Some people said the decision is limiting students’ freedom of speech.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University is banning sidewalk chalking on campus this year, ending a long-standing practice some students and faculty say is central to campus expression.
The decision comes after what the university described as “continued complaints,” according to a spokesperson.
“If you walk around OSU campus during the school year, you’ll notice sometimes there is chalk on the sidewalk,” said Dr. Pranav Jani, an Ohio State professor and board member of the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors.
Jani said students often use chalk to promote events or share their beliefs.
“A university should be a place of free flow of ideas, especially for student expression,” he said.
He added that for students “speaking out against genocide, speaking out against human rights abuses, it sends a message: ‘This is another way we want you to stay quiet.’”
Jani calls the ban disappointing.
“Chalking is so harmless, goes away with the rain, and everybody does it. It’s a time-honored tradition at Ohio State,” he said.
Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said in a statement, “(The) Ohio State University is committed to protecting free speech and expression on our campuses, and we support the right of students, faculty and staff to speak out about issues that are important to them.”
Jani said he fears even small restrictions could lead to greater limits on free expression.
“We have to fight for every inch of free speech — it’s like a muscle, you use it or you lose it,” he said. “If we give up our paths for free expression, then we will actually lose those paths.”
The university said students caught chalking could be held financially responsible for cleanup costs and may also be referred for student conduct review.
This article was published by Tara Jabour on 2025-08-15 18:59:00
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