Remember “Animal House”? Yeah, wasn’t John Belushi great in that scene when he showed how to pop a zit by spewing cafeteria potatoes out of his mouth? Or what about that time when he was in a toga? Oh yeah, that’s college, man. Screwing the man, getting drunk, having a good time.

Except we’re not in a movie. And John Landis didn’t write words into our mouths, although the choicer moments from Campustown on Saturday night would be looked upon more favorably by nostalgic baby boomers if they had.

But as it is, the 100, 1,000, whatever number of students who rioted on Saturday night and Sunday morning only reinforced our image as drunken idiots to Ames residents. It might look funny in a movie, but there are actual ramifications for students.

Drink specials. Overoccupancy. Couch ordinance. Student seats on the Ames City Council.

Do these words mean nothing to us? We shouldn’t have to tiptoe around Ames residents — but neither should we riot in the streets, breaking windows of local businesses and pulling out lampposts and parking meters. Like it or not, we have to prove ourselves to local residents, many of whom don’t trust 27,000 students to contribute to the community — never mind that Ames would probably be a lot more like Fort Dodge if the university wasn’t here.

This was a chance for Iowa State to put itself on display. Parades, food fairs, student groups on campus, cherry pies — riots aside, a lot of things did go well this week. But five years from now, no one’s going to talk about the delectable mango smoothies at the international food fair — they’ll talk about the lamppost in Lake LaVerne.

Despite the morning-after destructive scene wrought in Campustown, university administration should be careful in making any decisions that affect Veishea’s future. Students and alumni may clamor for its cessation, claiming that the name is forever tainted. Well, people probably said the same thing in 1997 when, despite a lovely Veishea, someone was stabbed.

Information and stories are still streaming in from the riots; many claim the police were overeager with tear gas and arrests, while others (drunkenly) claim the police violated their “God-given right to drink.”

Hopefully we’ll get a sober, clear account of the night’s events sometime soon.

And if the police reports are true, an investigation should be launched immediately. But until then, students should realize if they want to be taken seriously, they probably shouldn’t light dumpsters on fire when their party is busted.

At least wait until the Board of Regents announces the next tuition increase.