Traditionally, it has been the job of the police to respond to neighbors' complaints of loud students whose parties disrupt peaceful nights.

But now ASUA senators want to play a role in mediating the conflict by bringing students and neighbors together.

Students will be surveyed tomorrow on whether or not they want ASUA to mediate the conflict between students and the surrounding community.

The results of the survey will determine if ASUA Sen. Sara Birnbaum will go ahead with plans to establish forums that will encourage neighbors and students to listen to one another.

Birnbaum wants to have a forum in which representatives from the student body, the police and the community will draft a resolution that would encourage all parties involved to mutually respect one another.

The agreement would then be put on fliers around campus to remind students to respect the police and the community.

"The forum will let the UA get a chance to listen to everybody else and also for everybody else to listen to the UA," Birnbaum said.

Dyer Lytle, president of the Jefferson Neighborhood Association, said he is open to any suggestion that will improve the level of respect between neighbors and students.

If students act like good neighbors, then they'll be no problem. - Dyer Lytle president of the Jefferson Neighborhood Association

The association, which has had a number of complaints about students who live off campus, is bounded by East Grant Road on the north, North Campbell Avenue on the east, North Euclid Avenue on the west and East Lester Street on the south.

"Any form of communication is a good thing," Lytle said. "The best way to solve the problem is not through law enforcement, but by students taking responsibility."

Lytle said there has been progress in quieting the parties, but he attributes that mostly to law enforcement's increased role in monitoring parties.

"I don't know if it's different, but I have to admit that the neighborhood is making progress. There is better law enforcement now," Lytle said.

Birnbaum said she would rather have students act responsibly than increase law enforcement.

"I think that's a workable goal; it's common courtesy. Students just need to think about other people," Birnbaum said. "If kids want the opportunity to be adults, like by drinking, then they need to act like adults. To me, what the residents want is a reasonable thing."

According to Lytle, all that the neighbors want is respectful students who clean up after themselves and keep the noise down.

"If students act like good neighbors, then they'll be no problem," Lytle said. "I wouldn't call police for drinking or partying, but more because of unruly conduct and noise. So, if that stops, then parties won't be busted."

Some students said they are open to the idea of ASUA helping with the conflict between them and the community, but they aren't sure if a written resolution will do any good.

"I certainly think that ASUA's desire to draft an agreement is admirable," said Lori Foley, a sophomore majoring in French and English. "However, I am unsure of whether it would have a major effect. I think the best thing to encourage respect between the two parties is interaction with each other."

UAPD spokesman Sgt. Eugene Mejia said that, if students abide by the law and reduce the noise, there would not be police involvement.

He said that drafting a resolution is a good move on ASUA's part, but students still need to earn respect from the community and not just make an agreement.

"I believe that any attempt to solve the problem, whether real or perceived, is a step in the right direction," Mejia said. "If students want respect, they need to earn it by treating people appropriately, respecting the public's right to peace and partying responsibly with no minors drinking alcohol."

Even though neighbors are willing to communicate with students and reach an agreement, students shouldn't expect them to back down.

"I doubt neighborhoods will back down on this stance. Students shouldn't expect neighbors to say, ÎOK, you can party.' But we can say, ÎIf you have a party, have it on a Sunday afternoon with not a lot of people,'" Lytle said. "The agreement should be on how parties are done, which will make it more agreeable for everyone."

Birnbaum acknowledged that getting people to sit down and talk might be a difficult task and there might be other ways to improve relations between the groups.

"I am still thinking of if there are better ways to accomplish the goal," Birnbaum said. "I am scared of awakening a sleeping giant."

A mass forum between a university and the surrounding community has never been done. No other school in the nation has had a forum like this, so there's got to be a reason why, Birnbaum said.

Regardless of her reservations, Birnbaum said she is willing to do whatever it takes if it is what the students and the community want.