Veishea co-chairs Ben Dohrmann and Kathryn Whitaker found a somewhat hostile audience at the Graduate Student Senate meeting Monday night.

Dohrmann, a senior in agricultural business, and Whitaker, a graduate student in agricultural education, introduced the alcohol-free Veishea pledge to the GSS and were bombarded by questions about the feasibility of such a pledge.

Whitaker responded to the general opposition to the pledge by saying, “It’s just for that weekend. It’s a small price to pay [to save Veishea].”

Many senators voiced their concerns about banning alcohol from all university housing, which includes Schilletter and University Villages and Buchanan Hall, where all the residents are older than 21.

One senator said he was against the pledge because it would be illegal to have a beer at a barbecue in his backyard.

Anne McSorley, human development and family studies, disagreed.

“Alcohol is not the issue. If you can’t go and grill a burger without having a beer, there’s a bigger problem. When will we admit there’s an alcohol problem at this university?” she asked.

Whitaker mentioned the parade, Taste of Veishea and the many open houses as she appealed to the senators for their support. “We, as general co-chairs, are trying to save a 75-year tradition,” she said.

When one senator asked what would be scheduled during the evening hours to replace alcohol-related activities, Whitaker said that phase of Veishea is still in the preliminary phases, but she said they will have financial support.

“President [Martin] Jischke has promised he will help us in any way he can,” she said.

Dohrmann ended their presentation by saying he and Whitaker were “hoping not just to make an impact but to implement some changes.”

Also speaking at Monday night’s meeting were GSS President Juana Nolasco, GSS Adviser Dr. John Dobson, Dean of Students Kathleen MacKay and Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Hill.