When East Lansing officials enacted harsh penalties to quell disruptive party noise two months ago, an uproar among MSU students ensued.
In the first 10 weekends of enforcing the policy that calls for jail time and steep fines, East Lansing police cited the hosts of just four parties - 11 individuals - as the volume on the streets diminished.
And the past eight weekends have come and gone with no citations under the stiffened policy, a sign the party scene in this college town has been tempered by a fear of swift consequences.
East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler said the calm is a result of a clear message from community leaders that unruly parties are not acceptable.
"Everybody is understanding they can't infringe on the peace and quiet of others," Liebler said, adding that cold weather and the waning semester contributes to reducing problem parties.
Even as noise decreases, campus leaders have vowed to continue their fight to amend the policy.
Student leaders continue to argue that jail time is not a reasonable punishment for loud partying. They also contend that the council didn't seriously include students when crafting the policy.
"We are still fighting hard, and we are hoping council won't take the stance that they will just let it sit and hope people forget about it," said Kevin Glandon, vice chairperson for external affairs for ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.
It is an uphill battle, though, for students who face mounting evidence of the policy's effectiveness.
Since Welcome Weekend in August, when police responded to 100 noise complaints, calls have consistently dwindled before reaching single digits last weekend.
The only exception was Halloween and rivalry weekend, when police responded to 82 noise complaints.
Glandon attributes the improved behavior to a student effort to shed a reputation tarnished by riots earlier this year.
"I'd like to think students are (answering) accusations that they need to be regulated and saying, 'We are good people, we do the right thing and we'll show everybody who is watching that we know how to do it,'" Glandon said.
"We are showing you that we are different than you expected."
Last weekend, East Lansing police fielded nine noise complaints and cited one resident under the city's old policy that calls for fines up to $500.
City Manager Ted Staton said the ordinance has only been reserved for the most serious offenders.
"People have learned, and we've gotten a number of calls about how to hold safe, legal parties, and I think it has made a difference," Staton said.
Those cited under the stiffened party-noise ordinance can face a civil infraction, punishable by a $1,000 fine or a misdemeanor citation, which carries a $500 fine and a minimum of three days in jail.
Party noise is defined as a loud gathering that has an entrance fee, kegs, live entertainment, outdoor sound and more than one person per 20 square feet of living space.
Of the 11 citations issued, seven were civil infractions, and four were misdemeanors.
"We said initially we didn't expect to issue a lot of these citations," Staton said. "That's clearly proven to be the case."
In the meantime, students continue a petition drive to put the resolution up for a citywide vote. About 1,300 voters have signed the petition.
"It is positive in that the city is much safer, and there is a lot more respect for permanent residents," said Michael Kotick, an economics junior, who is coordinating the petition campaign.
"But I'm not sure students feel they can express their freedoms and congregate."
Steve Eder can be reached at ederstev@msu.edu.
