Ripon College Days

When junior Trevor Bellrichard left Anderson for his first class last Wednesday morning, he was promptly faced with a message proclaiming the value of life and wrongfulness of abortion.

In addition to messages around the Quads, pro-life messages were written in sidewalk chalk from Todd Wehr to Rodman, and even on sidewalks in the greater Ripon community.

"Right away I didn't think much of it," Bellrichard says. "While I did not agree with what was written, I was kind of glad to see that someone on this campus had some opinions about something and wanted to tell us all."

Yet, the overwhelming response from students was disgust and anger.

"I was disappointed," says senior Matt Nicolai. "There are valid secular arguments against abortion, yet all the messages carried a religious tone."

Although many students considered the most obvious culprit to be the college's Right to Life organization, by Wednesday afternoon Right to Life co-presidents first years Bryan Nell and Jon Paretsky issued an email to the student body that asserted their organization did not conduct or condone the activity.

"We don't think it was a proper way of getting the message out," Nell says.

At that evening's Right to Life weekly dinner meeting sophomore Chris Holtorf confirmed the writings were his work.

At the meeting he said he was not sorry for his actions and explained the purpose for the writings as a way to increase attention to the abortion issue.

While his goal to provoke student response was successful, the method by which he did this violated the college sidewalk chalk policy, which requires students to obtain permission from the Dean of Students.

"In this recent case, I was surpised to walk on campus and see the chalking myself since I knew that no one had requested for approval," Dean of Students Chris Ogle says. "By the time I got in my office I already had four emails from concerned students."

In response, Ogle requested removal of the markings.

"The plant department certainly has enough to do. I don't appreciate that I have to have them drop what they should be doing in order to address something like this," Ogle says. "It seems to me whoever's responsible ought to absorb the costs because it's costing the institution money."

Although the campus markings violate college policy, Ripon Police Captain Chris Stieber says writings on city sidewalks do not violate any city ordinances.

Markings in the city of Ripon included the downtown and at the middle and high schools.

"Nobody's complained to find out who did it. We aren't going to be taking any action at this point," Stieber says. "I don't recall this type of message ever being put on sidewalks in the area, at least in the time I've been here, so this is kind of a first."

At the college, Ogle says he suspects the most appropriate route will be for J-Board to consider the matter and proper response

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