University officials said modifying access to alcohol during Veishea weekend could solve some of Iowa State’s riot troubles.

With stricter alcohol policies implemented to combat riots during Veishea having proved ineffective, university leaders have suggested it’s time for another approach.

After meeting for 10 hours Sept. 22 — until 4 a.m. — members of working group 2 of the Veishea Task Force on Assuring Successful Veishea and Other Student/Community Celebrations were unanimous that lifting or modifying restrictions could decrease the chance of rioting in Ames.

“I think we were agreed that alcohol is definitely an influence in the riots. However, the policies increase the tensions between students and the university,” said Gloria Betcher, working group 2 member and South Campus Area Neighborhood Association representative.

According to the group’s executive summary of findings — which will be presented Wednesday at a full task force meeting — Ames’ year-round regulations that keep underage drinkers out of bars, alcohol restrictions in the residence halls and a “dry” Veishea policy limit drinking opportunities, contributing to the growth of off-campus parties seen during Veishea.

“It’s also clear that dry Veishea policies did not stop another Veishea riot from occurring. The alcohol policies in place are not effective,” said Betcher, an academic adviser in the English department.

Fellow working group member Jeff Johnson, director of the alumni association, said it’s too simple to label alcohol as the sole motivation.

“We have a void of social venues for a large number of individuals on campus who are not of legal age,” Johnson said. “It’s not saying these people are seeking alcohol, but they are seeking venues to socialize.”

He said students have created their own venues to drink and socialize.

“You have people looking for greater outlets of socialization, but who can’t get into social venues in this community as they are largely limited to bars,” Johnson said.

The group recommended the task force suggest modifying one or more of the following: restriction on underage people in the bars, residence hall alcohol policies, dry Veishea and enforcement practices for off-campus parties.

The lack of venues has already produced the creation of large off-campus social hubs, which are areas that still need to be addressed, he said.

“When any form of authority moves to those areas, both to disperse or make sure people are complying with the law, those things can either escalate or become a celebratory situation, which can get out of hand and sometimes lead to property destruction and arrest,” Johnson said. “We saw this with Hunt Street, which has become a social hub.”

This is why the group has also suggested the creation of a Campustown Student Association modeled after the residence halls’ student leadership. The goal is for the student association to coordinate with the existing South Campus Area Neighborhood Association to foster improved student, city and university relations.

“We think that it might be a means for students to have more of a voice within the city. However, the neighborhood association has always been open to students, but they haven’t chosen to join,” Betcher said.

“I don’t think it can hurt. I’d like to think that there would be an interest in a student organization because it would give students more of a unified presence in the off-campus community and would provide them with more of a voice before the City Council.”

The group also highlighted changes in Veishea’s tradition as a social event that showcases Iowa State to a tradition of being a time to party, drink and riot as another significant factor that creates several preconditions.

As a result of the shifted tradition, Veishea has given large groups of people access to riot areas like Campustown.

The latest riot occurred in an area contained or bordered by dense off-campus housing, large residence halls, bars filled to capacity and Veishea events taking place in Campustown.

This is why the group is also recommending a relocation of “post-dusk” Veishea events to Central Campus.

“I think we view these recommendations as draft recommendations that the task force will discuss and reshape. We don’t have the whole story, and we don’t know what’s been employed elsewhere to combat riots,” Betcher said. “It’s intended to provide talking points and input from our group’s perspective.”