The Government of the Student Body senate will vote Wednesday on whether to transfer $20,000 out of the Special Projects Account to help improve Veishea entertainment.

“This is a way to strengthen one of ISU’s biggest traditions. This is a way to make Dew the Rec bigger, better and more enjoyable for students,” said GSB President Mike Banasiak.

Banasiak said the money will help bring in a “bigger-name” Veishea comedian.

Some senators said they are apprehensive to transfer the money because they believe the event could turn out similar to last year’s GSB-created Fall Event series.

Vice Speaker of the Senate William Rock said senators are extremely opposed to anything connected to the Fall Event because it “left a bad taste in senators’ mouths.”

“The event fell through last year — that’s why we’re not doing it this year and that’s why senators are reluctant to support anything like it,” Rock said. “We really put too much money into it and senators don’t want to waste money again.”

GSB allocated $40,000 for the event, with $18,426 left over, resulting in a loss of $21,574.

Union Drive Association Senator Jeremy Schweitzer said he is hesitant to give Veishea such a large sum of money. He said he is concerned the organization will not be able to switch to a bigger entertainment venue effectively.

“GSB tried to do a large entertainment venue and that fell through. I’m afraid that could happen again,” Schweitzer said. “I’m not sure Veishea has the experience to utilize all of the $20,000 we’re thinking of giving them.”

He said Veishea’s entertainment during the past three years has been on a smaller scale with a focus on local bands and smaller venues, such as the Lied Recreation Center.

However, in the past, Veishea entertainment was held in larger venues — such as Stephens Auditorium — with nationally recognized bands.

“I know their entertainment has been bigger in the past, but I’m afraid Veishea might not be able to handle switching from its smaller entertainment focus to a bigger scale and be successful,” Schweitzer said. “It’s great they want to go larger again, but I’m not sure GSB should fund such a large portion.”

He said he is working on an amendment to the bill to change the amount from $20,000 to $10,000.

Schweitzer said he believes the money could be better used by campus groups who don’t have the capability Veishea has to raise large sums of money.

GSB contributes money to Veishea as a student organization to help the group function and run its celebration. GSB gave Veishea a $12,525 general donation for this year to off-set its general costs in operating the event.

“The money is an investment for GSB, by entering into a joint venture with us to bring in a bigger comedian,” said Veishea entertainment co-chairman Shawn Sponheim. “We can both bring in a smaller comedian or we can pool our money to bring in a bigger name.”

Bringing in a popular comedian will cost a total of $43,850, with Veishea contributing $23,850 of that, and GSB covering the rest with the $20,000.

“GSB has brought comedians before to ISU in the past and this year we thought it would be better to team up and try to bring in a bigger name to better serve students,” said Veishea general co-chair Jessica Carlson. “GSB is trying to do a lot of the same things we are, so we thought it would be better to work together and combine our efforts rather than to compete against each other and do separate things.”

Carlson and Sponheim said Veishea is still looking for comedians to book.

Banasiak said transferring money to Veishea has nothing to do with the Fall Event.

“We’re just planning to extend an event that is already in existence and has been successful in the past,” he said. “We’re not trying to start something new, but improve something that’s a tradition at ISU.”