City and campus officials are holding a meeting with students Thursday to discuss the future of the Mifflin Street block party and possible solutions that could improve safety at the annual event.
"I do think it's important we begin the conversation now," Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. "We will really delve into it over the winter break."
Following violent incidents and many arrests, Verveer said city officials plan to explain "how we got where we are and why a lot of us are not happy."
Results from the Associated Students of Madison Student Survey to gauge student interest in the block party will be presented and discussed with
Mifflin-area residents and students at the meeting, which will be hosted by Verveer, Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. and ASM.
According to Verveer, police were intentionally asked not to attend the meeting to allow students to feel more comfortable when sharing students their opinions.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said the rules at Mifflin need to be consistent. He said alcohol policies and what you can or cannot be arrested for vary each year.
"Every year the rules of [the block party] change," Resnick said. "Students year to year are baffled."
Another issue he plans to address is possible ways to make the block party for Madison residents only.
"UW students need to take back this event," Resnick said. "There are strategies we will be discussing to really go about that."
The meeting will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Madison Senior Center located at 333 W. Main Street.
