The Spirit Wall is back. Previously located behind Thwing Center, it was taken down due to the construction of the Tinkham Veale University Center. However, it’s back now, and larger than ever before.

“The purpose of the Spirit Wall, in my eyes, is a venue for student organizations and groups and students in general on campus to advertise to the community,” said Taylor Gladys, president of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).

Gladys also believes that organizations can use the Spirit Wall for more creative purposes.

“If people want to advertise for an event or put a statement out there for people to see, food for thought, I think [the Spirit Wall] is a cool community thing we have going,” she added.

To post on the wall, students have to adhere to the policies enforced by the Division of Student Affairs. Students can only paint the wall between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and messages must be appropriate.

Violations of these policies may result in fines and additional actions. The security cameras in the vicinity of the Spirit Wall should help discourage these violations and any vandalism.

The Spirit Wall was initially taken down last year, with the intention of having students use the media wall in the University Center instead.

“There was a small focus group of students that met with the administration about it,” said Gladys. “We really wanted to keep [the Spirit Wall], so that’s why they ended up putting it back up.”

The new Spirit Wall got off to a bit of a rocky start, when several student groups’ work was painted over this past weekend. According to Gladys, the wall was supposed to be painted white before student groups started using it, but, due to a misunderstanding, it was not painted until recently, and some groups who had already posted found that their hard work was in vain.

Now, though, the hulking white wall is ready for use as an open template for student expression, fostering a quirkier college atmosphere. A few student groups have even already made their marks.