Chalking continues to appear around campus as a vehicle for political messages or notices for upcoming events. - Photo illustration by Matt Beaty/ The Lumberjack

Messages such as “Good morning, beautiful,” “Eyes don’t lie” and various pictures drawn out in all different colors of chalk have been found around NAU campus. Each one endorses a message of a different kind.

According to a chalker who wished to remain anonymous in order to avoid facing charges, “chalking” is said to promote positive messages and personal expression through a non-permanent material.

Arizona Revised Statutes, §13-1602-a5 defines graffiti as, “drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol that is made on any public or private building, structure or surface, except the ground, and that is made without permission of the owner.” Chalking falls under this category.

Chalking is seen as detrimental graffiti and can possibly lead to misdemeanor or felony charges if the chalker is caught. 

Danny Smith, a freshman communications major, Chris Popp, a freshman business major, and Daniel Aki, a freshman exercise science major, said chalking is a positive and inspiring way to reach out to members of the community.

The anonymous chalker also said chalking is non-destructive because it is easy to remove.

“It’s nice to see around and makes the environment we’re in more beautiful and more colorful,” the chalker said.

However, authorities at NAUPD and Flagstaff PD claim chalking is a form of graffiti and is considered a misdemeanor. If criminal damages exceed $200, it would then, under the educational structure, be deemed a felony.

Officer Lance Wigley, a NAUPD community relations officer, said chalking on NAU campus is against any code of conduct and against the law.

“Anything (drawn) on public or private property is against the law,” Wigley said. “The ground is the only exception, but there is nothing that Arizona considers the ground. It could be natural earth, or some say it’s a parking lot or sidewalk.”

Chalking is also considered destructive because of the cleanup needed to remove it.

Paul Davila, director of planning and development at NAU, said the cleanup takes time and effort. Davila said the department usually gets one to two calls per week dealing with graffiti removal.

“It is hard to control once we let the graffiti stand for very long,” Davila said. “It becomes a growing issue. We respond to either the chalk or graffiti very quickly to limit its exposure.”

Because chalk is a non-permanent substance, some see it as non-destructive as well as uplifting for college students, professors and others who see it.

“Personally, I believe there is some level of expression that goes into all forms of art,” the anonymous chalker said. “I understand that this is our community, and we don’t want to be defacing sides of buildings, but it’s not permanent, so what is the damage?”