Students aren’t the only ones concerned about whether Veishea will remain an alcohol-free celebration.

Iowa State faculty members have different opinions on how the Veishea 2000 should be handled.

Ronald Peters, professor of psychology, said Veishea is an important celebration for the university to maintain.

“I feel it would be unfortunate if present circumstances led to the loss of the Veishea experience,” Peters said. “I can understand their concerns, but I can also see why Veishea ought to be retained as a long-standing tradition at Iowa State.”

Some professors said they would like Veishea to continue, dry or not.

“I’d certainly rather see dry Veishea than no Veishea,” said Barbara Pleasants, adjunct assistant professor of zoology and genetics.

Michael Whiteford, professor of anthropology, said if drinking is allowed during Veishea, it needs to be done responsibly.

“I would hope whether folks drink or don’t drink, they stay within the reasonable boundaries of a spring-time celebration,” he said.

Although dry Veishea would resolve some issues, Veishea has more problems than just alcohol, said Grace Kunz, associate professor of textiles and clothing.

“I wish there was more concern if Veishea is serving any real academic function as far as Iowa State is concerned,” she said.

Kunz said she questions whether there should still be a Veishea celebration unless “it’s defined in a way that it really has something to do with the university community.”

“It no longer serves the purpose that it once had, and I’m not sure what its purpose is anymore,” she said.

Joseph Geha, professor of English, suggested a completely different approach.

“I think we should have Veishea in January,” Geha said. “Make it an ice festival — then the drunks can be frozen to lampposts and nobody would care.”

He said the cold temperatures would help to solve the problem of people from outside of Ames causing trouble. “You’ve got to really be devoted to ISU to go to Veishea in the winter,” he said.

Geha said it is up to the students and Government of the Student Body senators to decide. “They should listen to their constituents,” he said.

Students will have to decide how important Veishea is to them, as opposed to their freedom to drink during that weeken,.Pleasants said

Whiteford said he has confidence in GSB to make the appropriate decision. “I have good faith in the ability of the student government to weigh issues in a rational manner and make informed decisions,” he said.