
Joey Villamez, president pro-tem of the Student Government Association, says that he doesn’t think that the proposed draft is a perfect one. However, SGA will have to approve the final draft, and Villamez hopes that SGA and the University Student Council will be able to work together to create a better draft.
Elizabeth Pool, President of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, also expressed concerns about the effect that the proposed policies may have on RSOs.
“I do feel that some regulations may be necessary, such as eliminating chalkings in areas in which people sit. However, as far as the sidewalks and public areas are concerned, I feel students should have the right to advertise as they wish,” said Pool.
Zompetti says she does not fear a decrease in student involvement due to the proposed policies. In fact, she believes that it will create other alternatives for students to advertise.
“There will still be tons of places to chalk. I think that what you’re going to see is that students are going to find other ways to advertise on campus,” said Zompetti.
Zompetti also believes that the lines of communication may become clearer now that students will know exactly where to look for advertisements, instead of them being everywhere.
Howard says Student Activities will not try to come down hard on Student Organizations. Most importantly, he wants students to have time to understand the new policies if they are in fact approved.
“We will take a slow approach,” said Howard. He also states that the main goal is to inform and educate the students.
Student organizations wishing to make recommendations on the issue should contact the University Student Council.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 8 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry