It’s the same substance that our professors used before the advent of dry-erase boards.

It’s the same substance that pitchers use to dry off their hands before the next fastball.

The natural version of it is an easily pulverized type of limestone.

We call it chalk, and on a college campus, it is used on sidewalks as often as it is on chalkboards. It’s an activity called ‘chalking,’ in which information or congratulations are colorfully written on the University’s concrete walkways.

And, on this campus, it’s illegal.

By ‘illegal,’ it is meant that chalking is against the rules set down in the Student Handbook. According to the handbook, ‘The use of tape, paint, chalk or other substances used to convey a message on sidewalks, buildings or other University property is prohibited.’

What is not present in the handbook is a penalty for the offense of chalking. A student could chalk the sidewalk every day, and the only penalty is that the grounds crew will wash it off as soon as possible.

It seems rather odd that the University would have a rule that it does not enforce. Granted, even if it could enforce the rule, people could still chalk with little fear of getting caught.

Then why is there a rule?

There was a purpose behind this policy, and it has nothing to do with oppression.

Chalking takes place on the walkways. As a result, people have a tendency to walk over the chalked words. When they do so, the chalk dust gets onto their shoes. If the words were close enough to a building, that dust is rubbed into the carpets and tiles, ruining them. Whose tuition money pays for these ruined tiles and carpets? Ours.

So, there is a method to this madness. But chalking is an integral part of collegiate life. Maybe it’s not as large a part as, say, athletics or organizations, but it is a uniquely college phenomena. Drop by almost any campus, and you’ll find words on the sidewalk, written in chalk.

This dissemination technique is an example of the resourcefulness of student organizations. It’s inexpensive and effective, and it allows for creativity.

In addition, it’s the little things, such as chalking, that truly builds school spirit. The members of an organization get together to write a message that is visible to the entire campus, and it produces a slight swell of pride to see a congratulatory message scrawled on the sidewalk.

However, there does remain the genuine problem of it being tracked into buildings. To combat this, the Office of Student Life is proposing an alteration to the ‘no chalking’ rule. The proposed change would allow chalking, as long as it’s not within 20 feet of a doorway.

When the handbook is revised, this would be a sage solution to the current, non-enforced rule. On the student side, it would be advisable to follow this guideline. After all, we’re the ones who provide the money for the cleaning bills.

We’d be doing ourselves a favor.