MADISON, Wis. -- As the University of Wisconsin-Madison kicks off a new school year amid a spike in recent downtown violence, local authorities are teaming up with school officials to keep the campus safe.

The dorms are filling with new students, and the university is wasting no time spreading the word about downtown violence.

Jose Delgado, a house fellow in Witte Hall, has been talking with students about campus safety since their first day.

"I actually conducted my house meeting last night, and I went over some of the safety issues that have occurred in Madison. I emphasized how this past summer there's been so many muggings and stuff around campus," Delgado said. "I told them to walk around in groups, (and) if they're going to be at parties to walk in groups and be safe at all times."

The dean of students and UW police are also launching a joint campaign about staying safe downtown.

"It's good to be aware of your surroundings and know what's going on so any extra effort we can do to let them know what's happening helps later on," said Ruth Ewing, residence liaison with the UW Police Department.

The university hopes students will also hear the message from professors and their peers.

"In all reality, if someone wants to commit a crime, they're probably going to avoid the police, and so that's why the other pieces are so critical to share in terms of walking in groups and looking at your surroundings," said Lori Berquam, dean of students at UW-Madison.

"I'm definitely emphasizing this. At my second and third meeting, I'm going to repeat it to them. It's going to be repetitive to them. Sometimes it just goes in and out the other ear, but hopefully they can get it," Delgado said.

Campus newspapers have also agreed to print stories about this summer's violence. The university is urging students to travel in groups at night and to always lock their apartments and cars.

UW-Madison also plans to send mass e-mails to students and advertise on Facebook.