AMES, Iowa – The 2014 Veishea Task Force’s final report and recommendations have been delivered to Iowa State University President Steven Leath.
President Leath will review the report and announce his decision with respect to the recommendations by early August. He issued the following statement:
“The Veishea Task Force delivered its report to my office. I’m grateful for the hard work done by this group of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. I’m particularly grateful to Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Hill, who served as chair of the task force.
I’m making the task force report available today because I understand the broad interest in the work of the task force. The report (and appendices) are available on the Veishea Task Force webpage,” Leath said.
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Report Preface
From its beginnings in 1922, VEISHEA has been touted as the largest student-run celebration in the United States. For many decades VEISHEA has provided leadership experiences for students organizing the event and celebrated the connections within Iowa State University, Ames, and the state of Iowa.
VEISHEA was more than a spring celebration for the university. Over the years, VEISHEA brought middle school and high school students to campus and served as a very real recruitment activity for the university. It also brought alumni and their families to campus helping to cement the bonds between Iowa State and its graduates. VEISHEA helped strengthen the ties between the university and the community.
As disturbances occurred over the past 30 years, the larger community demanded that university administration and VEISHEA leadership find a way to preserve the traditions valued by the community while controlling and containing unaffiliated events. It has been a difficult challenge for students actively engaged in organizing VEISHEA. Those who enjoy officially sanctioned activities are typically not the same students who engage in or encourage disruptive behavior and similarly, individuals who participate in disruptive behavior are not largely involved in official VEISHEA activities.
Attempts to restore VEISHEA to an incident-free event have come with financial and human resource costs. The VEISHEA Committee, the VEISHEA Advisory Council, university student affairs personnel and others all operate under pressure to preserve the good parts of VEISHEA yet prevent further disturbances.
There is also an unspoken charge to all of those involved in VEISHEA: Give us the
beloved daytime activities, and deter excessive alcohol consumption and disruptive behavior. Each year the cost of trying to meet this challenge has increased in terms of operating expenses, staff overtime and other university and community resources.
Simply proposing to do more of the same will not satisfy a community beleaguered by the disturbances. The 2014 VEISHEA Task Force must provide recommendations different from past proposals and acknowledge that VEISHEA cannot continue in its current form.
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Report Executive Summary
VEISHEA, one of the nation’s largest student-organized festivals and one of Iowa State’s oldest and most cherished traditions, began in 1922. However, over the years, the official VEISHEA agenda–student recruitment, showcasing academic programs, linking various communities, developing student leadership, fundraising and positive social opportunities – has shared the stage with an unofficial agenda – partying, excessive alcohol consumption and disruptive behavior. Since the late 1980s, when the first VEISHEA-associated disturbance occurred, the unofficial agenda began to overshadow the official one.
In 1985, during VEISHEA weekend’s “Ash Bash,” which was sponsored by Greek houses on Ash Avenue, cars were overturned and burned.
In 1988, a riot took place early Sunday morning during VEISHEA weekend. People in a crowd of approximately 5,000 threw bottles, bricks and rocks and made a bonfire from furniture on Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way. The rioting followed smaller disturbances the two previous nights associated with parties being shut down in the Campustown area, which resulted in policies regarding keg sales. Of the 45 people arrested, 25 were Iowa State students.
In 1992, an 8,000-person disturbance received national media coverage. A total of 27 rioters were arrested and 47 were treated for injuries. The number of students arrested and injured could not be determined at the time this report was submitted.
In 1994, during VEISHEA weekend, people in a large crowd threw cans, bottles and rocks at police. A total of 20 people were arrested; 11 were students.
In 1997, a VEISHEA visitor (non-Iowa State student) was murdered near the Iowa State Adelante fraternity house, prompting Iowa State administration to rule that in the future, VEISHEA would be alcohol-free.
In 1998, students in a crowd of approximately 300 chanted profanities, set off fireworks and attempted to tear down a light pole in the Towers Residence Hall courtyard before being dispersed by police. The spontaneous event was viewed as a protest against the first “Dry VEISHEA,” which took place later that spring.
In 1999, during a planned protest event three weeks before the second “Dry VEISHEA” and near the anniversary of the previous Towers Residence Hall disturbance, students committed vandalism and chanted profanity in a crowd that moved from the Towers to The Knoll and then to Jack Trice Stadium. The crowd stopped at various points on campus in between to rally loudly. The event was viewed as a protest against “Dry VEISHEA.”
In 2004, a riot of approximately 2,000 people disrupted the festival and prompted Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy to suspend VEISHEA for 2005. A total of 37 people were arrested, including 22 students and 3 recent alumni. VEISHEA returned as an annual event in 2006.
In 2009, a large fight erupted at the clock tower on Welch Avenue.
In 2012 a fatal fall occurred on Chamberlain Street.
In 2013, a large crowd overturned a car on Welch Avenue.
In 2014, a Tuesday night disturbance involving approximately 1,000 people compelled Iowa State University President Steven Leath to cancel the remainder of the week’s activities. Soon after, President Leath appointed the 2014 Task Force to assess the role, relevance, and appropriateness of VEISHEA and other university-wide celebrations for the future.
A review of past VEISHEA disturbances reveals a number of commonalities. First, all were celebratory riots (riots not connected to one, specific issue); all were affected by alcohol use and abuse; and all occurred in weather conditions that were significantly better than the weeks leading up to the event. All of the previous disturbances were taken seriously and reviewed thoroughly. In 1992 and again in 2004, the Task Forces compiled lists of recommendations. The university implemented many of the strategies these Task Forces recommended and many remain in place, with various levels of continuity and adaptation. For example, Iowa State and Ames Police instituted various programs designed to build positive relationships with students. These measures include the implementation of keg ordinances, revisions to the Student Code of Conduct and working within Ames Crime Free Multi-Housing Program to encourage landlords to implement crime-related eviction clauses.
Following the 2004 Task Force recommendations, VEISHEA moved all entertainment programs away from Campustown bars and on to campus grounds, expanded late night entertainment offerings designed to mitigate the potential for disturbances in Campustown, and eventually initiated a wristband policy for admission to the large entertainment venue(s) in order to make access to concerts primarily available to members of the Cyclone family.
The 2014 disturbance, compared to those of the past, had two stark differences: 1) the disturbance was on a Tuesday night rather than on the weekend; and 2) it occurred before the usual influx of visitors and primarily involved Iowa State students.
The VEISHEA riots also are part of a national trend of riots that have increased in recent years. The 2004 Task Force documented the trend at the time: Nationwide, there were 64 of these disturbances between 1985 and 1995, an average of 5.8 per year. There were 29 in 2000, 25 in 2001 and 30 in 2002.
A cursory examination of recent news reports indicates the upward trend continues. If anything, campus disturbances have been increasing at an alarming rate. This spring, numerous colleges and universities (including Iowa State) dealt with disturbances that resulted in hundreds of arrests and several injuries. It is characteristic of celebratory riots to have no clear purpose or rationale. Violence may be the goal of a few instigators, but they are enabled by crowds of onlookers, often cheering them on.
At Iowa State, crowds and riots were sparked when police enforced alcohol policies or responded to complaints about loud and unruly parties. Over the past three decades, two separate VEISHEA trends have emerged: the official VEISHEA consisting of engaged students, Ames citizens and Iowa State alumni and their families; and the unofficial VEISHEA consisting of some Iowa State students and out-of-town visitors who come to party.
A number of factors that contribute to the initiation and perpetration of crowd violence have been present at troublesome VEISHEAs: (1) social cues that a riot may occur, perpetuated by the media, Iowa State policies, student conversations, and the reputation of VEISHEA itself; (2) excessive alcohol consumption; (3) the availability of an instant crowd afforded by large off-campus parties, high-density
housing in Campustown, attendance at official VEISHEA events and (more recently) cell phone and social media use; and (4) good weather as winter comes to an end.
Task Force members agree that the university community must do all it can to minimize the likelihood of future disturbances, including loss of life, injuries, property destruction and reputational damage. The Task Force voted unanimously to discontinue VEISHEA in its current form. Twelve of the 17 voting members in attendance that day also voted to eliminate the name “VEISHEA.” Additionally, 11 of 17 members voted in favor of having an overarching, university-wide event or series of events. The Task Force has developed recommendations that would accompany a decision to discontinue VEISHEA, and to develop an event that would significantly differ from VEISHEA.
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Background
Iowa State University’s annual VEISHEA celebration was interrupted the night of April 8, 2014, after a large crowd moved into Campustown following the break-up of a large house party at 11 p.m. at 2621 Hunt Street. By 11:20 p.m., the group grew to a 500-600 person crowd as they moved to Welch Avenue and overturned a car.
Officers then staged crowd control equipment and had the flipped vehicle towed. Ten minutes later the crowd, which had grown to approximately 1,000, moved to Stanton Avenue and overturned a second car. Ames police officers blocked the north end of Stanton Avenue with their cars to prevent the group from spilling onto Lincoln Way, prompting the crowd to erupt into further violence by throwing beer cans and bottles, rocks, fireworks and other objects at the officers. Members of the crowd broke out the windows of two additional vehicles. The officers then backed their two squad cars out of the crowd, and the crowd continued north on Stanton Avenue, west on Lincoln Way toward Welch Avenue, and then ran to the clock tower.
At this point people climbed trees, the clock tower, ATM machines and buildings chanting “USA” and “VEISHEA.” At 12:25 a.m. the crowd tore down four stops signs and two light poles on Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street. One light pole struck a male Iowa State student who suffered a serious head injury and was transported to the intensive care unit at a Des Moines hospital. Haven Security assisted police officers and fire fighters in retrieving the injured student from the crowd and transferred him to the ambulance. Additional off-duty Ames police officers were called to help handle the situation. At 12:40 a.m., police gave commands in person and by bullhorn to disperse the crowd, and people gradually moved on.
Many participants appeared to view the situation as an entertaining and engaging spectacle or game. Rapid communication via cell phones and social media, lack of awareness of or adherence to riot law, and a general sense of police versus rioters were elements of the disturbance.
In addition to the one serious injury reported, there was significant risk to those at the scene. Those with minor injuries were treated on scene and at a local hospital.
Over the following days, video and images of the violence and destruction were transmitted by news agencies across the country, resulting in millions of dollars of negative publicity for Iowa State University and the City of Ames.
The following values are a summary of the damages and arrests from the entire week, including the Tuesday night disturbance. Most of the cost estimates below arise from the Tuesday night disturbance, however, “Event OT” covers the cost of additional officer presence for the remainder of the week.
Damage
• Light Poles $12,523
• Signs $1,038
• Event OT $27,600
• Cars $8,694
Ames Police Department (Ames PD) charges/arrests
• Week: 82 arrests; 59 citations; 760 incidents/calls
• Friday-Saturday: 57 arrests; 31 citations; 275 incidents/calls
Iowa State University Department of Public Safety (ISU DPS) charges/arrests
• Total Charges: 156
• Total People Charged: 125
• Total Arrests: 62
Iowa State University Office of Judicial Affairs (OJA) charges
The Iowa State University Office of Judicial Affairs charged 12 students in connection with the disturbances. Charges in the various cases include violations from the following list from the ISU Disciplinary Regulations:
• Harassment
• Disruption of Rights
• Public Disorder, Group Violence & Mass Disturbance
• Contempt
• Theft or Damage to Property or Services
• Violation of Any Local, State, or Federal Law
Three cases have been finalized, with one still pending an appeal. Each finalized case included sanctions that involve a period of suspension, written apology letters, community service and financial restitution. Two cases were recently adjudicated and outcomes are forthcoming. Four cases are scheduled for adjudication at the time of this writing. Three cases are in the process of being scheduled.
Hearing routes used in adjudication of the cases:
• Agreed Resolution – 1
• All-University Judicial Committee (AUJ) hearings – 4 completed; 3 pending
• Administrative Procedures Act (APA) hearings – 4 pending
As of July 11, 2014, no additional students were charged in association with the April 8 disturbance.
The eve nts of April 8 marked the sixth time serious VEISHEA-related incidents had occurred since 1988, although the previous eight VEISHEA celebrations (2006 through 2013) were relatively peaceful.
The following afternoon of Wednesday, April 9, Iowa State University President Steven Leath suspended the remainder of VEISHEA 2014, effective at 5 p.m. that day. The cancellation included the majority of official VEISHEA activities: the parade, VEISHEA Village, Stars Over VEISHEA, all evening concerts and performances, and all food vendors. President Leath stressed the importance of concern for the injured student and the need to ensure the safety of the community.
