February 16, 2005

Committee will develop implementation plan for Veishea groups' recommendations

Some recommendations of two groups that were assembled in the wake of last spring's Veishea disturbances are now in the hands of a newly named committee of university and Ames community members.

The "One Community" committee, led by Ames assistant city manager Bob Kindred and assistant to the Iowa State president Tahira Hira, will develop a plan for implementing recommendations aimed at building understanding and unity among the university and Ames communities.

One recommendation calls for developing and supporting a theme of "one community" among various groups in the Ames/university communities. A second recommendation calls for activities that encourage ISU students to become responsible Ames/ISU community members, who are knowledgeable about community rules and regulations.

The recommendations came from two groups -- one group that worked on ways to assure successful Veisheas and other student/community celebrations, and a second group seeking to improve relations among students and the university and Ames communities.

The "One Community" committee's first meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 22, (7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.) in the Memorial Union Gold Room. All meetings are open to the public.

Members of the committee are:

• Bob Kindred, assistant city manager and committee co-chair
• Tahira Hira, assistant to the president and committee co-chair
• Darryl Bennett, business community member
• Laura Bestler-Wilcox, assistant director, ISU Memorial Union
• Gloria Betcher, residential neighborhood representative
• Eric Peterson, ISU student
• Megan Todd, ISU student
• Andrew Tugan, ISU student
• Mary Wandling, at-large community member
• Zora Zimmerman, associate dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The "One Community" committee, following up on Veishea groups' recommendations, will develop a plan to build understanding and unity among the university and Ames communities.