Associated Press
04-17-06
Festival returns to Iowa State this year, with reforms in place
AMES (AP) --- Police in riot gear had to respond to Veishea 2004, when the
student festival at Iowa State University grew into a riot.
That led to 38 arrests, $100,000 in damage -- and the first cancellation of
Veishea since the event began in 1922.
This year the celebration returns to Ames. And, if students want it to continue to
be an annual event, there can be no repeat of 2004, school officials say.
"The students have to make this happen," said Tom Hill, ISU vice president for
student affairs. "If they choose not to do things in an orderly fashion, have fun in
a safe way -- it could be the last Veishea -- if there's another big incident."
Veishea activities are scheduled to begin today. The annual spring celebration
has drawn up to 40,000 people in past years.
This year's incarnation takes into account the findings of a 31-member task force
that looked at the 2004 riot. The panel's recommendations included having latenight entertainment events, and moving events after dark away Campustown.
Student organizers say they are taking warnings from the administration
seriously -- and moved many events away from Ames' Campustown bar district
and onto campus in an effort to make the festival safer.
"We want to invite anyone who has ties to ISU to celebrate in a positive manner,"
said Brittani Vanderweerd, an Iowa State senior and member of the Veishea
planning committee.
Police said they were hopeful the event would be peaceful this year.
"I'm convinced if we have a disturbance this year, the future of Veishea is in big
trouble," said Ames Police Chief Loras Jaeger.
Significant outbreaks of violence have occurred at Veishea five times since 1988,
including the stabbing death in 1997 of a 19-year-old man outside a fraternity
house.
During 2004 riot, police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons against a mob
that broke windows, set trash fires, and threw rocks and bottles.
After the riots, Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy suspended Veishea for
2005.