The Ames community is one step closer to a final decision regarding whether Veishea will continue to be an ISU and Ames tradition.

A town hall meeting will be held on the topic of Veishea’s future at 7 p.m. Monday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. It’s the last such scheduled meeting.

The final decision from ISU President Gregory Geoffroy is expected some time after Spring Break and before Dead Week.

“I have not made any decision about Veishea, nor would it be appropriate for me to do so until after the town hall meeting on Monday,” Geoffroy said in an e-mail message.

“As you know, that is an important opportunity for those interested to give their input, and I want to hear that input before making my decision.”

The meeting is the last time students and Ames residents will have the opportunity to give feedback regarding the future of Veishea.

“The intention of this meeting should be to respond to the report, not rehash what happened,” said Jeff Johnson, president of the ISU Alumni Association. “We’re not looking at who did it or why it happened. We’re looking to the future.”

The meeting comes after several small group discussions were held on campus, as well as an open forum Feb. 28. Johnson said the purpose of the meeting is to bring the city of Ames and Iowa State together for a community-wide discussion. A town hall meeting was the first recommendation in the Veishea task force report and the only recommendation that stands alone.

“The other recommendations really can’t be implemented until the future of Veishea is determined,” Johnson said. “This gives an opportunity to have people dig a little deeper into the report.”

Mayor Ted Tedesco said public input is a major component in deciding if Veishea is to resume.

“This is not something you make overnight. There is a lot of consideration of testimony. We have to weigh it all,” Tedesco said.

Johnson said the town hall meeting reflects Geoffroy’s leadership style of open communication.

“His style is one where he wants to have an informed decision,” Johnson said. “It shows he read the reports and is trying to respond accordingly.”

Residents have been encouraged to give feedback about the 15 recommendations outlined in the Veishea task force report.

The task force, composed of more than 30 ISU administrators, faculty members, students and community members first met last May 27 in response to an April 18 riot. The group spent months outlining recommendations that were compiled in the final report that was presented to Geoffroy on Nov. 30 for his review.

Recommendations include changing policies on underage people in bars and implementing an orientation to encourage students to become responsible members of the community.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.