Trinity SJP Forced to Disband Amid Chalk Shortage in Connecticut.

Ivan T Morehead ’27

Bag Master

Last week, the state of Connecticut announced a serious chalk shortage across the state. The news has caused a trying time for playgrounds and lecture halls in the area, but at Trinity it is most intensely felt by the Student Justice for Palestine (SJP) organization. The activist group had its last meeting on Thursday, and directly attributes their decision to terminate the organization to the chalk shortage. 

Donny Julio ‘27, a spokesperson for SJP commented to the Tripod, “Of course we are disappointed. We had big plans for this upcoming semester in terms of programming. We were going to do something unique and completely outside the box — some real, serious, groundbreaking activism. But because there’s no chalk, we are forced to curb any action for the foreseeable future.” When asked specifically what projects the organization had to abandon, Julio replied “I dunno, probably more chalk.” 

Connecticut Chalk Works, a subset of Big Chalk, was suspended earlier this month due to overmining sea fossils and suspected child labor practices. “Whoop-dee-doo” was the company’s official statement, according to their website. The shortage affects the state from the Danbury to Putnam area, with a high tax on chalk, with many craft stores ceasing to sell the drawing utensil altogether. “Goddamn you, Big Chalk,” Julio proclaimed, raising his fist towards the sky. “Curses! A million curses upon your head!” 

Students across campus had their concerns about the change, and took to standing outside President Lugo’s office on Friday to demand answers. Due to the lack of chalk, students held blank signs instead to voice their frustration. “This is very serious,” President Dan Lugo told the Tripod, “students using signs is extremely hazardous to our community. It borders on aggression. What’s next, raising their voices? Stamping their feet?” Despite the threat to campus safety, Lugo stood outside his office to address student concerns. “How will this shortage affect the coke scene?” One distraught sophomore pledge asked. “Not at all,” President Lugo assured the student body. “Let’s not get dramatic. I would never let that happen.” “That’s what’s up,” the student replied, wiping his nose surely out of emotion. 

Despite the shortage, Trinity’s Hillel assures students that their Chalk Art Shabbat event will commence as scheduled. “Hell yeah, we got chalk,” Alexander Nadelburg ’26 announced via Instagram story.