RECENTLY, some have criticized the chalk messages that appear on passageways around the University. Specifically, they have been referred to as "unsightly abominations" and "trashy."
One might consider prostitutes selling themselves on the Corner "trashy." Or drug addicts shooting up in Clemons "trashy." Or perhaps nudie shows in Cabell Hall "trashy." But colorful chalk messages on the sidewalk "trashy?" Let's think about it.
If you've walked around Grounds, you've seen these; mostly on sidewalks, sometimes even on walls. They're usually announcing some event, or a meeting, or just letting you know that some organization, that you've probably never heard of, exists. If you don't like looking through all of the flyers on the bulletin boards, you might catch a glimpse of something you like on the ground on your way to class.
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Chalking provides a good way for groups to advertise themselves. What alternatives are there? Placing a classified ad in the newspaper? Putting up flyers around Grounds? Both alternatives cost more money than a pack of chalk.
There's also the issue of waste. While some may find the chalkings an eyesore, the ones on cement do wash away after the next rainfall. Getting rid of all the flyers is not so easy. If all of the groups around Grounds stopped chalking up the sidewalks, paper waste inevitably would build up.
A great majority of our student body walks to class, so why not take advantage of high traffic areas? Sidewalk space is virtually unlimited, while there's only so much bulletin board space at the University.
It is obvious to see that there are no real environmental or economical benefits to getting rid of chalking. Some, however, say that we must make these sacrifices to save the aesthetics of the University.
Despite arguments to the contrary, these chalkings do not "reflect poorly" on the University. It's not as if hooligans have spray-painted dirty words on the side of the Rotunda. The messages are signs of involvement at the University, and a means of communication between University groups and the student body.
It's almost relieving to see these chalk messages, to know that we have an active student body. If there weren't any signs of involvement, some prospective students visiting the Grounds might think that there's nothing happening here. One can just imagine what a fuss that would cause in the Admissions Office.
The chalk messages don't just show activity at the University, they also are evidence of camaraderie. When you see a "Happy Birthday" or "I Love You" message written outside a dorm, students don't think about how horrible the blue and pink chalk goes with the architecture of the buildings.
As wonderful as the sidewalks may seem when they are free of chalk, the colorful messages seem to add, and not detract, from the appearance of the Grounds.
The University is one of the most beautiful in the nation, there should be no doubt about that. But to say that chalk messages written on sidewalks make the Grounds any less attractive, let alone "trashy," is absurd.
Along this line of reasoning, where do we stop? Banners hanging off dorms can be considered trashy as well. People wearing trashy clothes certainly don't make the University look any better. Why not implement a dress code like the University used to have?
But ideas like this are, of course, idiotic. And stopping students from connecting in a constructive manner is just as ludicrous, no matter how detrimental to our "beauty" it may seem to some.
The fact is most people don't think these chalkings look that bad, and they provide a good channel for communication among the student body.
But for those who disagree, maybe as a way to get your voice heard, you can start "a massive movement," as has been suggested. However, without the help of our ugly friend chalk, you'd better get started on those flyers soon.
(Brian Cook is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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