Univ. Police, Student Affairs halt writing on campus walls
ELYSE BEASLEY
Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: News
Many University student groups advertise club meetings, events, or even individual opinions on the steps leading down to the Student Learning Center, but not if the Student Affairs office can help it.
Last month University Police stopped students in midact of drawing environmental messages on a brick wall near the SLC.
Jimmy Williamson, chief of University Police, said the students were not actually breaking a law because they only were writing in chalk; however, they were violating campus policy by advertising in an unauthorized location.
A similar situation occurred last semester when HERO, a student organization that financially helps the families of children with AIDS, was asked to take down dozens of banners because they didn't inform the Student Affairs office before plastering them around campus.
"You can imagine if students just put advertisements everywhere what it might look like," Williamson said.
"They might not want to just do it on the sidewalk, and the next thing is that they're writing on the side of the building."
Williamson said students won't be arrested for placing signs around campus without permission, but University Police will continue to enforce campus policy and "point people in the right direction."
According to University policy, clubs and individuals may post flyers and other advertisements only in designated areas such as bulletin boards around campus and inside the Tate Center.
"It's a common sense thing," said Willie Banks, director of student affairs.
Banks attributed the campus policy to a desire for pleasing aesthetics.
"I seriously doubt that people would want just anyone to post a flyer on their door that rips the paint or damages the brick," he said.
"Someone else will eventually have to come along and re-paint and pay for the damage."
Mike Ward, manager for vending and solicitation, said only registered student organizations were eligible to advertise on the campus bulletin boards and that under no circumstances should commercial flyers be posted.
Last month University Police stopped students in midact of drawing environmental messages on a brick wall near the SLC.
Jimmy Williamson, chief of University Police, said the students were not actually breaking a law because they only were writing in chalk; however, they were violating campus policy by advertising in an unauthorized location.
A similar situation occurred last semester when HERO, a student organization that financially helps the families of children with AIDS, was asked to take down dozens of banners because they didn't inform the Student Affairs office before plastering them around campus.
"You can imagine if students just put advertisements everywhere what it might look like," Williamson said.
"They might not want to just do it on the sidewalk, and the next thing is that they're writing on the side of the building."
Williamson said students won't be arrested for placing signs around campus without permission, but University Police will continue to enforce campus policy and "point people in the right direction."
According to University policy, clubs and individuals may post flyers and other advertisements only in designated areas such as bulletin boards around campus and inside the Tate Center.
"It's a common sense thing," said Willie Banks, director of student affairs.
Banks attributed the campus policy to a desire for pleasing aesthetics.
"I seriously doubt that people would want just anyone to post a flyer on their door that rips the paint or damages the brick," he said.
"Someone else will eventually have to come along and re-paint and pay for the damage."
Mike Ward, manager for vending and solicitation, said only registered student organizations were eligible to advertise on the campus bulletin boards and that under no circumstances should commercial flyers be posted.
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