Anyways, Patrick, take it away.
-DeMi
______________________________________________________________________________
- Awhile back, you guys asked me if I would like to write something for MoT. Madison's Dean of Students has made public her opinion on the Mifflin Street Block Party, with a video, and an e-mail to follow up. I replied to her e-mail. Below is a link to her video(first posted), then her e-mail, then my e-mail.
"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13Oz3IvrHk
Students,
By now, I'm sure you've probably heard my feelings about May 5th
Mifflin Street block party. Or seen the autotune or dubstep remixes.
My video debut wasn't elegant, but I want you to know that I've spent the past
week listening to your feedback about the event and how approach it this year,
and in the future. Today, I have a few final thoughts about it, and you're free
to agree or disagree with them. But I continue this conversation for one reason:
As dean, I'm always concerned for your safety.
I continue to believe there are many better things you could do with your
Saturday than spend it at an outdoor drinking party. If you need inspiration,
head to the lakes, go to the farmers' market or take a look at our campus events
calendar: <http://today.wisc.edu/events/day/2012-05-05>
I also understand that some students plan to attend the event, and I respect
your right to decide. By this point, I think you're are aware of the risks
involved, particularly after last year's serious issues. My goal is to see you
stay safe while you're here and then go out and do great things in the world.
I'd ask you to observe the city's rules of the event and listen to police and
city officials. As you know, you could be liable for fines and my office will
review your conduct should you be cited. You can find more information about how
to stay safe here: <http://safeu.wisc.edu/protect/halloween-mifflin.html>
Lastly, I'd ask you to honor everyone's right to live and feel safe in the
Madison community, including fellow students and campus neighbors. Mixing
Mifflin with ethnic stereotypes related to Cinco de Mayo isn't funny, and is
actually offensive to many members of our campus community. Before you go out
this weekend, ask yourself: By combining this event with Cinco de Mayo, are you
honoring a culture, or are you reinforcing cultural stereotypes?
Please look out for your friends and fellow students. Take care of one another
this weekend and through the rest of this semester.
Thanks for listening,
Lori Berquam
Dean of Students"
Dean Berquam,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your opinions with the student body, as well as describe to you my views on the matter, so that you may learn the perspective of a student here at the UW. In doing so, I hope to explain my perceptions on how the MAJORITY of the student body views the Mifflin Street Block Party.
First, I would like to begin with thanks. Although I must sadly admit that I do not believe that most students care, I would like you to know that I feel blessed that my dean of students cares so deeply about my future, as well as the futures of those around me. I am very lucky to be able to say that my family has never fallen short in expressing their support for me, but this luck does not befall all of my peers. Selflessness is most certainly a virtue, and you show your selflessness through your passion for your students. The world often lacks this kindness, and I thank you for employing it.
Now, on to the Mifflin Street Block Party. I believe that the MAJORITY of students do not see the party as an excuse to break the law without reprimand. This stigma comes partly from those who travel to our campus from nearby (or not so nearby) schools and high schools. I feel--and this may be an instance where I am not speaking for the majority--that an ever increasing proportion of these "visitors" are not under the same impressions as the typical student.
It is my understanding that, apart from a stretch in the nineties, 2005, and obviously 2011, Mifflin has been a relatively safe event. Clearly, it would be wrong to call it a hands-down "safe" event, but it has certainly been one without malicious intent. A significant number of students drink enough to make them undesirable. While this may make the event uncouth, it does not necessarily make the event unsafe. As fellow Badgers--and I know that this IS an instance where I speak for the majority--we take care of one another. I have seen countless acts where a fellow badger goes out of their way to help another. In an instance where a student has had too much to drink, their friends never think twice about what to do; helping your friend, however short-sighted their decisions may have been, is the only option.
Unfortunately, there are the bad apples coming in from out of town who do not understand the camaraderie present here on campus. In addition, there are a select few Badgers who DO see the event in a different light, in their minds attending a carousal, bordering on riot. These undesirables are often beyond the control of the student body and its given resources. It is my opinion that there should be as much coordination between the student body, the University of Wisconsin and it's board of regents, and the City of Madison as is possible. It certainly seems that there HAVE been attempts at this.
Last year, the city attempted to provide a concession in that the street would be blocked off, and open containers would be allowed to those who were of age. I was appalled at the amount of people drinking on the street who did not have a wristband. I was even more appalled at the behavior of the officers, who seemingly ignored the crime. While I suppose they may have been pre-occupied with more important things, I believe that the event became much more rowdy, and therefore dangerous, than had the wristband policy been heavily enforced. This year, a new policy is in place, which seems decent on paper…however, I am not sure that it will play out so smoothly. I know multiple residents of Mifflin Street, and I know that all of them were hesitant to the idea of signing an agreement with the police. They felt as if it might be a trap, putting them in a situation where they were sure to get in trouble, regardless of their intent.
All of this could be avoided if the event would just go away. Unfortunately, a crackdown by police, with the City refusing to acknowledge the existence of the event, would not work. I do not believe that the event can be forced into submission. The badger is an incredibly tough nosed animal, and the Badgers are likewise. Our adamant nature would keep the event in existence in light of any governmental action. This being the case, I laud the efforts of the UW and the City of Madison. At the end of the day, I am proud of the UW and the City of Madison for attempting to make things work. The only thing that upsets me is that I have never been asked to give my opinion on the matter. There may have been meetings, open to students, to discuss possible solutions, but I was not aware of any such meetings. If there were, it is partly my fault for not seeking them out, but it is also partly the fault of "the powers that be", for they did not value my opinion enough to seek it.
In no way have I meant to make this a critique of the handling of Mifflin Street Block Party, but simply my impression of the opinion of the student body, so that you might better know our views on the topic. It is possible that I have failed in respect to the critique, but nonetheless, I feel that it is important that our views be expressed. I also feel that it is important that you understand how grateful I am for your passion. It makes me feel safer as a Badger, and a citizen of Madison.
Thank you for listening,
-J. Patrick H. Stephens
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