In theory, it sounds like a good idea. The potential problem is if ASM tries to make Mifflin into something it isn't, i.e. giving it a cause instead of it just being a drinking party.

I do have to say I think it's funny how outside sources really think they can control when this party is. What are the cops going to do? Arrest everybody? Guess what happens then, a riot starts after nearly a decade of peaceful drunkeness on Mifflin. The spin would be terrible for the MPD, as it would make them look responsible for all of the Halloween problems.

Hasn't the party always been on May 7? How did the city fail by continuing to plan for the party on the traditional date? And how many kids really have exams on that Sunday? And why can't you just drink all afternoon and crash at 6pm or so to wake up feeling great (or, if this were any other school in any other state I would recommend just not drinking)?

"As every University of Wisconsin student is now well aware, city officials inadvertently undercut this year's tradition..."

Inadvertent? Hardly. The city's actions fit the recent general pattern of hostility towards such traditional student events as Halloween, and now Mifflin.

Mayor Dave would be happy to see Halloween festivities wither to nothing, and I can't imagine him going out of his way to encourage the Mifflin Block Party in any way.

If the lack of communication between the University Police (who surely must be aware of such University functions as Finals) and City of Madison Police is so poor as to create this funding "crisis" then it is their problem, solely of their own creation, and due to their own ineptitude.

Students - dont forget that the Mifflin Street Block Party is for you. It is not and has never been sponsored by the ASM, nor should it be. ASM involvement can only promise added interference as well as the mediocrity they have come to represent. It also is not a gift of the city to bestow upon you; nor does it exist by the grace and approval of any UW Official.

If you have ever attended a Mifflin Street Block Party, you know how great an event it can be when things go Right... although many of you are probably too young to remember what can happen when things go Wrong. Things go Right when there is an active cooperation and understanding between the participants and the authorities - and things go Wrong when these two groups fail to connect and compromise. The attempts by the authorities to undercut this year's party through bureaucratic manuevering will certainly not help things go Right.

To the dumbass who said "hasn't the party always been on May 7?" What are you, a freshman? Or some square who's never actually been to Mifflin?

I'll correct you. In fact, Mifflin has traditionally been held on the first Saturday in May. Now, it should be pretty obvious that only once in 7 years does the traditional day fall on May 7. And it just so happens that in this particular year, that date also happens to be the University's official "study day."

How difficult could it have been for the City to realize that holding such an event the day before finals would be a problem? Or perhaps it was scheduled that day on purpose to quell our favorite party (obviously not yours--go home). In either case, you're an idiot.

Finally, a BH columnist has hinted at what the real problem is: this university's bizarre finals schedules. If we actually had class end on a Friday and finals start on a Monday, there'd be no issue.

"Now, it should be pretty obvious that only once in 7 years does the traditional day fall on May 7."

Thats so obvious, I mean come on! What are you an astrologer?

I am in full support of having the party whenever the students want it. However one of the posters above said that "City of Madison Police is so poor as to create this funding "crisis" then it is their problem," technically it is the tax payers problem. The police are not going to pay the extra money, the taxpayers are. So on April 30th make sure to slam an extra one for the madison area property owners!
Peace.

"Now, it should be pretty obvious that only once in 7 years does the traditional day fall on May 7."

So obvious, in fact, that the statement is dead wrong. Or did we forget leap years?

ASM isn't really going to 'sponsor' in the manner that 'sponsorship' usually entails. Sponsor, in this case, means we make it clear to the police and mayor that as the student government, we're saying it's April 30th, period. It's not like seg fees will be used or ASM will create rules for it, etc. As many have pointed out, in actuality, the mayor and police have no true say in when we hold it. We are, however, holding meetings with the mayor's office (this afternoon, in fact) to convince Mayor Dave to support it on the 30th, so as to avoid heavy fines, noise ordinances, and pesky interferences by the police that are becoming a pattern that is cause for student concern.

I think it's important to remember that ASM is a Student Organization. Council Reps are students, too. I want to get drunk on April 30th like the rest of you, as does most of council, and that's why we're trying to do what we can as the student government to resolve this impending authority-student crisis before it happens. While students don't have a particularly high view of the organization, it does hold some weight in the Mayor's Office and the Capitol as the official student body voice. Whether or not that's justified, I'll let you decide.

It's true that ASM gets alot of critism. I'll even admit that a great deal of it is valid. But ASM is honestly doing the right thing with this one, so it'd be nice if some of you who feel that ASM is "mediocre and only interferes" would start objectively looking at what we're trying to do, instead of touting your tired talking points. It's not about interference; hell, I wish the need for our involvement didn't exist. But it does, and whether you appreciate our efforts or not, we're going to do what we can to put your preferences into action. This is so simple; it's about representing the student body and fulfilling its wishes. And no one can deny that ASM, on this issue, is somehow "out-of-touch" with the student body.

So please, back off a little. We're trying to help. Please give us that chance.

Andrew Gordon
ASM Student Council Rep.

Let's use this debacle to argue a more valid point.......why do we have finals on SUNDAYS?????/

Stop blaming the city and quit your whining. It should be up to the students to inform the city when the party is going to occur. It is not the city's oversight, but the student's oversight.
Consider yourselves lucky that the city is even willing to cooperate instead of tear-gassing everyone.

To the poster above who called me a dumbass. Sorry, what I meant to say was the first Saturday in May, I graduated in 99, was in the riot in 97 and I am quite familiar with the block party (we went through 33 half-barrels at the corner of mifflin and basset in 97). My point is, it has always been the first week of May, the city isn't changing it. The city doesn't have a duty check with you every year to make sure things will be done this year as they have been for the last 40-odd years. Don't be a baby. You have an exam Sunday? Suck it up and get drunk anyway or don't go and get over it. This sense of entitlement is the reason people outside of downtown think most college kids are bitches.

"So obvious, in fact, that the statement is dead wrong. Or did we forget leap years?"

This year, the first Saturday in May is the 7th. 365/7 = 52 weeks, one day. So next year, the 7th will be a Sunday. The party will be on the 6th. The year after, it will be the 5th. Then, because of leap year, it will be the 3rd. In 2009, it will be the 2nd. In 2010, it will be the 1st. 2011, 7th. 2012, 5th.

2013 4th
2014 3rd
2015 2nd
2016 7th
2017 6th
2018 5th
2019 4th
2020 2nd
2021 1st
2022 7th
2023 6th
2024 4th
2025 3rd
2026 2nd
2027 1st
2028 6th
2029 5th
2030 4th
2031 3rd
2032 1st
2033 7th

The cycle repeats after that (indeed, every 28 years). Until we get to 2400. But anyway, as you can see there are 4 times every 28 years that the first Saturday in May is the 7th. The last time it happened was 10 years ago, so it is true that it doesn't repeat every 7 years. Instead, the cycle repeats every 28 years, and May 7th falls on a Saturday 4 times during those 28.

Who's the dumbass now, dumbass!

Wow, some people have a lot of time on their hands. Sheesh.

To suggest that ASM can do much of anything is rather far fetched.

^^ Wow, what a profound statement!

I don't think Mifflin Street Party is in any need of saving--April 30th here we come!

"Who's the dumbass now, dumbass!"

Let me check...

Yep, it's still you.

"Or don't go"

Wow.. We got a PACE member in here..

Why'd you come to UW-Madison if you don't agree with the drinking and craziness?

You could have went to Harvard.. or are you too stupid and got stuck with your backup, UW-Madison? In which case, you should still drink away your misery of being not good enough ;)

"Why'd you come to UW-Madison if you don't agree with the drinking and craziness?"

Personlly, I don't care either way. Go, don't do -- it makes no difference to me. But why do you assume that people come here just to get drunk and party? If that's all you care about, why go to college? You could save a lot of money staying home and partying there. And then we wouldn't have to listen to you whine about how you're too poor to pay your tuition, even though you have plenty of money for beer.