The date for the Mifflin Street block party has been officially changed from May 6, 2006 to April 29, 2006, according to Associated Students of Madison members, who held their kick-off meeting Wednesday. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, confirmed the date change.
\ASM-and I think they deserve credit for this-has really come out in front on Mifflin,"" Verveer said.
However, many students said they attended the ASM meeting to learn about the fate of this year's Halloween. These students were lured in by large posters on campus proclaiming ""Halloween to be cancelled,"" advertisements in the student newspapers and clowns on Library Mall handing out flyers.
""That was our hook to get people to come to the meeting,"" ASM Chair Eric Varney said.
Despite the Halloween advertisements over past week, the holiday event was not the main topic.
ASM's Shared Governance Committee addressed Halloween in a short skit-one of many at Wednesday's meeting.
Also at the meeting was a picture of students crowding around a giant pumpkin with a clown popping out of it, saying ""Don't Carve out Students' Rights."" Riddles and candy added to the Halloween spirit.
Though ASM did not explain their Halloween plans in detail during the kick-off, members told The Daily Cardinal they are meeting with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz to ensure that festivities are not discontinued.
""The mayor has said several times that if problems arise this Halloween, next year's Halloween will be cancelled,"" ASM Campus Relations Chair Samantha Ziesemer said. ""We are working towards having no riots or problems this year so next year we can continue to have a fun and safe Halloween.""
As for this year's party, ASM is fighting against the new policy restricting guests in the dorms.
""We are having students sign petitions for trying to save Halloween, going against the 'no guests in the dorms policy' and we want to try to have alternative activities on State Street in the future,"" said Dylan Rath, UW-Madison junior and ASM vice-chair and recruitment chair.
ASM is also planning to hold a listening forum in early October that will be open to administration, police and students.
""Basically our main goal is to make sure the students are involved in the decision making processes of the UW administration,"" Ziesemer said.
