— Rob Wiese, GSB president

The fate of Veishea will be announced tonight by Iowa State President Martin Jischke at the first meeting of the Government of the Student Body.

GSB President Rob Wiese said the first meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union, promises to be busy.

“We’re expecting some interesting discussion on Veishea,” Wiese said. “President Jischke will lay out his thoughts on Veishea, and the students will have a chance to discuss their views.”

The Veishea Advisory Committee has been discussing changes for the annual student-run celebration after the 1997 stabbing death of Uri Sellers, 19, during Veishea weekend.

Prior to the Sellers stabbing, rioting in 1988 and 1992 damaged the image of Veishea. Alcohol abuse at off-campus parties in 1994 also caused problems during the celebration.

The advisory committee suggested several steps to help control the alcohol abuse and the problems it caused during the weekend event.

According to the report the committee made, many people believe students view Veishea as one big party, instead of a showcase of Iowa State.

Elimination of Veishea has been discussed as an easy solution to the problems. However, alumni who have been involved with Veishea emphasized the student leadership opportunities Veishea provides.

Alumni also vocalized concerns that Veishea itself should not be held accountable for incidents that occur during the celebration.

Alcohol education was one step suggested by the committee of how to reduce the problems associated with activities held outside the “formal Veishea” celebration.

Wiese said that over the summer, several groups on campus discussed ways to make Veishea safer.

“This may be a good chance for everyone to work together,” he said. “We have to put a lot more work into making things safe.”

Veishea is one of the largest student-run festivals in the country.

“Veishea has a lot of problems now, with the alcohol abuse and everything that has happened, and it is something that needs to be discussed,” Wiese said.

Even though ISU students are not causing the major problems at Veishea, Wiese said, they are the ones who have to deal with the problems that stem from alcohol abuse during the event.

“We’ve had a murder and the riots and it’s just too much,” Wiese said.

Matt McLaren, vice president of GSB, said few GSB senators have expressed their opinion on the subject.

“They’ll get their opportunity to ask President Jischke on Wednesday night,” he said.

In a recent interview, Jischke said he has waited until students returned to campus before making any decisions concerning Veishea.

He also said he plans to continue discussions with students about Veishea and its future on campus.

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In other news:

In addition to Veishea, GSB will also discuss an allocations bill. “The bill will be pretty routine,” McLaren said. “There were some typing errors in the spreadsheet, and this is a correction.”

GSB will also discuss appointments for the Senate.

“My intention is to take nominations for vice-chair of Senate and chair of student fees oversight committee,” McLaren said.