Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy has announced that next year's Veishea celebration will follow the university's standard alcohol policy. That policy permits alcohol on campus, including residence hall rooms, for students who are of legal drinking age.
"This policy is very restrictive, and it will be vigorously enforced during Veishea, just as it is at all other times of the year," Geoffroy said.
The Veishea alcohol policy in place 1998-2004 prohibited the use of alcohol anywhere on campus, including food establishments, entertainment facilities and residence halls. Returning to the standard policy means that the campus alcohol rules for Veishea 2006 will be the same as every other day of the year at Iowa State.
Statement of President Geoffroy on Alcohol Policy
Earlier this year when I announced that the Veishea celebration would resume in 2006, I also said that we would evaluate the alcohol policy that was in place for each of the last seven Veishea celebrations. That Veishea-specific alcohol policy, first imposed for the 1998 Veishea weekend, prohibited any alcohol use anywhere on campus, including food establishments, entertainment facilities and residence halls. At all other times, the university's standard alcohol policy permits alcohol on campus, including in the residence hall rooms of students who are of legal drinking age. The standard policy does not, however, allow alcohol use in public areas of residence halls, such as lounges, hallways and restrooms.
Over the last several months, I have received much input on the question of the alcohol policy that we should have for the Veishea celebration. I especially appreciate the valuable input from the Inter-Residence Hall Association, the Department of Residence and the Veishea Advisory Council. Each of these groups recommended that the university operate under the same alcohol policy year-round, including Veishea weekend. Their comments and recommendations reflect candid and thoughtful deliberations, and I agree with their conclusion.
I am announcing today that we will follow the university's standard alcohol policy during Veishea 2006. This policy has worked well for us at all other times of the year, and with close monitoring we expect it to be successful for Veishea weekend. I have made this decision because of the confidence I have in our students, especially those who are planning Veishea 2006. Veishea is a student-organized event, and students are responsible not only for the planning, but also for their conduct during the celebration. I know that our students want Veishea to be safe and enjoyable and to reflect well on them and the university.
I want to emphasize that this decision to maintain our normal alcohol policy during Veishea does not imply that we will have a "wet" Veishea. This policy is very restrictive, and it will be vigorously enforced during Veishea, just as it is at all other times of the year.