Chalking out a policy for getting the word out

Photo by Luke Nankivell, photo editor

This semester, sidewalk chalk has proven to be one of the most effective ways for campus organizations to get messages out.

Organizations have utilized Drake University’s busiest sidewalks, trying to attract readers and hopefully more attendees for their events.

First-year Ashley Beall, a publicity co-chair on Herriott Hall’s Executive Council, explained why sidewalk chalk is used so often.

“Basically we just use it to promote hall events and anything that we’re really trying to get people to come to. A lot of halls do that, that’s one way we get to put the word out there,” said Beall.

A wide array of campus clubs and organizations have implemented the use of chalk this semester. The first week of October, the sidewalks were riddled with statistics about rape during Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

During September, someone even used chalk as a “personal ad” of sorts. He wrote down his name and phone number, urging people to contact the person if they wanted to be friends.

First-year Monika Makowiecki, Herriott Hall’s other publicity co-chair, commented on the effectiveness of sidewalk chalk.

“I think it’s really effective,” Makowiecki said. “I mean I always read what’s on the sidewalk, but I guess it depends on the person.”

Students have no problem seeing what is written where they walk, but they can sometimes be distracting and even dangerous, as first-year marketing and management double major Kirk Petrowitz describes.

“Well, they’re nice, but I walk at such a swift pace that I can’t read them by the time I get past them, and one time I ran into a tree,” Petrowitz said.

Simpson College implemented a chalking policy this fall. However, they can only use chalk around certain areas of campus, while other areas are either prohibited or permission is required, whereas Drake students have very limited restrictions.

Latasha Stiger, director of campus programming, explained Drake’s own chalk policy.

“(Students) have the ability to use sidewalk chalk, and they have to make sure that it is not on vertical surfaces, it is not under an overhang so the natural elements, whether it be rain, snow or whatever it may be, can wash it away,” said Stiger.

Students also do not require permission when they want to use chalk just as long as everything is appropriate.

“We make sure that they’re not offensive or anything along those lines, but other than that, feel free, go right ahead,” said Stiger.