With the return of Veishea for the first time after the 2004 riot, various policies have been reviewed to help ensure there will not be a repeat of 2004’s disturbances.

One of the main issues in question has been the university’s policy on alcohol.

After the murder of an ISU student during the 1997 Veishea celebration, a “dry campus” policy was instated for Veishea. This policy prohibited alcohol from campus for the duration of Veishea, and was the policy for the next seven Veishea celebrations.

In response to the 2004 disturbances, a Veishea task force was assembled to discuss recommendations as to what could be done to prevent any reoccurrence during future Veisheas.

Earlier this fall, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy reascended the Veishea dry alcohol policy and decided to have no special policies for Veishea, but to maintain the regular policies of the university as laid out in the Student Information Handbook.

John McCarroll, executive director of university relations, said Geoffroy listened to many groups before making this decision.

“[President Geoffroy] spoke with members of the staff, the Dean [of Students] Office and the vice president for student affairs,” McCarroll said. “These are different times [than in 1997], and it is time to go back to a more standardized alcohol policy.” The policy states alcohol is prohibited “within university buildings, university vehicles or on other property.”

“Alcohol is not allowed at on-campus events,” said Bethany Schuttinga, assistant dean of students and director of judicial affairs. “There is no alcohol allowed at outdoor events or in the buildings, with the exception of residence halls if the resident is 21.”

Along with the alcohol policy, there are policies against rioting and mass disturbances, which includes the failure to disperse as an offense.

According to the Student Disciplinary Regulations handbook, students charged with participating in a riot or mass disturbance can be put on immediate suspension from the university.

“Students should be aware that any violation would involve the offender in the student judiciary,” Schuttinga said. “The records of the offense would be put into a disciplinary file that is maintained by the Office of Judicial Affairs for seven years.”

Along with disciplinary actions taken by the university, offenders are subject to punishment by Ames Police.

Ames Police Cmdr. Randy Kessel said all violations involving alcohol and/or mass disturbances are misdemeanors.

With the new policies, Schuttinga said there should be no real worry of a repeat of Veishea 2004.

“I am confident that the students will act responsibly,” Schuttinga said.

Former ISU student Eric Osterholm Osterholm was the only student known to have been expelled by Iowa State for involvement in the April 18 riot in Campustown.

A total of 38 people were arrested during the hours-long Campustown riot.

Iowa State took disciplinary action against 15 students arrested for their participation in the riot, with four of the cases resulting in either suspension or expulsion.In the other 11 cases, students were given deferred suspension or were placed under conduct probation, according to Daily staff reports.