Campus looked a bit beige this winter, with its tan buildings, brown grass and blank sidewalks. Since spring arrived, the grass has livened up, but the sidewalks remain as bleak as ever. Well, not ever.
A long, long, time ago, students frequently used chalk to advertise campus events, and we agree with a Students’ Association chalk policy that aims to bring it back.
Two years ago, the sidewalks were lively and informative. Times, dates and locations of events were scrawled in colorful formations on the walkways across campus, making information quickly accessible to students and easily washed away by the rain.
The chalk-covered pathways not only connected the buildings on campus, but also the student body. Students did not have to make an inconvenient stop at a hut located in the center of campus to find out what’s happening in their world, because they could learn about events as they walked to class or Chapel.
Then, the advertising policy changed. It shoved chalking into the untidy pile of torn fliers and walked-over posters, banning all three forms of advertising and forcing student advertisements onto hidden fliers and electronic ads.
Thanks, in part, to a reformed chalk policy passed by the Students’ Association, administrators are considering a change to the advertising policy, which would allow students once again to advertise using chalk.
Though chalk-able areas would be limited to horizontal areas easily reached by the rain, excluding the Lunsford Trail, it would be a welcome change. In a commendable move, the Students’ Association identified a preference of the majority of the student body and is taking the appropriate action to make it happen.
Students have few options when it comes to advertising events around campus. Chalk gives advertising a creative spin and students the ability to expand their audience. With an amended chalk policy, students will be able to see advertisements on sidewalks around campus instead of solely on Chapel slides and in the one ad kiosk on campus.
SA reflected student opinions in its new chalking policy, and it made appropriate compromises to combat the causes of the chalk shut down.
Administrators should chalk up the needs and desires of the students when they reexamine the chalking policy.

Elections are just the beginning. It’s your money, use it when you need it.