Student Organizations question flyer policy

The University's recent crackdown on the policy banning the posting of random flyers and displaying chalk-written messages on sidewalks around campus is leaving some student organizations questioning the penalties.

"I don't see why it's an issue," said Joe Wolz, president of the Paintball Club, on writing sidewalk messages. "It's cheaper and cleaner than doing flyers." While the policy has been on the books for almost a decade, the University has decided to step up enforcement, which includes fining those who do not cooperate.

Scott Pike, superintendent of building maintenance, said earlier this week that cleaning up after the messages can cost the University large amounts of energy and water. It is also costly to pay workers, some of whom are paid $30 an hour, to clean the pedestrian overpass and power wash the chalk off sidewalks.

But Wolz said he has never seen any University workers cleaning up the mess on the overpass. "I've been here three years, I've never seen a power washer on campus," Wolz said. "I walk on that bridge every day. I've seen [flyers] get ripped down, but I've never seen them clean the bridge."

An email sent out to all Registered Student Organization officers and advisers to remind them of the policy by Katherine Sermersheim, director of student development, read "Sidewalk chalking is oftentimes viewed by others as an unattractive and, potentially, a defacement of public property." Sermersheim said she has heard no complaints in regards to the strict enforcement.

"I keep hearing people saying 'thank goodness,'" Sermersheim said. "Part of it might be because nobody's gotten charged yet." Sermersheim said the alternative to chalking and posting flyers around campus is posting messages on the designated bulletin boards around campus, but Wolz said most students do not notice them.

For a flyer to be posted in the Student Center, it must be pre-approved with a worker, who may be another student, at the Information Station. There are six bulletin boards spread throughout the Student Center, and messages can be posted once on each board.

Wolz said more bulletin boards are needed on campus to make them less cluttered. Joe Brzana, president of the Skydiving Club, said flyers weren't effective, but instead of writing the messages on sidewalks with chalk to promote his organization, he gives quick presentations to students before class begins. "I ask professors if I can speak in the classes," Brzana said. "There's times when I go in and they're like, 'no, not today,' but they're pretty cool about it."

At Illinois State University, student organizations are allowed to use dry-erase boards located around campus to display important messages, which is an alternative SIUC does not have available. Ryan Cunningham, Illinois State University's RSO student specialist, says his university allows chalking, but only on horizontal surfaces that are exposed to weather, like sidewalks.

Although ISU has outlawed liquid chalk because it does not wash off when it rains, Cunningham said the students are free to write messages with chalk in any regulated area. Cunningham also said the RSO office allows for the organizations to rent out an easel for a week to place around campus to get the word out to replace posting flyers.

Katie Baker, president of the Women's Rugby Club, said the club's turnout this semester was much higher because of the advertisements the organization wrote on the sidewalks. Baker said the chalk messages have jumped the number of members in the organization by nine members over last semester. "We needed to do something," Baker said. "If they want to power wash it, they're doing that on their own and making more stress for themselves.

"It fades away. They're making it more of a big deal than it needs to be." Sermersheim said if organizations would like to negotiate about the policy, things can be done to get their voices heard, but so far, none have contacted her.

"I feel good about where we're at," Sermersheim said. "I think obviously the intentions are good, but if students feel the issue is not having enough places to advertise, I'm certainly open to having those conversations. "Our campus should look nice. Keeping it beautiful is a step in the right direction."