In what was billed as an open forum on future policy regarding the regulation of house parties, the Policy Alternative Community and Education coalition saw less than a dozen UW-Madison students show up Wednesday at Memorial Union Tripp Commons to voice concerns.
However, the discussion between the students and about 40 adults, including representatives from the Mayor's office, the City Council, the Madison Police Department, UW-Madison and other vested parties, was productive in starting a dialogue on the dangers surrounding unregulated house parties, according to PACE director Sue Crowley.
\The students who did show up were very thoughtful in their comments,"" she said. ""It was a very respectful discussion overall.""
Many of the attendants discussed the lack of options students do have when parties get to a dangerous level.
UW-Madison senior Cory Kunzer, who said he made more than $2,000 when he threw house parties with six to eight kegs, admitted house parties do get out of hand but that the hosts do not have any options since calling the police results in possible fines.
""Its hard to turn away people once it gets to be too big,"" he said. ""The people throwing the parties don't want to get busted.""
However, UW-Madison Police Officer Tim Strassman said since the students are running parties as make shift bars with ""$5 cups and three shots for $2"" they deserve the fines.
""You're in a business so the consequences come with it,"" he said, but added it is better to call the police and face possible fines instead of running the risk of someone dying. ""When in doubt call 911,"" he said.
While no definite policy goals were set, other topics of discussion included better education of incoming freshmen about how to drink responsibly, as well as limiting the size of parties.
""Parties spread like wildfire in the dorms,"" UW-Madison senior Lisa Gianforte said. ""Freshman are an amazing target to make a lot of money on.\
