The Carrier’s editorial opinion represents the views of the senior members of the Campus Carrier and Viking Fusion news staff.

This past Tuesday at SGA, comments were taken from the student body on the draft of Berry’s new Chalk Policy.

A new committee was formed last semester after the “Chalkening” left many students confused over the lack of administrative action or condemnation of chalk writings that some students found hurtful or threatening. This committee’s purpose is to update the Viking Code with the college’s stance on chalking and how it relates to Berry’s speech code. The committee meets again today to make additional revisions to the policy, currently in a draft stage. 

We must address the shaky ground on which the chalk policy currently rests. As we have previously argued, Berry’s current speech code uses vague language and does not follow the spirit of the first amendment. This policy draft brings up similar concerns. 

The student body expressed desire for more definitive language on chalk expression and violations of the speech code. The current draft addresses some of those issues, but if it is to be added to the Viking Code, we would suggest clarification in several areas, such as:

• Who defines “hostile” or “intimidating”? What are examples of symbols or messages that fall under these categories? What punishment would follow someone who could be identified as having written a message with this type of content?

• How will administration know who writes chalk messages?

• Who will monitor and enforce the 7-day policy? Why seven days?

• What’s the protocol for erasing chalk messages? Will groups need to supply their own water/buckets/hoses?

• What about the children who leave chalk drawings outside of Evans and Cook?

We encourage students to speak with SGA and members of the committee and voice their opinions on issues they see within the draft of this policy. 

The problem with only bringing this policy draft to an SGA meeting is many members of the Berry community do not attend SGA or receive meeting updates.  It is important as we move forward that all voices are heard on this policy, as it directly impacts the free speech of every student at Berry College. We hope that you will take the time to read over the above policy draft and send your comments to SGA or Debbie Heida, dean of students.

Our freedom to speak in any form is perhaps our most precious right. Berry College should follow the spirit of the first amendment.

Chalk Policy Draft

This past Tuesday at SGA, comments were taken from the student body on the draft of Berry’s new Chalk Policy.

A new committee was formed last semester after the “Chalkening” left many students confused over the lack of administrative action or condemnation of chalk writings that some students found hurtful or threatening. This committee’s purpose is to update the Viking Code with the college’s stance on chalking and how it relates to Berry’s speech code. The committee meets again today to make additional revisions to the policy, currently in a draft stage. 

We must address the shaky ground on which the chalk policy currently rests. As we have previously argued, Berry’s current speech code uses vague language and does not follow the spirit of the first amendment. This policy draft brings up similar concerns. 

The student body expressed desire for more definitive language on chalk expression and violations of the speech code. The current draft addresses some of those issues, but if it is to be added to the Viking Code, we would suggest clarification in several areas, such as:

• Who defines “hostile” or “intimidating”? What are examples of symbols or messages that fall under these categories? What punishment would follow someone who could be identified as having written a message with this type of content?

• How will administration know who writes chalk messages?

• Who will monitor and enforce the 7-day policy? Why seven days?

• What’s the protocol for erasing chalk messages? Will groups need to supply their own water/buckets/hoses?

• What about the children who leave chalk drawings outside of Evans and Cook?

We encourage students to speak with SGA and members of the committee and voice their opinions on issues they see within the draft of this policy. 

The problem with only bringing this policy draft to an SGA meeting is many members of the Berry community do not attend SGA or receive meeting updates.  It is important as we move forward that all voices are heard on this policy, as it directly impacts the free speech of every student at Berry College. We hope that you will take the time to read over the above policy draft and send your comments to SGA or Debbie Heida, dean of students.

Our freedom to speak in any form is perhaps our most precious right. Berry College should follow the spirit of the first amendment.