To chalk or not to chalk, that is the question.

At NIU, the only students allowed to use chalk on the sidewalks are those who belong to student organizations. Those organizations must be recognized by the Student Association (SA) in good standing with university departments, according to Student Involvement and Leadership Development policy.

“We don’t chalk. I don’t know any fraternities that do,” said junior history major Victor Solorio, member of the Omega Delta fraternity.

Campus spaces like sidewalks and bulletin boards must be reserved for groups recognized by the SA and university departments in order to ensure they can effectively communicate with the student body, said Melissa Williams, associate director of Student Involvement and Leadership Development.

Williams said most violations of the chalking policy are typically made by organizations chalking in areas where they are not supposed to chalk, like on brick surfaces and walls. In these instances, student organization are contacted and asked to wash the surfaces, she said.

“The only offensive thing I can say I’ve seen would be a swastika,” said freshman undeclared major Emily Burlingham. “It was rather shocking and crudely drawn.”

As with any violations investigated, a report is filed and an organization may be reported to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct, Williams said.