Chalking

Scope

This policy applies to all property owned and operated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the UNL to prohibit defacement of university property, including both interior and exterior surfaces. This includes prohibiting the display of messages and symbols through the use of chalk, paint, and other permanent or temporary substances on sidewalks, plazas, windows, doors, walls, sculptures, benches, and other surfaces.

The following Designated Public Forum spaces are the only areas where chalking is permitted on campus with proper
approval:

Nebraska Union Memorial Plaza (City Campus)

Nebraska East Union Legacy Plaza (East Campus)

Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) wishing to chalk on one of the designated areas to advertise an upcoming activity must comply with the following guidelines:

• A Recognized Student Organization (RSO) must complete an Event Planning Registration (EPR) with Student Involvement (Rm 200) and all chalking must be reserved and approved through Nebraska Union Reservations Office (Rm 200).
• Chalking is allowed only on Monday and Tuesday the week of the reservation.
• RSO’s are only allowed to schedule chalking a maximum of two weeks per semester
• The person who makes the chalking reservation for the RSO must be present and have a copy of the approved EPR when the chalking is being completed to insure compliance.
• Only water-soluble chalk (sidewalk chalk) is allowed. The use of markers, paints, oil-based products, or sprayable chalk is prohibited and will be removed immediately at the group’s expense.
• Any RSO chalking on unauthorized locations, during an unapproved day, using incorrect chalking substance, or applying any message or drawing containing profanity, obscenity, or is viewed as inappropriate or not consistent with the mission of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will have all messages removed immediately at the group’s expense.
• Chalking can only occur on flat/horizontal ground surfaces. If chalking occurs on any vertical surface, walls, rocks, trees, buildings, benches, seating, tables, steps, light poles, signs, or underneath any coverings where chalk would not be washed away by the rainfall, etc. a cleaning fee will be charged. On City Campus, the same is true if chalking occurs near the entrance (under the Arcade), on the steps to the building or the area along the fountain where people sit.
• The sponsoring RSO must be clearly identified by their complete names, not just acronyms or Greek letters throughout the chalking design.

Reason for Policy

This policy is created to govern to usage of chalk on property owned and operated by UNL.

Additional Contacts

Union Reservations - Space/Event Reservations

402-472-8168

Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement - Planning

402-472-2454

involved@unl.edu

Forms

• Student Involvement Event Planning Registration Form

Related Information

• Use of University Facilities and Grounds

History

• This policy was reformatted in 2020 and updated to include a designated chalking area on East Campus.