With the dangerous effects of house parties in mind, the Policy Alternative Community and Education coalition is hosting a forum tonight to obtain input from students and community members from 5 to 7 p.m. in Tripp Commons at Memorial Union.
Representatives from PACE, working to minimize negative consequences of high-risk drinking, said they intend to find possible solutions to violence, sexual assaults, vandalism and health risks associated with binge drinking.
The forum will be the first step in PACE's effort to suggest methods of managing house parties.
PACE director Susan Crowley said she hopes those attending the forum will take an interest in reducing the negative effects of house parties.
\We expect some sort of work group to come out of the discussion that would have broad campus and community participation,"" she said.
The group will hold its first meeting in November and will continue to meet throughout the academic year to discuss party safety.
Crowley said PACE members plan to use UW-Madison student newspapers to announce the group's recommendations as well as rely on members of Associated Students of Madison to inform the student body of group actions.
A common misconception among students is that PACE seeks to prohibit student drinking, according to John Lucas of University Communications.
""[PACE's goal] is not about trying to stop people from drinking or shutting down house parties. It's really about safety and education,"" he said.
Some student organizations have begun posing solutions to the dangers of house parties.
ASM's Alcohol Issues Campaign encourages someone who is sober to supervise house parties, according to Drew Horn, chair of the Alcohol Issues Campaign of ASM.
One of the goals of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment is to raise awareness of the role alcohol plays in sexual assaults, according to Stephanie Byrnes, chair of PAVE.
According to a survey published by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 75 percent of male college students and 55 percent of female college students surveyed who were involved in a rape had been drinking or using drugs at the time of the assault.
The project for house party safety is the first of four goals on PACE's agenda for the next four years. In the future, the coalition plans to address the issue of drink specials, clarify and raise awareness of UW-Madison policies and regulations and improve parental involvement/notification at UW-Madison.