The announcement of Veishea’s return next year has ISU students and community leaders excited about the future of the event.

Jill Stevens, freshman in art and design, said her decision to come to Iowa State was not affected by the April 18, 2004 Veishea riot or the decision to cancel the event this year.

Stevens, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, said Veishea is a big part of the greek system and, with the cancellation this year, her sorority had to find other ways to raise money.

The return of Veishea in 2006 is essential to many clubs and organizations on campus.

Carl Wertzberger, senior co-chairman of the Cherry Pie Project, which raises money for students in hotel, restaurant and institution management, said having MacKay Hall back for next year will be beneficial. MacKay is the normal venue where the pies are sold.

“I would hope that cherry pies would be successful every year; it is just that now it will be easier to sell pies though the venue,” he said.

The Cherry Pie Project isn’t the only group excited to see Veishea coming back.

Tyler Seidel, sophomore in elementary education, said his first Veishea experience influenced his decision to transfer from the University of Saint Thomas to Iowa State. He went to the parade, ate the food and went to a few classes with his friends.

“It brought a lot of people here and I just had such a fun weekend,” he said.

Valerie Hobson, a member of the Society of Chemistry Undergraduate Majors, said if Veishea was not reinstated next year, the group would lose a knowledge base and its annual show wouldn’t be as successful.

The society will be performing “Clue” this year to continue the tradition.

“Having Veishea back is definitely a good thing because we are almost guaranteed an audience,” Hobson said.

Faculty and administrators also said it will be good to have Veishea back.

“It was a difficult decision, but it is the best decision in the long-term interest of our university and our community of Ames,” said Bethany Schuttinga, assistant dean of students and director of judicial affairs.

In addition to Schuttinga, Ames City Councilmen Matthew Goodman and Steve Goodhue said they both think having Veishea is positive for the whole community.

“Veishea is the best opportunity for the city of Ames and Iowa State to bring the community together,” Goodman said.

Mayor Ted Tedesco said Veishea affects the reputation of Ames, Iowa State and the people who live here, and he looks forward to its future.

“I hope that we grow on a new path with this decision and live very positively to make it a success,” he said.

Even though it seems everyone agreed the return of Veishea is exciting and positive, some are worried about history repeating itself.

Brandon Zears, freshman in electrical engineering, said he thinks students have learned from the past, and he believes if there is another riot, Veishea will not happen again.

Iowa State and the Ames community are taking steps to prevent another riot, however, and students and officials have come up with many ideas.

“There are things being considered,” Tedesco said. “There are a lot of suggestions and we are working with a lot of different policies; it is an ongoing project.”