Several unusually rowdy off-campus parties in spring quarter prompted city and campus officials to urge students to be responsible party hosts and party-goers and to call police as soon as celebrations threaten to get out of control.

In the first instance, an estimated 1,000 people packed the sidewalks, parking lot and balconies at Sterling University Apartments on the eve of Picnic Day. When city and campus police arrived at the complex in East Davis, they were pelted with dozens of beer bottles. And some complex residents were "swarm-robbed" by groups who pretended to need help, then pushed into apartments and made off with property from inside.

After other large parties on May 23 and June 4 that spilled outdoors and spawned fights, assaults and illegal drinking, and taxed the ability of local police to control the situation, city and campus officials began a new collaboration.

UC Davis police chief Calvin Handy and city of Davis police chief Jim Hyde discussed the problems with student leaders, Student Affairs officials and campus administrators.

"We're not out to shut down all parties -- only those that lead to violence," Handy said. "Our campus partnerships with the city and property managers are the key to working this out."

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, ASUCD president Kalen Gallagher and GSA chair Jonathan Karpel e-mailed all students a cautionary year-end letter. They emphasized that misconduct could have far-ranging impacts on students' academic status and even criminal record. "Please enjoy your success -- you surely deserve it -- but please be smart and safe in your celebrations," they wrote.

In mid-June, many from the city-campus group met with members of the Davis Residential Managers Association to solicit ideas and offer advice about keeping tenants and housing properties safe. Hyde distributed fliers that property managers could circulate to their tenants, reminding residents of city laws governing alcohol use and party noise.

"We care about these students who are here with us for four or six years," said Davis city council member Don Saylor, who initiated the property managers' meeting with fellow council member Stephen Souza.

Said Souza, "We want to keep people from getting hurt and property from getting trashed and keep from creating an image we don't want for our city."

Campus and city officials will continue to collaborate through the summer to head off a renewal of the problems when fall quarter begins.