After weeks of debate, students won a victory Thursday when Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced the date of Mifflin Street Block Party is officially April 30.

This year’s block party was nearly a go for two separate weekends with students inevitably set to celebrate April 30 and then again on the “almost official” date of May 7. However, now that the earlier date has been set, preserving the University of Wisconsin study day, students must respect the police presence and refrain from partying May 7.

In recent years, Mifflin has been a relatively peaceful celebration among the thousands that congregate and the police that attempt to regulate the situation. Police have rarely cracked down on those partying responsibly and students have typically been respectful. Despite threats of increased intolerance on the part of the police and hostility from students, we urge both sides to approach this block party as they have in the past. This is necessary to preserve the integrity of the celebration for future years.

City officials and students should also work together in the future to ensure such a mishap does not occur. Academic calendars are released years in advance, making the quick date check simple.

Regardless, a certain amount of praise must be directed toward the campus leaders and select city officials, namely Ald. Mike Verveer, Dist. 4, who lobbied for the earlier date putting studies in mind. Congratulations students for taking a stand and sticking to it. Now, let’s party.