Ames Tribune VEISHEA Photo

crash_zone · 04-13-2008, 11:04 PM

just treat students like adults and riots wouldn't be as likely to happen

cstrunk · 04-13-2008, 11:18 PM

VEISHEA was a bust this year as far as I'm concerned. I still had a great weekend, however, it wasn't because I participated in VEISHEA-sponsored events. I foresee another mediocre year next year since it will be early, unless they get lucky and have decent weather for that time of year.

superdorf · 04-13-2008, 11:24 PM

We didn't go this year specifically because of the weather. It would not be good if they continue to hold the even too early in the spring.

Being an alumni with small children I love to take my kids to the parade... but with snow on the ground... I don't think so.

drum1306 · 04-13-2008, 11:27 PM

I've heard from a professor that had a lunch with the President and the summary was that they are trying to figure out a way to get rid of VEISHEA, but they don't want to do it outright. From their point of view, the weather does kill a lot of the outdoor drinking. They don't seem to realize that this just means people drink inside. It seems they will do anything to avoid even the chance of a riot, regardless of whether the entire celebration fades into nothingness.

Cyclone711 · 04-13-2008, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by drum1306

I've heard from a professor that had a lunch with the President and the summary was that they are trying to figure out a way to get rid of VEISHEA, but they don't want to do it outright. From their point of view, the weather does kill a lot of the outdoor drinking. They don't seem to realize that this just means people drink inside. It seems they will do anything to avoid even the chance of a riot, regardless of whether the entire celebration fades into nothingness.

I've heard this from alot of people and it makes me mad that they would try to kill off a tradition (one that could be good if they did it right) because of people "drinking". I mean, people never drink in college....

SlyCy · 04-13-2008, 11:44 PM

I beleive the reason it's so early is because they don't want warm weather because it means more people out drinking and better parties.

It's funny to me because the 1994? riots was started when the city Barneys shut down a party at the Adalante party and kicked everyone OUTSIDE because they were over fire code capacity. I saw it happen. Dum, Da, Dum ....DAAAAA

superdorf · 04-13-2008, 11:44 PM

When I was in school most of the students (myself included) only cared about the drinking.

For me, now, being an alumni, I love going back to campus on a beautiful spring day, walking around campus and seeing what has changed.

I love taking my kids to the parade and showing them, what I believe, is one of the most beautiful campus's I have ever seen.

For that to be "phased out" is just sad.

Stumpy · 04-13-2008, 11:53 PM

Okay, so this would go against the attempt to keep drinking out of Veishea, but what about holding it the week of finals? Cut down on the celebrations during the week (but leave the outdoor food and inflatable games and such for students to relax and enjoy the weather for a while). Then make Friday and Saturday the big blast with good weather all but guaranteed, and it truly becomes a celebration of Iowa State honoring another successful academic year.

Possible concerns that I foresee would be the increased drinking (and outright disregard possibly resulting from occurring after classes), interference with graduation ceremonies (and on-campus student move-out), and preparation by student groups. The tradeoffs might be too much, but I'm curious to know others' opinions.

Cydog · 04-14-2008, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Stumpy

Okay, so this would go against the attempt to keep drinking out of Veishea, but what about holding it the week of finals? Cut down on the celebrations during the week (but leave the outdoor food and inflatable games and such for students to relax and enjoy the weather for a while). Then make Friday and Saturday the big blast with good weather all but guaranteed, and it truly becomes a celebration of Iowa State honoring another successful academic year.

Possible concerns that I foresee would be the increased drinking (and outright disregard possibly resulting from occurring after classes), interference with graduation ceremonies (and on-campus student move-out), and preparation by student groups. The tradeoffs might be too much, but I'm curious to know others' opinions.

I don't think it's that bad of an idea but I don't think this would ever be possible. Along with the concerns you mentioned, Veishea is also a student-run celebration and holding it the week of finals would mean that people involved in running Veishea would not be able to spend much, if any, time concentrating on finals. I still think holding it the week before dead week is ideal. I can understand moving it around to avoid Easter but there was no reason to do that this year and look what happened. Next weekend's forecast also looks pretty nice and that's when it usually is. This Veishea was a huge bust and it's unfortunate because it was my last one as a student. It would be a shame if they got rid of it totally. The last 2 Veishea's were the week before dead week and pretty much problem-free and very successful. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

LindenCy · 04-14-2008, 12:36 AM

I thought it was usually the last weekend in April, at least in the mid 1990s.

Skyh13 · 04-14-2008, 12:36 AM

The thing that gets me is that... well, aside from the fact that I had so much fun the last 2 years and this year sucked... what if the administration is for sure trying to get rid of it? What action do the students (and alumni, etc) have to combat this? That's the part that really, really frustrates me.. and you know what? If VEISHEA ever does get cancelled, the administration is going to make the VEISHEA student committee take the fall for it, which is a bunch of BS.

cyclonenum1 · 04-14-2008, 08:12 AM

Veishea has been moved to an earlier date primarily due to the riots that nearly caused its demise. Back in the "pre-riot" days (prior to 1988), Veishea was much later and the weather was usually terrific...certainly never any snow.

delt4cy · 04-14-2008, 09:02 AM

I was eating breakfast on Saturday near a bunch of "blue hairs" or "grey hairs" or whatever you want to call them. The kind that wear the red blazers with the ISU lapel pins. (So ya know their important)

- and I overheard them saying that the decision to have VEISHEA so early next year may be changed and put back to the usual time. *possibly

I think it should be the week before dead week every year, regardless of what events it may run into or how the calendar lays out.

cys_av8r · 04-14-2008, 09:07 AM

What we have to realize is that this great tradition was ruined by a bunch of idiotic high school kids rushing into Ames and causing issues. Don't get me wrong, ISU students caused their fair share of problems over the years, but when you looked at the blotters after the event MOST of the people were out of town, non-students. No matter when they decide to have VEISHEA, early, late, whenever, that problem will probably not go away. That is unless they have crappy weather and no one shows up, like this year.

keepngoal · 04-14-2008, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

What we have to realize is that this great tradition was ruined by a bunch of idiotic high school kids rushing into Ames and causing issues. Don't get me wrong, ISU students caused their fair share of problems over the years, but when you looked at the blotters after the event MOST of the people were out of town, non-students. No matter when they decide to have VEISHEA, early, late, whenever, that problem will probably not go away. That is unless they have crappy weather and no one shows up, like this year.

I agree, while ISU students share in the responsibility, it was fueled by VEISHEA crashers.

-keep.