On the start of Veishea ’98, April 17, not only will the celebration have a new alcohol-free attitude, but its official logo will have a new look and attitude as well.

The new logo, in the fashion of a blueprint, was designed to represent the new focus for this year’s Veishea and other future celebrations. Not unlike an architect who uses blueprints to design buildings, Veishea committee members say they have designed a blueprint that will hopefully save Veishea.

“This year’s logo is an overall representation of the restructuring of the celebration,” said Ben Dohrmann, Veishea general co-chairman.

Amy McEnvoy, co-chairwoman of public relations for Veishea, said the new logo was the collaboration of a team of student graphic artists. But McEnvoy said the credit for the blueprint idea is mostly attributed to Brett Hawthorne, senior in graphic design, from Davenport.

This year’s Veishea committee is working hard to save and rebuild the reputation of what is known as the largest student-run celebration in the country.

One important change being made this year to narrow the focus of Veishea to what the committee calls the “Cyclone Family.” This family includes the students of Iowa State, ISU alumni and the Ames community.

“[The new logo] really focuses on the changes we are making this year,” said Kathryn Whitaker, Veishea general co-chairwoman. “We want to make Veishea an Iowa State event, not a state of Iowa event.”

Perhaps the most important change is the Veishea committee’s effort to keep Veishea an alcohol-free celebration. This change comes after ISU President Martin Jischke gave ISU students the choice of continuing Veishea alcohol-free or cancelling the celebration indefinitely.

In past years, Veishea has experienced riots — and the murder of Harold “Uri” Sellers last year.

At one time the celebration was ranked as the No. 3 campus party of the year by Playboy Magazine. But members of the Veishea committee hope their efforts will change the negative image Veishea has obtained over the years.