This year, the University website has paired images from Wesleyan’s past with pictures of current activities on campus. The idea, we think, is to celebrate continuity over the last 175 years.
Before fall break, long-enduring graffiti in the Butterfield B tunnels was covered up. In the spirit of looking back at Wesleyan history, the Butterfield tunnels represent a tangible link to our past—the real past, of real students, in their real words—and somebody decided to eliminate it. Who was the underground, largely unseen graffiti bothering, we wonder? And why eliminate the writing now?
If nothing else, it’s unique and distinctly “Wesleyan.” Not to say that tour groups should be brought underground to look at some graffiti, but while many schools can boast fancy glass buildings and clever slogans, few have layers and decades of the undergraduate experience documented on otherwise ordinary cinderblock walls.
Which takes us to the current chalking resurgence. The administration has exhibited extraordinary conviction in not reversing their chalking policies. Again and again, the message has been that this is an issue not open to further discussion. Chalking allows inappropriate and hurtful messages onto campus, the e-mails reiterate. So chalking will be erased when and if it reappears.
Still, other all-campus e-mails should prove that hateful messages and actions can take many forms, from graffiti to physical attacks. Should we eliminate the elevator in Clark because racist graffiti keeps showing up there? Removing chalking as a medium does not mean that inappropriate or hurtful messages go away.
And another thing: the administration complains that chalking clean-up costs over the last three years have amounted to $100,000. If we may suspend our disbelief of this highly dubious math, allow us to offer an idea for Project $ave: lift the chalking ban. Let rain, which is free, clean up the pictures of unicorns.
This conversation has been confined to the University community for too long. Parents, if you are reading this, we encourage you to start asking questions. If you feel strongly one way or the other, contact an administrator. While our messages may seem routine, they’ll probably respond to the person holding the wallet.
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