I cannot express how disappointed I am that President Geoffroy has decided to suspend Veishea next year.

I am upset not only by the fact that I will not be able to look forward to the event, but by the fact that this solution does not seem to deal with the problem directly. In fact, I do not think that suspension of campus activities for Veishea will have any effect on what happens off campus.

I sympathize with the president.

This is a rotten decision to have to make, made worse by those who feel it better to blame law enforcement and taxpaying Ames residents than to realize that police did not chase them up a light pole or light a Dumpster on fire.

They behaved like sheep, and that is how they were treated. I am disgusted by the images.

The crux of the issue is whether the official Veishea events had any effect on what happened that night.

Truthfully, I cannot see much evidence.

Does Geoffroy honestly believe those who enjoyed such a wonderful day on campus watching the parade, eating cherry pies and learning about glassblowing had anything to do with the riot?

It is a clear cost-benefit analysis.

The costs of canceling Veishea next year are missing an opportunity to showcase the wonderful departmental displays.

They will be missing the chance to earn goodwill among Iowans and other visitors, and most importantly, catering to the small number of irresponsible rioters.

Just imagine what happens when Veishea is reinstated next time.

I am sure there will be the same people absolutely giddy to see if there will be another disturbance.

There is not an on-campus solution to this problem. I spent the most wonderful day enjoying the event this year.

Although I have been at Iowa State for years, I learn something new and interesting about our campus every Veishea.

Like the vast majority of people there, I was completely disconnected from what happened on Welch Avenue that night.

That is my point.

Suspending the on-campus celebration will have no effect on whether a riot occurs, but will disappoint students (and their families), frustrate campus organizations and congratulate each and every one of those who threw something at police or store windows that night.

President Geoffroy, please consider a more direct way to deal with this off-campus problem.

Cris Schwartz

Graduate Student

Mechanical Engineering