The Inter-Residence Hall Association had the first reading of a bill supporting President Martin Jischke’s challenge to make campus alcohol-free for the 1998 Veishea.

IRHA President Jay McLaren said the resolution will come to a vote probably this week.

Tony Thrasher, Towers Residence Association at-large representative, read the bill to the group. “Be it therefore resolved that the IRHA accepts [Jischke’s] challenge and declares the residence halls alcohol-free to the best of our ability,” he said.

During the first reading, McLaren said a question was asked regarding if there would be a change in student security in the residence halls during Veishea weekend.

“I’m hoping it will get passed,” McLaren said.

He said IRHA members passed out surveys last week which they will soon collect in order to get feedback from students.

IRHA adviser Pat Robinson talked to the members about the vote on Veishea.

She encouraged the group to remember that there is more to the vote than making the halls alcohol-free.

“The residence halls aren’t the buildings, but the people in it,” she said.

Having fun while living in an alcohol-free residence hall was also discussed at the meeting by David Haden, who helps coordinate National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.

The NCAAW has put together “a series of activities and events that are alcohol-free,” he said.

Haden mentioned the Incentives Grant Program, which provides funding for groups, such as IRHA, that would like to put together programs that promote healthy lifestyle options.

He also talked about a group of students that form the Peer Education Network.

Haden said peer educators are trained to make informed presentations to clubs, organizations and many other student groups.

These presentations include topics such as substance abuse, stress management, STDs and other health issues.

Haden said the program tries to make the presentations informative and fun.

Also at the meeting, a bill was unanimously passed to seat Rodney Morris, a junior in computer engineering, as vice president of finance for IRHA.