Over recent weeks, students have been using sidewalk chalk to protest against what they call the university’s “no chalk policy.” An online petition to lift the ban created by junior Julie Greenough has accrued 241 signatures so far with a goal of 1,000.
“Many students are not aware of this policy,” said Greenough. “Therefore, I have attempted to give them an opportunity to be informed citizen leaders, and provide a peaceful way to contribute so that ultimately their voices can be heard.”
Greenough also organized a protest on April 13, inviting people to write in chalk on Brock Commons outside of the dining hall to express their freedom of expression.
“Within 20 minutes, I was stopped by the police. The drawings did not contain curse words, racial slurs, or bodily depictions. I hold the belief that our chalk policy needs to change,” said Greenough.
As Greenough didn’t reserve the space for the protest in advance, she said Chief of Police Col. Robert Beach told her to leave and the the Longwood University Police Department would be in contact.
She said she isn’t currently facing charges through the student conduct board or court system, however she is meeting with Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson on Monday, April 24 regarding the recent chalk appearances on campus.
According to Greenough, she hasn’t used chalk on campus since her protest, stating other students have continued to chalk afterward.
The 86-page 2016-17 Student Handbook doesn’t include the word “chalk,” or state it can’t be used on campus.
“The current reason why you cannot write in chalk on campus is because of the Advertising and Posting Policy,” said junior Kevin Napier, the SGA president. “The chalk protest was started by an individual, who felt as though she should be able to write in chalk anywhere on campus due to freedom of expression.”
The Advertising and Posting Policy in the 2016-17 Student Handbook states any “posters, flyers or materials” displayed on campus require approval from the University Center and Student Activities. Each poster has a stamp on it to say that it has been approved and is allowed on campus property.
Greenough said her protest “is built on is the belief that using sidewalk chalk should not be considered an act of vandalism,” as students who violate the allegedly unofficial ban face conduct board charges. To her, the chalk ban also prevents more options for advertising events that may benefit from using the medium.
Napier stated the Student Government Association (SGA) will be inviting the individual to their meeting on Tuesday in order to clarify the policy on chalk use around campus. He said the university is currently working on clarifying the policy on chalk in the student handbook as well.
Jen Fraley, associate dean of conduct and integrity, said, “I’m happy that students are expressing their opinions, I hope that they would do that within the bounds of our policies and procedures.”
According to Fraley, students are welcome to express dissatisfaction with the university’s procedures through the channels provided.
Greenough said the vagueness in the student handbook used to support university charges on the subject “allows the university to overstep boundaries.”
She added, “When it comes to freedom of expression, Longwood cares more about appearance and liability than their own students voice.”
Editor-in-Chief Halle Parker contributed to this report.
April 24, 2017, 12:10 p.m. - The article previously stated Julie Greenough would be meeting with Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson on Tuesday; this has been corrected to say Monday, April 24.
Students anonymously protest their right to 'chalk' in order to express themselves and their beliefs.
Students anonymously protest their right to 'chalk' in order to express themselves and their beliefs.
Students anonymously protest their right to 'chalk' in order to express themselves and their beliefs.
