Veishea, Iowa State’s renowned annual spring celebration, will continue in 1999 as an alcohol-free celebration, Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill has announced.

“Saving Veishea, given the serious nature of its past difficulties, is a significant accomplishment in higher education. Most of the credit goes to Iowa State students,” Hill said in a press release.

Hill’s announcement came on the heels of a report from the Veishea Advisory Council last week, which developed a list of criteria to measure the success of Veishea 1998.

The 28 council members include members of the university administration, ISU student representatives and community members.

The council examined four areas of the Veishea celebration: attendance, participation, perceptions and alcohol violations, and university discipline. The council reported satisfactory attendance and participation; a considerable drop in arrests; and mostly positive media coverage, therefore deeming Veishea 1998 a success.

“While Veishea 1998 was a success, we must keep in mind that this is only the beginning of creating a new Veishea tradition,” Hill said. “Veishea will only continue with the ongoing commitment of the ISU student body to keep this important celebration safe and alcohol-free,” he said in the release.

Veishea advisory groups, the Veishea Executive Board and law enforcement sources made several recommendations for future Veishea celebrations. Advisers called for better planning, more alternative events and improved promotion of events. Another recommendation was that the executive board should develop a post-Veishea reporting tool.

Hill said the 1999 celebration definitely will be dry, but no details have been decided yet. He said the university might ask student leaders to sign alcohol-free pledges again this year.

“I’m looking forward to another successful venture,” Hill said.

Kathleen MacKay, dean of students, also said she is looking forward to next year’s Veishea celebration.

“I hope we can continue the trend of having less problems and more fun,” MacKay said.