A&M students do safety-first bonfire
Posted on 11/10/2002 1:52:09 PM PST by MeekOneGOP
A&M students do safety-first bonfire
Off-campus efforts discouraged, but group wants tradition to stand
11/10/2002
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The buzz of chain saws and the crackling of trees toppling to the ground filled a densely wooded area east of College Station on Saturday as a group of Aggies worked to revive the university's bonfire tradition.
Wearing colored hard hats signifying leadership positions and wielding axes and machetes, the current and former Texas A&M University students worked in groups scattered throughout the woods, searching for dead elm trees to cut down and burn.
Luke Cheatham, spokesman for Unity Project, the group behind the off-campus bonfire, said students at the site hope to convince A&M administrators that the bonfire tradition can be revived safely. They plan to do this through example.
"You can still feel the spirit of bonfire out here. You can smell the dirt on your pants, pick up an ax again. It's an amazing feeling," said Mr. Cheatham, wearing a white T-shirt with the words "Bonfire 2002" printed across it.
But A&M continues to discourage construction of unauthorized off-campus bonfires, said Lane Stephenson, university spokesman. The hallowed 90-year-old A&M tradition has been on hold since 1999's deadly collapse that killed 12 Aggies and injured 27 others.
"Our concerns primarily are one of safety - safety for our students and for anyone else who might be involved. No university representation will be authorized for any such activity," he said.
Robert Gates, A&M's new president, has not indicated whether he will revisit the bonfire's future.
The tradition's status has been unclear since the Nov. 18, 1999, collapse of the 59-foot-high stack of more than 5,000 logs. An investigation blamed a lack of technical knowledge by student leaders; the absence of a written design; the university's "bias" against change; and the lack of a comprehensive strategy to manage and anticipate safety risks.
Mr. Cheatham, a senior civil engineering major, said Unity Project adheres as closely as possible to the tradition. But he said that doing it safely is paramount. Students who participate in the "cut" go through an onsite safety class before working. Special training is required to use chain saws or tractors.
Alcohol - consumed in the past during some bonfire preparations, but not called a factor in the 1999 collapse - is forbidden, Mr. Cheatham said. Machines, and not individuals, will be used to compact the log stack.
In February, former A&M President Ray Bowen announced that the tradition would not resume because of ballooning costs, legal liability and the lack of a safety consultant. But last year, several off-campus bonfires were burned around the state. This year, at least three are being held.
Unity Project plans to have its bonfire Nov. 24 at Boondocks Recreation Ranch, about 10 minutes outside College Station off State Highway 30. The bonfire will cover a 50-foot-by-50-foot square and be 10 to 15 feet high.
The ranch's owner, Robert Sybil, has donated the use of his land and its trees for the event.
The bonfire has traditionally has been lighted on the eve of A&M's football game against archrival University of Texas, which this year will be Nov. 29.
Jonathan King, an 18-year-old freshman among 70 people cutting down trees Saturday, said he had wondered what the experience of the bonfire was like.
"It's really great to participate in something like this. You feel part of something bigger," he said shortly after chopping down a tree. "Everybody works together."
Mac Lampton, 21, a senior computer science major, said many people mistakenly believe the bonfire's importance is in the burning of the logs. "Working hard, building friendships, that's the main reason," he said.
Robert A. Steinhagen, whose Dallas-based group Keep the Tradition is helping the students, said he doesn't believe that A&M intends to resume the bonfire.
"The students have done a good job to bring back the tradition and make sure it's safe," he said. "The only way it will continue is if the students do it themselves. It's an important tradition."
If that logic was used anywhere else, no one would drive, swim, dance, watch TV, or do really absolutely anything involving any element of risk. Stupidity truly knows no bounds.
I think it's a good idea that the current group is adamant about banning alcohol at cut. I can't say that I would have had the same viewpoint while at A&M, but then I'm a little wiser now.
Glad I got to take my son to the last successful bonfire. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember because he was only 2.
Class of '91
Dr. Gates, do your best to get the stack back on campus with center pole erected at Duncan Field (not the Polo field).
Gig 'Em Texas aTm Aggies.
Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88; Law Hall (may it R.I.P.) Ramp 9 Mule; f.u.p.
RIP? I'm having a case of the missing link.....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.