Wearing a beer can costume and a propeller beanie, Brandon Riley encouraged Iowa State students to sign a petition calling for more student control of Veishea during a protest Wednesday afternoon.

The protest, which was staged by Riley, junior in psychology, and Robert Deisz, junior in chemistry, was held on the free-speech grounds between Beardshear Hall and The Hub.

The protest attracted hundreds of people throughout the afternoon, including ISU administrators and Veishea committee members. The protesters acquired 792 signatures for the petition, which they intend to send to ISU President Martin Jischke.

The petition claims that the students are given little control over Veishea. It also reads that the decision between a dry Veishea and no Veishea is “an ultimatum poorly disguised as a choice.”

Riley and Deisz decided to protest because they feel Veishea is run by the administration, not the students. They object to the “administration having total control over our student festival,” Riley said.

“We want Veishea back into our hands and out of the university administration’s,” he said.

Riley said he thinks he and Deisz represent the opinions of many ISU students.

“We want to show that a portion of the student body is absolutely dissatisfied with Veishea,” he said. “A lot of students leave [during Veishea]. That’s not what we want to happen.”

Riley said Veishea being alcohol free was not the reason for the protest, despite his attention-grabbing beer can costume.

However, the administration’s ultimatum between an alcohol-free Veishea or no Veishea is one of their primary concerns, he said.

“To make such a sweeping statement takes the choice away from students,” Riley said. “We weren’t given an opportunity to explore other actions.”

Deisz said he and Riley are protesting for more responsibility to be given to the students during the celebration.

“The general atmosphere [of last year’s Veishea] was more a police state than a celebration,” he said. “The students need to form a consensus on what will happen [at Veishea].”

Veishea Co-Chairs Aimee Lee and Scott DeSotel also attended the protest.

Lee, senior in public service and administration in agriculture, disagreed with the protesters’ position that the administration runs Veishea.

“Every student impacts the choices we make and the future of Veishea,” she said. “It’s not just the 510 people on Veishea committees.”

Lee pointed to the new Veishea Center Stage ticket policy as a change that came directly from students. For last year’s Rock Veishea, students could buy a ticket only for themselves. This year, the policy allows students to buy one guest ticket.

DeSotel, senior in agricultural business, said Riley and Deisz’s concerns will be taken into consideration for Veishea 2000.

“It’s unfortunate they’re popping up this late in the game,” he said. “We may not be able to use their ideas this year, but we’ll take them back to the committee for next year.”

Riley and Deisz’s petition does not condemn the students involved with Veishea, nor does it call for the event to end.

Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill, who also attended the protest, commended the students’ efforts to voice their beliefs.

“It’s good that they come out and express their opinions in a free-speech area,” he said. “That’s what college is all about.”

Hill said the administration does care about students’ concerns.

“If we don’t listen, we need to get out of the business,” he said. “I really believe we care, but you should ask the students.”