When the Free Expression Tunnel closed down for construction, many people lost the place that they would use as a means of making announcements, celebrating special events or expressing themselves.

When they took that away from the public, they offered a replacement in the form of the Free Expression Wall–plywood covering the fence surrounding the construction area.

People have been content and, according to Sgt. Jon Barnwell, a crime prevention officer with public safety, graffiti has been kept to a minimum.

“Really there hasn’t been any more graffiti than normal outside of the Free Expression Wall, something we’re very proud of,” Barnwell said. “I mean there is always graffiti to some degree; there will always be that one person who does it on a street sign or someplace else.”

This has been noticed by not just the Public Safety and Campus Police, but also by regular students.

“I haven’t seen any extra graffiti around campus,” Matthew Veety, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, said.

Carol Squillace, a senior in biological sciences and Spanish, said she has noticed an increase in spray painting outside the Free Expression Wall.

“I actually think there is a bit more graffiti,” Squillace said. “Ever since they closed down the Free Expression Tunnel, I’ve seen more graffiti pop up in the other tunnel that is used to connect the two parts of campus.”

The Free Expression Wall had originally served its purpose as a means of release, but many students believe that the wall just doesn’t live up to its predecessor.

“With the tunnel, pretty much everyone saw what went up in there since it was the major connection between the two parts of campus. The wall, however, is only really seen by the people who live in dorms on campus, despite its accessibility,” Squillace said.

Campus Police and Public Safety hope that the wall continues to serve as an appropriate substitute for the Free Expression Tunnel until the renovations and construction are finished.