While Veishea committee members are making final preparations for the big weekend, other students are also making plans – to leave town before the celebration officially begins.

After the 1997 murder of Harold “Uri” Sellers on Veishea weekend, the Jishcke administration took action to curb the potential danger of riots and binge drinking during the celebration. This sobering reality resulted in a Veishea pledge to eliminate drinking on campus during the weekend.

This year, Interim President Richard Seagrave didn’t bring back the pledge, although Veishea events always have been alcohol-free. While many students were happy to see the pledge go, others don’t feel any better about the annual celebration.

“Veishea just isn’t fun anymore,” said Kevin Ross, junior in agricultural studies. “People used to say Veishea was the time of their life, and now they take off because it’s not any fun.”

Brian Huston, sophomore in computer science, said Veishea events don’t appeal to students.

“There’s nothing fun to do, and students would rather be somewhere else,” he said.

However, Huston said students don’t leave just because they can’t drink.

“Veishea seems like it’s just based on the greek system instead of being focused for the entire university,” he said.

Pam Baker, junior in agricultural business, said students leave because of a lack of interest in the celebration.

“Veishea seems like it’s not even geared toward the students anymore,” she said. “Half of the time, students don’t even know about all the events going on.”

Kathy Craig, Veishea general co-chair, said she hopes things will be different this year.

“In the past, people didn’t feel the events fit them and their interests,” said Craig, senior in Spanish. “But this year, we worked very hard to talk to students and gear the events toward what they want.”

The committee has to consider what the students want and what the surrounding community would enjoy as well, she said.

Craig said the committee is very pleased with the way events have come into play, and she is confident students will have fun this year.

“I recommend the students stay this year, because there is such a variety of activities to take part in,” Craig said. “If you aren’t already involved in Veishea through a group, you have the opportunity to see a top 40 band for $12, watch the Midwest’s largest parade, or even learn to milk a cow with the Dairy Science Club.”

Craig said students should stay to take part in the biggest student-run celebration in the country.

“With all this here, it really would be a shame to leave Ames,” she said.