MayFest deserves to be a tradition if students keep the party under control

The eve of MayFest is upon the Syracuse University campus. It's (arguably) one of the landmark events of the spring semester, with Block Party coming in at a close second. And why wouldn't it be - a day off from classes for students to do whatever they want, which of course means a lot of partying and drinking.

It's a (for the most part) well-deserved break right before finals. Even with the university's push to get more students involved in SU Showcase, realistically the student turnout on campus Tuesday will be very low. With this being the fifth year of the Euclid Avenue block party, students should know how it works and keep playing by the unofficial "rules" of MayFest.

The police already cut students a lot of breaks on MayFest. They generally tend to overlook the copious amounts of outdoor beer pong games and the fact that a large percentage of the population walking up and down Euclid are underage. The police pretty much just ask that students don't drink in the streets and don't do anything wildly belligerent like get up on their rooftops or start fights and riots. Livingstock, a riot that ruined an annual block party on Livingston Avenue in 1999, is something that students should still keep in mind, even 11 years later, as something to be avoided.

So as long as the police allow students a day of fun, students should show the same amount of respect in return. Play by the police's decidedly lenient rules, and everyone has a good time. Respect your non-student neighbors too, even if they may not be particularly in favor of MayFest activities.

Though the tentative forecast for Tuesday calls for rain, the party is sure to still go on, just indoors. Enjoy the day off, enjoy time with your friends - the Euclid party is one of SU's traditions that deserves to go on as long as students don't break the unofficial "rules" of MayFest.