Wednesday afternoon in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union, Iowa State President Martin Jischke announced the Veishea ’98 celebration will continue but said the alcohol has to go.

The announcement, made six months and two days after the tragic death of Harold “Uri” Sellers during last April’s Veishea, came weeks after Jischke received pledges from five student organizations who agreed to make this year’s Veishea safe and alcohol-free.

“I asked the students leaders to sincerely pledge — on behalf of the students they represent — to make Veishea safe and alcohol-free,” Jischke said.

“I have received these pledges and have been assured of their sincerity. I now feel confident that moving ahead with Veishea for 1998 is the right thing to do,” he said.

The alcohol-free pledges were made by the Government of the Student Body, the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Inter-Residence Hall Association and the Veishea Executive Board.

“We have been working on this for awhile and we have been optimistic that this would happen since the beginning,” said Kathryn Whitaker, Veishea general co-chair.

Veishea began in 1922 as a celebration of the different colleges within ISU and is regarded as the largest student-run celebration in the country.

But since 1987, numerous riots and Sellers’ murder last spring have marred Veishea celebrations.

As a result of these incidents, the Veishea celebration and the university have been subjected to scrutiny from the public and ISU alumni.

Jischke said he has asked many different law enforcement officials, alumni and political figures for their opinions concerning Veishea.

“The response was mixed,” he said.

Jischke said he would like to see the “insidious shadow” lingering over Veishea changed. He said steps must be taken to dispel the shadow.

Jischke said he realized six months ago that Veishea was confronted with a problem that has been brewing for the last 10 years.

Because Jischke felt the situation should be addressed, he announced during a GSB meeting in August he would only let Veishea continue if the students would sincerely pledge to make it safe and alcohol-free.

Jischke said Veishea has entered a situation in which the evil effects of alcohol have threatened the true academic spirit of the 75-year-old celebration.

“Veishea is a student activity and it would be unfair to not include the students in any decision that is made about Veishea,” he said.

“Everything that is wrong with Veishea, all the problems point to alcohol,” he said.

Jischke also said since Veishea is being continued, Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs, will begin drafting conduct regulations for the upcoming Veishea weekend.

The regulations, Jischke said, will be based on the university’s conduct code.

In addition, while the university has direct jurisdiction on all campus areas — university-owned properties and the housing of recognized student organizations — Jischke said students who live off campus will not be immune to any disciplinary action.

“We will use local law enforcement records to decide which individuals might be subject to university disciplinary actions,” Jischke said.

Jischke said some of the disciplines will come in the form of a warning, conduct probation, suspension or even expulsion from the university.

However, Jischke said he wants students to understand that the regulations are not intended to put students at an increased risk of disciplinary action.

The new rules are designed to help students understand what is expected of them during the Veishea celebration.

In August, when Jischke first made his announcement, he told student leaders the university would help ensure that students take the pledge.

He said the university would also emphatically support them.

True to his word, Jischke listed ways the university will work for the success of a dry Veishea.

First, he said the university will increase its alcohol education efforts.

Second, three task forces will be formed to monitor greek areas, residence halls and off-campus housing. The task forces will be made up of students, staff and alumni leaders, Jischke said.

Third, he said four permanent campus security officers will be hired and trained. Two of these officers will be assigned to monitor the greek housing areas, while the others will monitor campus areas.

Finally, Jischke said the university is prepared to financially support any forms of alcohol-free alternative entertainment provided during Veishea.

“The answer to these problems is one of education, and we must educate students how to use alcohol responsibly,” he said. “Now, the truly hard work of transforming Veishea begins.”

Ben Dohrmann, Veishea general co-chairman, said the transformation process begins immediately, and next week’s student forum is a great way to start.

“We need feedback from the students on what to do … It’s time to get to work,” he said.

Students who wish to voice opinions on what to do about this year’s Veishea should attend a forum next Friday in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union from 3 to 5 p.m.