UW-Madison increases Halloween alternatives

In partnership with the Wisconsin Union Directorate and the Associated Students of Madison, the University of Wisconsin–Madison will increase the number of opportunities for students to participate in off-State Street events during the upcoming Halloween weekend, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28.

“We’ve consistently heard about the need for additional spaces for events for students who want to have a different Halloween experience,” says Dawn Crim, assistant director of community relations in the Office of the Chancellor.

To accommodate student demand for non-State Street events, Union South will be used as a primary site of gatherings to be organized by registered student organizations (RSOs).

WUD will be accepting applications from RSOs interested in hosting an activity or event on a first-come, first-served basis. Although several events have already been booked, space for large and small gatherings remains available.

The addition of Union South space will allow for a larger number of student events than in the past two years, Crim says. Attendance at events and programs will be limited to UW–Madison students, faculty, staff and Union members, and alcohol service will not be permitted after 9 p.m.

For more information on reserving space, contact Central Reservations, centralreso@union.wisc.edu, or Kristina Mueller of the Wisconsin Union Directorate at kjmueller2@wisc.edu.

In addition to Union South events, there will be numerous Badger athletic events taking place on campus, including volleyball vs. Penn State and Ohio State, hockey games vs. Boston College and football vs. Illinois. Complete details on those events are available at http://www.uwbadgers.com/.

For students planning on celebrating Halloween on State Street, UW–Madison has a similar set of expectations as in past year, says interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam.

As in the past, nonresidents will not be allowed in University Housing Friday-Sunday, Oct. 27-29. University police will be on hand to enforce the policy. Campus parking will also be limited.

The recent history of the event makes it particularly important for everyone to take responsibility for their actions and to think about their own safety and the safety of others, Berquam adds.

“Students engaging in criminal behavior that impacts other members of the university community – on or off campus – can face sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion, both of which affect could affect student status at the UW–Madison,” Berquam says.

As is practice, the Offices of the Dean of Students will review every case of student criminal behavior for possible application of nonacademic misconduct under UW System Administrative Code, Chapter 17.

Information about criminal behavior by guests from other colleges or universities will be forwarded back to home campus student affairs staffs for possible adjudication.

In addition, UWPD will assist the Madison Police Department and other state and local law enforcement agencies policing Halloween.