DePaul University Outlaws Chalked Political Messages

DePaul University Outlaws Chalked Political Messages

The chalking epidemic that began at Emory University hit DePaul University a few weeks ago.

Pro-Trump messages etched in chalk caused hysteria and confusion for students encountering an opposing view.

The Chalkening was too much for DePaul University, apparently, where administrators recently banned chalked political messages.

Anthony Gockowski of Campus Reform reported:

DePaul University will no longer allow students to chalk political messages on the sidewalks of its campus because of the “offensive, hurtful, and divisive” nature of pro-Trump chalking found on campus last week.

“While these chalk messages are part of national agendas in a heated political battle, they appeared on campus at a time of significant racial tension in our country and on college campuses. DePaul is no exception,” Depaul’s vice president for student affairs Eugene Zdziarski wrote in a campus-wide email obtained by Campus Reform. “The university has been addressing campus climate issues in an effort to provide an inclusive and supportive educational environment. In this context, many students, faculty and staff found the chalk messages offensive, hurtful and divisive.”

Consequently, Zdziarski explained that DePaul’s status as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization prohibits students from participating in any political activity that could be interpreted as a reflection of the university’s “views or opinions.” Political chalking on Depaul’s grounds, Zdziarski argued, fits this description.

“However, as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization, the university is significantly limited in the types of political activities it can promote or support,” he wrote. “In accordance with federal regulations, DePaul may not engage in any activity in support of or opposition to any candidate for public office, federal, state or local. In practice, this means no partisan political advertising may be conducted on campus that could in any way be attributed to DePaul University.”

DePaul College Republicans organized the chalking that was promptly cleaned up by the campus ground crew.

The DePaulia reported:

In a statement, the university said that campus grounds crews made an independent decision to remove the chalking in part because of its content.

“After some investigation, it turns out this happened for two reasons. First, the crew regularly cleans up chalk messages on our sidewalks. This is a part of their duties. Secondly, some among the crew considered the messages inflammatory. The crew has agreed to consult about such matters in the future.”

Special Snowflakes – 1, Sanity – 0.

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