WILMINGTON — UNCW is extending its space reservation system to its spirit rocks next week after a conflict over the rock being painted with the late Charlie Kirk’s image last month.
READ MORE: UNCW cancels 3 events as part of ‘freedom of expression’ pause
ALSO: UNCW investigating threats, including ‘militia’ presence, after Charlie Kirk vigil sparks turbulence
A new reservation system will go into affect on Monday, Oct. 6, at 8 a.m. At that time, the university will also lift its pause on freedom of expression events in the amphitheater or Wagoner Dining Hall lawn, which went into effect on Sept. 22.
“The spirit rocks’ reservation system will allow these platforms to support freedom of expression and minimize any material or substantial disruption to the campus,” UNCW wrote in a statement Friday.
The rocks, one outside the Fisher Student Union and another by Wagoner Dining Hall, have not been previously monitored by the university. They are not explicitly for political use, though political messages have been painted on the rock; more often, the structures are used to promote events, university groups or student art.
The university asked students to leave artwork and messaging in place for at least 24 hours before repainting as a courtesy, though no university policy stipulated this. Now, the 24-hour time limit is mandated.
According to the university’s updated display policy, reservation requests must be made via the Campus Reservation System at least 48 hours before the requested date. Reservations can be made seven days a week, except when the university is fully closed and facilities are not in operation.
Once a request is processed, the 24-hour reservation window for the Spirit Rock is from 9 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. the following day. Painting may begin no earlier than 9 a.m. on the first day of the reservation and must be completed within the 24-hour reservation window. Additionally, a spirit rock may only be reserved two times in a seven-day period by the same student, staff member, or department/student organization, though each both rocks can be reserved simultaneously if available.
The policy notes a message will stay up until a new reservation is made, though the university reserves the ability to paint the rock with its messaging if not reserved. If a Spirit Rock is painted over during a reserved time period by an unapproved party, campus personnel will return the rock to a blank slate at their earliest convenience.
The new reservation requirement comes after a week of unrest at the campus, kicked off by a Sept. 15 candlelight vigil for Kirk, right-wing political activist who was shot at a public debate event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. UNCW students painted Kirk’s image on the school’s spirit rock for the event; the next day, the rock was covered in blue paint, leading to a confrontation among students, some who were splashed with paint. It was unclear whether the repainting occurred within the 24 hour courtesy, but because no policy stipulated students wait, the students who repainted the rock were within their right to do so.
The incident picked up national attention from Fox News and the New York Post, and on social media, where one account claimed an “nc group militia” was tracking students and staff that have posted “hateful rhetoric” regarding Kirk. It also came with a threat that some would show up Friday to “take care of the problem.”
Subsequently, a threat was made in the early hours Thursday morning, requiring evacuation of Randall Library and Discovery Hall.
By Thursday evening, the campus was issued a lockdown after reports came in claiming there was a person carrying a gun on campus, prompting law enforcement sweep from local, state and federal agencies. The reports were ruled a false alarm, though classes were canceled Friday. Students returned Monday, Sept. 22, to increased police presence at the main campus entrances and via foot. Campus police also expanded its team with additional law enforcement personnel to further strengthen coverage and provide enhanced visibility across campus, according to the university.
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