Nick Armogida was able to chalk a final statement before he gave in to police demands.
The junior advertising major met opposition while using chalk to promote the Wuhnurth Music Festival, an event that happened in early September.
Armogida said someone called police on the group of students, and they were asked to stop drawing with chalk on campus. In response to this he made one last statement by chalking the message "Speak Out" and a peace sign on the Bracken library grounds.
Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of facilities planning and management, said the 1985 policy, prohibits the use of chalk anywhere on campus, although it doesn't mention chalking specifically.
The goal of the solicitation plan is to preserve the quality of university's grounds.
"Sometimes your voice can't be heard without a little civil disobedience once in a while," Armogida said, regarding the message he left at the scene. "At the same time, I want to find a more formal way for Ball State to revoke the ban."
Armogida said chalking is a great way to get students involved, since drawing and creating art is much more appealing than simply handing out flyers.
Kenyon supports the university's policy.
"Students should use more traditional media for promotions," he said. "Chalking can easily get out of hand both in appearance and context."
Kenyon's recommendation for students interested in promoting campus causes is to take advantage of posting flyers on the kiosks around campus.
Armogida is actively involved in promoting green living and said paper is being wasted from excessive flyers on campus, many of which are trashed shortly after being handed out.
Armogida said Ball State University used to have a strong liberal environment with active involvement from students, but that this atmosphere has been stifled.
"People have learned to be apathetic to great nonprofit organizations on campus," he said.
Armogida said he hopes that Ball State will be able to refocus its attention on the student voice and freedom of expression.
| Five ways to... | |
| Properly Promote | Not Promote |
| 1. Act out event in the middle of the Scramble Light, during the scramble | 1. Spray paint all the details about the event on the steps of Bracken Library |
| 2. Create a group on Facebook, and invite all the people you've never met or rarely talk to | 2. Throw a pie in the face of anyone walking past with info about the event inside the pie |
| 3. Spread rumor that David Letterman or "Boom Goes the Dynamite!" kid will be there | 3. Spread rumor that David Letterman or "Boom Goes the Dynamite!" kid will be there | 4. Purchase an airplane to fly over Ball State with the information about your event on a banner behind the plane | 4. Steal a university police car, drive around with the siren blaring yelling about the event | 5. Say the event involves green bandanas, socks, nerf guns or zombies | 5. Use chalk |
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