This year’s Veishea will be celebrated pledge-free, but before you make plans to reserve a half dozen kegs of Mickey’s for your dorm room, realize that Veishea will still be alcohol-free as well.

Dr. Seagrave, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to take a less dictatorial route with students this year, and for that we say thanks a heap.

This move will help take the focus away from the negative and put it back on the cherry pies, parade and carnival, where it belongs.

Veishea may have become slightly crazy in years past, and the death of Uri Sellers was certainly the low point of this venerable tradition, but if Veishea is to survive and thrive, it must ultimately be a student celebration.

Ending the pledge was a good first step.

It is now the responsibility of all ISU students to handle this newly reinstated honor with dignity, maturity and maybe just a little sobriety.

If the Roman Empire taught us anything, it is that you do not need to drink every weekend to have a good time; you can get a lot out of many events by attending them sober.

Of course, trying to stop college students from drinking is like trying to stop the earth from spinning: It won’t happen unless the sun explodes.

This does not mean we cannot conduct ourselves like the adults we are and make Dr. Seagrave glad he gave us this chance to reclaim our proud tradition.

So when Veishea rolls around this year, remember that a lot of people worked hard to get the party rolling.

The least we can do is not trash the place such as Axl Rose at the Cleveland Marriott.