Letter to the Editors
Dear Editors,
I would like to respond to information from the recent article (March 8, 2002) on plans to crack down on sidewalk chalking. I am a professor in my fifth year here and routinely walk about the campus so I feel I have a basis from which to express my points of concern. I have not seen the draft of the proposal to regulate chalking but based on my observations as I travel on foot, I would like to say I’m opposed to regulation for several reasons:
-There are few unimposing ways to communicate on campus-chalking messages is one and to regulate it would interfere with the medium’s capacity to rapidly and efficiently “get the word out” in a low-tech fashion
-A liberal arts educative environment should invite communication, critique, and thinking. Chalking does this. To curtail the freedom of expression of many to control a few who abuse the process is excessive-the authorities should tell the abusers to stop. I would think they could already be punished for not following the Honor Code. And I have to say I personally haven’t seen any inappropriate messages though I’m sure there are some from time to time
-Chalking is sorta’ whimsical and adds to the friendly nature of this institution. I get a kick out of seeing broad strokes of bubblegum pink and robin’s egg blue beckoning me to “Vote for .” or “Come to the .” or a weighty intellectual quote to ponder. Formalizing chalking makes this a more grey and staid place at a time when we are trying to invite participation and rejuvenate ourselves.
In the scheme of things this is a little issue but I would like to see us retain as many freedoms as possible on this campus and to really think of the unintended consequences such a policy might produce. As we grow and develop let us try to keep bureaucratic folly to a minimum.
Sincerely,
Karynne L. M. Kleine
Professor of Middle Grades Education
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 5 2002. Filed under Letters to the Editor.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
