Use, limitations of sidewalk chalk debated on campuses

Stroll through any university today and you’ll likely tread on an invitation to a fraternity party or campus-wide event scrawled in multicolored chalk across a sidewalk.

But some colleges are taking steps to limit what’s known as chalking, concerned that their walkways will become low-tech chat rooms or, worse, billboards for ethnic hatred.

At Minnesota State, the president of the student senate, Peter Hartje, said he and his schoolmates view the restrictions as the “university coming up with a standard to ensure dignity and to guarantee that our campus didn’t turn into a giant hopscotch box.”

“Not only does it restrict our right to free speech, but it also seems kind of silly,” said Norton, president of Nebraska’s chapter of the Campus Freethought Alliance. “It’s only chalk, after all. It’s not going to be there forever.”

“It’s a good way for people to get their messages across,” said Dean of Students John Delaney. “And all it takes is a good rain and it’s gone, so it works out pretty well for everyone.”