A bill introduced in the Towers Residence Association senate Monday night flatly rejects the Veishea pledge, adding yet another voice into the fray of student discussion on Iowa State’s annual spring celebration.

The bill, authored by Jason Hahn, Werkman House; Nathan Randt, Raymond House; and Heather Gill, Errington House, would resolve that the “TRA senate will not adopt the ultimatum of ‘dry Veishea or no Veishea’ set forth by Dr. Martin Jischke.”

The bill was offered up for its first reading Monday at the Wallace-Wilson conference room. It will come up again next week to a vote by TRA’s 40-member senate.

Hahn urged senators to feel out the public consensus in TRA concerning Veishea.

“I’d like everyone to go back to their floors with an open heart and open mind,” he said.

Hahn also dismissed concerns that the bill endorses a Veishea that promotes alcohol. “It’s not about getting drunk,” he said. “This is about becoming more a part of this school than just sleeping in.”

TRA President Brian Cameron also asked senators to talk to their floors about Veishea. “Don’t worry what Towers is going to look like if this passes,” he said. “Really take a look at this and see what people think.”

Hahn said if the bill were to pass next week, it would not mean that TRA would not be involved with Veishea if it indeed does go on.

For Veishea to continue its tradition this year, it also needs to obtain the support of the Inter-Residence Hall Association, the Panhellenic Council and the Graduate Student Senate.

The Government of the Student Body affirmed the pledge at its last meeting, but there is talk of amending that resolution at this week’s meeting.

The Interfraternity Council reaffirmed the pledge at its meeting last week.

IRHA will be considering the pledge starting at this week’s Thursday meeting. If the TRA bill were to pass, all TRA representatives on IRHA would be voting against the Veishea pledge on IRHA, said TRA Vice President Bill Wychulis.

TRA has seven representatives on IRHA — four hall representatives and the TRA president, finance director and IRHA at-large representative.

In a parliament that only has 25 voting members, the passage of the TRA bill would mean only six “no” votes from non-TRA members of IRHA would be needed to reject the pledge.

TRA’s GSB senators, Jonathan Weaver and Andy Gruman, both agreed the resolution was a good idea, even though both of them voted “yes” on the pledge at Wednesday’s GSB meeting.

“I think it articulates the genuine sentiment of Towers,” Weaver said. “It set a really good precedent of students speaking their mind.”

Adviser to the TRA Senate Ben Chamberlain also agreed it was good to see students trying to take control of issues that pertain directly to them. “It’s nice to see them speaking out,” he said. “I’m sure this will influence IRHA.”