Editor’s note: This is the fifth article in a five-part series on Y2K preparations at and relating to Iowa State. Today’s story finds out how students will be celebrating New Year’s Eve.

When clocks hit midnight and the world enters the year 2000, not everyone will be holed up in a bomb shelter, armed with a battery-operated flashlight and a year’s supply of bottled water.

The Y2K hype hasn’t affected most Iowa State students. In fact, many will be celebrating the new year surrounded by friends and cascades of confetti, without a worry about an electrical catastrophe or the end of the world.

“I think it is stupid,” said Scott Carlson, senior in aerospace engineering. “I don’t really care; it’s just another year.”

Even if there are power failures and widespread chaos, most students said they won’t let it interfere with their New Year’s party plans.

“I’ll probably be really drunk and walk around banging my head on things, because it will be too dark to see,” said Jon Eyres, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communication.

Mike Armstrong, senior in computer engineering, has more computers to worry about due to his major, but he won’t let that stop him from having fun.

“I’ll be hosting a big Y2K party and watching our five computers crash at midnight,” he said.

Football is another New Year’s tradition students won’t give up for Y2K.

“I’ll be watching the bowl game, engaging in many ‘social activities,’ and counting down to the millennium,” said John Mangan, freshman in engineering.

Leslie Otis, sophomore in accounting, is excited to spend her New Year’s holiday on a university-sponsored trip.

“I’ll be in London with the marching band,” she said. “I can get stuck there.”

Other than the traditional partying, some students have more creative plans for their New Year’s weekend.

“I’m going to spend my New Year’s trading Pok‚mon cards,” said Adam Hardy, freshman in mathematics.

While it will be a typical Midwestern winter night outside, some students are spending New Year’s basking in the warm glow of family love.

“We’re making fondue and having family game night with my sisters and our boyfriends,” said Megan Peavey, freshman in pre-veterinary medicine.

Alex Campbell, junior in graphic design, is planning on staying close to home. “I’m probably just going to be with my family,” he said.

Shelley Kuenstling, sophomore in psychology and pre-medicine, said she hopes to find someone to share the first seconds of 2000 with.

“I’m going to be looking for people to kiss on New Year’s Eve,” she said.