Talks have been in the works for months — years actually — playing with the idea of “officializing” the Mifflin Street Block party, either in conjunction with the university or local businesses. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, has been the frontrunner for the cause, pushing community dialogues and discussions surrounding the party.

Verveer was quoted in a recent Herald article, arguing, “Frankly, I think the event is broken. There are many folks in Madison that think it’s absurd this tradition has lasted for 40 years.” The Madison Police Department, along with city officials and fed up residents, are looking to implant some order into the notoriously rowdy party. Specifically, they have pointed out reducing arrests and property damage by increasing signage to make city alcohol ordinances more clear. Supporters say additional measures would make the party safer for students.

Verveer’s push, however, goes beyond signage and would transform the event into an organized, sponsored event possibly resembling a scaled-down Freakfest. A sponsorship would likely mean some sort of admission charge, and Verveer and others have mentioned live music as well.

Verveer has good intentions to which many students surely can relate. I could count on one hand the people who don’t have a friend or a friend of a friend who has been burglarized, arrested, hurt, urinated upon or worse at one of the yearly Mifflin block parties.

Residents of the area, although aware of what they are signing up for when signing the lease, undergo 24 hours of chaos at their front door and endless more hours of cleaning afterward. The city of Madison and the university are burdened with the expense of extra officers for support, many of whom cannot be patrolling the rest of the city that day, as well as damage to city property. Mifflin is costly, messy and out of control, which is exactly why it makes no sense for sponsorship, especially by the university.

Interestingly enough, after Verveer approached the Wisconsin Union Directorate about the sponsorship, they seemed to be considering it. After further consideration, however, the Union ultimately decided to decline due to cost and time issues, according to President Jack Rolling. Verveer believes, to his disappointment, that the university advised WUD to decline sponsorship.

I can’t imagine a more likely scenario than someone from the chancellor’s office wildly flailing their arms “no” to university involvement in Mifflin, with the threat of a big, fat lawsuit as reason enough to stay away. Verveer should have seen that one coming.

Aside from the obvious implications university involvement in Mifflin could have for them, it would certainly not work in the students’ favor either. While we tear each other apart in the debate over segregated fees and the new union, Mifflin involvement could very likely raise them even more. Additionally, student conduct at the event could be used against them in disciplinary action. A wild Saturday for a perfectly responsible student might mean suspension, fines or even expulsion. What I do the weekend before finals is not the university’s business.

Undeterred by WUD’s vote last Wednesday to decline sponsorship, Verveer has vowed to continue looking for Mifflin sponsorship elsewhere. He has spoken with the Majestic, along with other possible candidates. He has suggested organization sponsorship could ease relations between students and police, possibly reducing arrests and increasing safety. I find this hard to believe.

Sponsorship, especially the type which would require an admission fee, would not solve the problem. While the presence of more music and food vendors would certainly help create more direction for the daylong event, any further structure would turn it into an organizational nightmare. Borders would have to be set, funding secured for equipment, big-name performers and even more police presence, and red tape stuck to every inch of the celebration.

While I very much look forward to the last “Mifflin” of my time at the University of Wisconsin, I can’t help but wonder how long the event will last. Longtime Madisonians and UW alums insist it isn’t what it used to be and hasn’t been for a long time. Tensions between students and police, along with rising costs from the event make it more of a thorn in the city’s side rather than a quirky part of its appeal. And although Verveer, bless his heart, is looking for a way to continue and improve the beloved student party, I just can’t see it happening. It might stick around in one form or another, but you can only keep a good thing going for so long.

Laura Brennan ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in communicative disorders.