Chalk messages on sidewalks and campus thruways are common forms of advertising for clubs and groups on campus. But recently chalk use on restricted areas, such as walls and doors of buildings, has become a detriment to our University. The campus community needs to come together to resolve this issue before Student Government elections commence and chalk use is allowed to proliferate.

Concerns regarding improper chalk use stem from two underlying factors according to Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Evelyn Reiman. First is the issue of campus aesthetics. Chalking on vertical surfaces that aren’t washed away by rain is not only against school regulations; it makes our campus look bad. Messages in these areas are akin to graffiti, and that kind of art should be limited to the Free Expression Tunnel.

Another critical concern is that under the current Stage 2 water restrictions, Facilities can’t use water to remove chalk from improper surfaces. That water is saved for more important maintenance and sanitary upkeep efforts throughout campus. It is not a reassuring thought that Facilities will either have to ignore unsightly chalk markings or spend extra money on non-water based removal methods.

Administrators are now calling for a moratorium on all chalking. While there is little officials can do to stop chalk use directly, they are asking students to comply with this initiative for the betterment of the campus. Although this is a nice sentiment, it is unlikely this plan will come to fruition, especially with Student Government elections on the horizon.

A more realistic method is to educate students about improper chalking and encourage them to conform to University guidelines. At the same time, officials can enforce strict penalties for those who do not comply with chalking rules. Facilities allots $36,000 toward cleaning up campus graffiti. If student groups are more responsible, some of that money can be saved for a more productive cause.

Event organizers should also look for alternative methods of advertising besides chalk markings. The Internet offers countless free mass media tools, such as Facebook and EVites, which reach a wider audience than chalking ever can. So before you go around chalking restricted parts of the University, remember that, inevitably, fixing that problem will come out of students’ pockets.