Iowa State President Martin Jischke urged greek fraternities and sororities to make an honest pledge to have an alcohol-free Veishea celebration.

More than 200 people attended the meeting between Jischke, the Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and National Pan-hellenic Thursday night in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Thomas Hill, vice president of student affairs, Kathleen MacKay, dean of students, and Rob Wiese, Government of the Student Body president were also in attendance.

Jischke, who is a member of the Delta Tau Delata fraternity, said the three riots of 1988, 1992 and 1994, and the stabbing death of Uri Sellers were “a wake up call” which needs to be answered.

“I don’t want to have to call anybody else’s father to express my condolences,” Jischke said. “I don’t want to have to do that ever again.”

Since his first speech at the Aug. 27 GSB meeting, Jischke said he has received feedback from students. Jischke said he was troubled by the reaction of students published in the Daily.

“I don’t like to admit defeat without first giving it my best effort,” Jischke said.

Members at the meeting representing the greek systems addressed the issue of more problems resulting off campus if Veishea becomes alcohol-free.

Jischke said the concern had been brought to his attention by others, but he said if the university can deal with alcohol abuse and the problems associated with alcohol abuse, the other problems will not follow.

Jischke stressed again he hopes they can provide entertainment for students so they won’t go off campus to party.

“We have to fix our own house first,” he said.

One major concern of many greek fraternities is having to deny alcohol to alumni, who pay for their houses, during the weekend celebration.

“The alumni are not the problem and if they are, I’ll take care of them,” Jischke said.

He said many alumni leaders he has spoken to favor an alcohol-free Veishea.

James Campbell, a member of Delta Sigma Phi, said he believes the riots and other problems during Veishea are mostly caused by students off campus.

He questioned why fraternities and students on campus were being punished.

Jischke said he didn’t entirely agree. He said students on campus were involved in some of the problems during Veishea.

Another issue addressed was the scheduling of major concerts during the time of Veishea.

During last year’s Veishea celebration the KISS concert was scheduled at Hilton Coliseum.

Many questioned if the concert was the cause of some of the problems.

Jischke said he has talked to the ISU Center, but he does not see concerts as being the major factor of problems during Veishea.

There has been talk of finding a way to change Veishea so it doesn’t attract people who think the celebration is just one big party.

Jischke said he has discussed with Veishea co-chairs the possibility of going to other universities and warning them not to come to Veishea for the wrong reasons.

“Even in our best efforts it is not a guarantee” Veishea will self-destruct, Jischke said. “The stakes are very high for the university and students.”

If students in organizations like GSB, Inter-Residence Hall Association, IFC, Panhellenic Council and National Pan-hellenic take the pledge for a dry Veishea and one house is caught with alcohol, Jischke said he does not intend to punish everyone.