A majority of Madison citizens, including some at City Hall, don't typically consider students to be residents of this city. We live and vote here — what else defines citizenship? For those discrediting students, take a good look around. What would your city look like without University of Wisconsin? Without the flagship institution of the UW System, Madison would be little more than the state capitol sitting in the midst of a manure-laden field between two lakes.
At the time Halloween rolls around every year, residents and city officials are quick to judge the event as providing little to no benefit to the community. Although students at the university probably have the most fun, sometimes at the expense of the entire community, the rest of Madison needs to realize it benefits as well. Hordes of residents, out-of-town guests, and students gather for this non-sponsored party, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into local business establishments.
Yes, not all people reap the benefits of the Halloween shindig, but everyone is better off by the university being here. UW has a payroll of approximately 16,000 employees, plus all of the other indirect jobs it provides to the community. In addition, UW offers excellent libraries, a top-notch medical facility, and a certain element to the cultural atmosphere in Madison. If students want to have a little fun, residents should take a long hard look and realize we provide a lot of benefits to them and we should be entitled to have such an event.
It is also important to note only 13 percent of all arrests last Halloween were students at UW — the remainder being comprised of students from other schools, guests, and Madison residents. I wonder if the city has statistics of how many arrests were Madison residents who were non-UW students; there are many residents who attend the party as well as students. Those residents bashing Halloween and students altogether should realize students love Madison — some even call it home despite the fact they grew up 500 miles away. Why are residents not receptive to students?
Every year after Halloween, residents and students alike complain about what went wrong and how things could have been better. Instead of waiting until after the event, stakeholders should meet now to learn about what they can do to ensure a safe Halloween. Students are invited to attend the Halloween Student Forum tonight at 7 p.m. in 1121 Humanities to learn more about the proposed plans and to talk with key decision makers. As residents of the City of Madison, we have every right to throw a party and we definitely should.
Eric Varney ([email protected]) is the chair of Associated Students of Madison and a senior majoring in finance, marketing and history.
