Group warned of punishment if bonfire burns

By staff and wire reports

August 1, 2000 Web posted at: 11:59 AM EDT (1559 GMT)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (The Houston Chronicle) -- Hoping to halt a renegade bonfire, Texas A&M University Vice President J. Malon Southerland warned students Monday of possible disciplinary actions if they proceed with plans as threatened.

Last November's bonfire collapse killed 12 students

Southerland met Monday with representatives of a group called "Keep the Fire Burning" to urge them not to build a bonfire, which they believe can be designed to be safer than the Aggie Bonfire that collapsed last November.

"Keep the Fire Burning" has talked with engineers, landowners, security experts, lawyers and others about building a bonfire for Nov. 22, despite a two-year ban on the annual Bonfire event.

After their meeting with Southerland, two group members told the Associated Press that an alternative bonfire is not a sure thing.

	More from The Houston Chronicle
	Documents requested in porn-blocking fight Storm provides relief from record heat wave Environmental crime unit gets grant No-show juror in UTMB trial faces contempt charge Santa Fe signs off on program promoting tolerance

Joe Dyson and Gary Crenshaw said their group is only exploring the possibility of an alternative bonfire. They are not sure when a decision will be made.

Their comments came even though Southerland and other school officials have made it clear they want no part in a bonfire this year.

"Texas A&M University will not support any bonfire off campus, now or in the future -- we will not condone it," Southerland said in a prepared statement. "We hope that anyone giving any consideration to this type of activity would think about all of the people who would be affected and the potential consequences that could result."

This past spring, A&M President Ray Bowen canceled the event until at least 2002 in the wake of the Nov. 18 collapse, which killed 12 and injured 27.

Given the extra time, Bowen hopes students and university officials can devise a safer design and construction procedures for the wooden stack that is lighted each year before the school's football game against the University of Texas Longhorns.

Bowen's decision has pitted his administration against students who believe the Bonfire tradition should continue.

"We realize the university will not allow this to happen on campus this fall," senior Will Clark, who helped establish "Keep the Fire Burning" three months ago, was quoted by the Bryan-College Station Eagle on Sunday. "Still, we feel that a safe bonfire can be built, and that's our plan. If we have to stop in the middle because it's not safe, we'll do that. A tradition is not worth a single life."

Although Southerland has threatened disciplinary actions, enforcing them could be tricky.

A university spokesman said students can be disciplined only if they represent a school-sponsored organization. If the students take an action off campus not associated with such an organization, the school cannot discipline them, the spokesman said.

For more Local news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

AR, Jonesboro, KAIT AR, Little Rock, KATV LA, Lafayette, KATC LA, Monroe, KNOE LA, Shreveport, KSLA OK, Oklahoma City, KOCO OK, Oklahoma City, KOKH OK, Tulsa, KOTV   TX, Abilene, KTXS TX, Amarillo, KFDA TX, Austin, KEYE TX, Austin, KXAN TX, Dallas KTVT TX, Dallas, WFAA TX, Harlingen-Weslaco, KRGV TX, Houston, KHOU TX, Houston, KPRC   TX, Lubbock, KAMC TX, San Antonio, KABB TX, San Antonio, KMOL TX, Tyler, KLTV TX, Waco, KWTX TX, Wichita Falls, KAUZ TX, Wichita Falls, KSWO