It appears that Bonfire Coalition has gotten approval to have a cut. What all this entails, I'm not sure. Anybody know the details?

So we have cut, but no Bonfire? That is weird.

couldn't find anything on the websites about it, but they seem slow on updating it

That's definately the first I've heard of that... Anybody got more info?

This would be VERY good news if true.

Considering they didn't know what Cut was until they met with UP last year, this should be interesting...

Here is an email that was sent to the BC listserv. My guess it would only be one weekend, but it's a start.

Howdy,

This spring the Bonfire Coalition for Students, a Texas A&M student organization, is beginning a new service project and we need your help! To carry on in the spirit of the Aggie Bonfire tradition and help pass down valuable knowledge about the process, Bonfire Coalition for Students will be clearing land in the traditional style of clearing trees and brush by hand, while enforcing strict safety protocols on its volunteers. We will have our volunteers trained by a Forest Service safety specialist and an on-site training forum for Former Students who would like to take part in this event, in the safe and proper procedures and practices of clearing timber and brush. The University is aware of our plans and has given their approval on this project. The last part missing from this project's success is land to be cleared. If your land is close to Aggieland and is need of clearing, please contact the Bonfire Coalition for Students Vice Chair through our website, www.BonfireCoaliton.com or call us at (979)-693-3954 in the near future. We appreciate your continued support for the Bonfire tradition and our work to bring Aggie Bonfire back to campus. Thanks and Gig ‘Em.

Sincerely
Nick Levitt ‘04

BCS Vice Chair
nlevitt45@yahoo.com
H: (979)-693-3954
C: (979)-575-8081

its a good start but I want to know what are they gonna do with the trees they cut down. It might be a good idea for us to help with the cut and then say we can take those logs off your hands for you.

*Wishful Thinking* Maybe, one day, we can work with BCS to publicise cut on campus and we are the people that deal with the logs once they are down... Kinda like a cleanup crew for the trees.

This is very exciting. Though I am a bit wary if this actually going to be "cut" or a land clearing project that does not resemble cut. I am eager to find out more.

When is the schedule for this? I don't like the idea of having cut in the spring, but I also dont like the idea of competing cuts.

Y, that's what I was thinking...


I dunno, I have mixed feelings about it. I think it's a good idea and I guess we'll see how it all plays out - this should be interesting.

I too wonder what will happen to the logs and brush they clear. It'd be bad if someone got a wild idea to burn it and try to keep it under wraps - I just hope people aren't that stupid. edit: I mean - as a university sanctioned thing... given the university's stance on off-campus bonfires.

[This message has been edited by northsidegreek06 (edited 2/18/2004 4:47p).]

let me get this right

cut in the spring...and replant in the fall

anyone else confused

IDMA

I know a guy that was in BCS and he was telling me that they were trying to look for land last fall but it didn't work out.

Okay, for the couple of you who are already looking at this UP vs BC (not in scheduling, but in spirit) - drop it. This is EXCELLENT news, no matter when it happens.

Who cares if they don't actually burn those logs? This is a VERY good first step, and why organizations like BC and UP can have the same goal and work very differently to get there.

I don't speak for UP (never have, though I've been accused of it), but I can promise anyone concerned that UP isn't going to cancel Bonfire '04 because the admin is approving one cut. I'm sure when the admin finally agrees to put the real thing back on campus that concessions by each side will have to be made, but knowing the UP leaders, I can pretty much promise anyone that if an acceptable Bonfire isn't burning on-campus, there'll be one burning off-campus.

Again, if this pans out, is very, very, very good news for campus, and good news politically for the Pro-Bonfire movement.

[This message has been edited by Bonfire03 (edited 2/19/2004 4:59p).]

I'd feel more confident in the message and safety if (and I can't imagine who would be able to do this) there were people that managed to kill better than a thousand trees in a couple months and learned what they know from generations of Aggies that passed that knowledge down.

I support the spirit that BC is promoting, but I'd have reservations unless anybody could come up with someone who has actually cut before. Gee golly I wish I could think of students that had. And if there are people like that, I bet BC has looked beyond their noses to ask for that cut knowledge to make the event as safe and genuine as possible. I am sure of it.

It will be great for everyone involved and definitely assure absolute safety that the BC is engrained with the vital safety expertise found only in pop quizes. i.e. - When were Redpots first recognized? Risk management genius.

I don't know...maybe a BC cut early on in the semester could help encourage participants for SB Aggie Bonfire Cut. But, then again, if BC cut is nothing like 'real cut' it might just suck. I do agree that anything that helps the return of Bonfire to campus is a good thing.

OCHWFLAKASSOBRTTEFE! A-WHOOP!

isn't that just free labor used to clear land?

I'd say it's too early to make any judgements, but it SEEMS to be a step in the right direction.

However, the lack of details and the tongue tied silence of BC regulars around here leads me to believe that there's more to the story than is being told. Maybe just some details that need to be worked out, who knows?

And just because they are looking for land now, doesn't mean they are planning to do this in the spring.

Bonfire03- I agree with the general meaning of your last post. It is indeed a good move. I am very surprised that Cut is even being talked about, because that was the first thing that got wrote off even before Bowen's final announcement.

However, I do still have reservations. There is no garuntee that this is 100% positive. Just remember what SB/UP has always had in the back of their minds...if we screw up, this is another nail in the coffin of Bonfire returning. I want to make sure this is done by people who know their stuff. I also want to make sure that the traditions are passed down. I mean, killing trees is great, but I think we are all hoping for Cut. One final thing is I just hope that this isn't used as leverage aginst students to accept unfavorable policy decisions or pulled out as a gimmick to undercut SB. Remember, Bonfire has been a 100% political issue to the administration since '99. Otherwise, we would already have it back. [/end rant

[This message has been edited by Mr. (edited 2/19/2004 9:10p).]

Of course there's nothing guaranteed - let's wait and see what happens.

Mr. you're right... and the only people that know the true intentions of the politics are those people themselves. Sure it's great for the pro-bonfire movement. I totally agree... I just hope that it all works out for the best. And I also would like to hope it's not a way for admin to stifle the sucess of SB. Hopefully this will help both organizations in their efforts.

No one ever answered my question asked to what BC actually does... more work like this, I give em a pat on the back and I'd be more than willing to support them. However, I have not seen much in the past, so I don't have much to base a good opinion on them. Can someone enlighten me? I am still in the dark on what BC does. (not trying to make this a SB/BC fued...I just really want to know.)

I'm not sure who all of the new SB Grey pots are, but it might be worth talking with BC and coordinating efforts. It would seem that BC still needs land, which SB has. I would also think that the land owner (SB friendly) would have a say in what happened to the trees that were cut down at the BC cut. I see great potential for the two groups to work together and both get what they want. I think most of the people involved in the Magnolia fire incident are gone now, so I see no reason for the two groups to fight each other.

I could be mistaken, but I thought there was absolutely no way that BC could associate themselves with SB or they would be disbanded as an organization. If that's the case, there is no way that SB is ever going to see those logs. It sounds like a good opportunity to get out there and do some training, but I just don't see the two groups working together with one being a recognized organization.

In the past BC did not want to associate themselves with SB because it appered that we (SB) 'support' the 'underworld' of Bonfire.

We offered to help BC with their education schemes and we offered to allow them to come cut and attend Bonfire. Of course BC as an orginization cannot attend, just as the band, football players, dorms, or outfits cannot either. I believe that the University see us as rebels that they cannot control that makes it hard for BC to take a stance other than the standoffish one that they have had.

*my thoughts* They could invite us to work with them just as the TABS could work with Habitat for Humanity even though Habitat for Humanity is not university sanctioned.

I am glad that some action is finially coming out of BC. (the lack of action is why i chose to leave the org when is first started.)

[This message has been edited by slim-jim (edited 2/22/2004 10:57p).]

We can't expect BC to press their luck by trying to walk some thin line of "affiliation".
However, if they were serious about their mission and doing it well, they would at least see what individuals from the SB organization have to offer them. There is a wealth of resources for them to tap there, and if they didnt at the very least sit down and talk shop with some SB people on a personal level, it would be a childish mistake.

In the interest of not seeing these posts continue, especially if it leads to attacks...

I've already sat down with Alex (Chair of BC) and talked about the direction of the two groups from this point on. I'm not saying yet whether it will be positive or not, just wanted everyone to know that conversations took place.

We'll see...

Howdy Ags,

Hopefully I can clear up a lot of the questions y'all have about this event and issues regarding BC/BCS. If you would like to know anything else, please contact me via email at apk2003@yahoo.com or post your concerns on this forum.

1) The entire purpose of the land clearing project is to promote the service aspect of Bonfire. As in the past, people in the area need there land cleared and this is the most inexpensive way to do so. Along with SB cut, it will also prove to the administration that we as students recognize the importance of safety and that we are mature enough to have cut back. Once Bonfire actually returns to campus, we will then be able to cut instead of having the logs harvested for us. It will also give Aggies another opportunity to get a taste of the hard work that goes into Bonfire.

2) We have experienced former and current students from the class of '65 all the way to '03 (all former students are welcome) that will help teach the techniques of cut and ensure the safety of the project. There will also be professionals that will present an indepth cut class which is mandatory to attend for all those who actually go out to the site. We are also very open to comments and concerns from the SB leadership.

3) As of now, we are only allowed to take BCS members and former students out to clear land. Once the project gets going, we will be able to invite other organizations and students that would like to get involved. This is at the request of Student Activities to ensure safety and supervision during the first few outings.

4) Since this is only a service project, we will merely destroy what we cut in small piles. Obviously, we would love to to something different with them, but we have to take it one step at a time. Fortunately, there is SB and Magnolia in the fall.

5) The project will definitely resemble cut as far as procedure is concerned. Machetes and axes. Chainsaws only for use after the trees are down.

6) This project will NEVER happen in the fall. It is only in the Spring because we respect SB and do not ever want any competition between the groups.

7) The land we scheduled in the fall (to be cleared this spring) fell through. That is why we are currently searching for more. All suggestions are welcome.

8) We are not looking to pass down dorm traditions or anything like that because we know that is being done elsewhere and we respect that. It is no secret that we are a political organization. We are not trying to replace Bonfire cut with this project, only teach the basics while respecting SB and the wishes of the administration.

9) As far as what BC/BCS does, most of it is behind the scences. We do quite a bit, but it is just not the kind of work that should be publicized regularly because we are not here to take credit for anything and we don't want to toot our own horn. But our most recent tasks have involved help with getting the moratorium lifted (which will be officially announced shortly - although the memorial ribbon must be placed on all Aggie Bonfire merchandise), Bonfire Remembrance Day, speaking to Aggie Mom's clubs, constant on campus Bonfire promotion, reaching out to other organizations, speaking at Fish Camps/NSCs, raising money for the Memorial Fund and service projects such as the food drive and land clearing, speaking to dorms about Bonfire history, etc. We are working on keeping everyone informed about these events (website and listserv) in the near future now that everything is rolling.

10) I personally silenced anyone from BCS (other than myself) to speak to the press or post on these forums simply to avoid public disputes between groups based on the opinions of individuals. Hopefully that will change once both groups learn more about each other.

11) What happened in the past with BC/SB is the past. I believe that the meeting with Luke and I went very well and only positive things will come from it. The way I see it, Pro Bonfire Aggies are a minority in comparison to the rest of the world. There is no reason for us to compete or bicker anymore. The end result for both groups is having Bonfire on campus the way it was before. It is just necessary for us to both continue what we are doing so that it will happen as soon as possible. The similarities of the groups far outweigh the differences, even if we are trying to bring back Bonfire for different reasons. SB focuses on the hard work and cameraderie of Bonfire as well as pass downs, etc. while BC focuses on getting something burning on campus (then fight for cut, etc.) so that everyone can enjoy it alongside the band, yell leaders, and football team. The causes are both very important even if some believe one reason is more important than the other. As everyone knows, we cannot flat out endorse SB. But that does not mean we can't talk or discuss Bonfire related issues. It also does not mean that students can't join both groups or believe in the same end goal. As an organization, BC does not believe that SB is the 'underworld' of Bonfire or rebels. Some individuals may see it that way just as some members of SB may see BC in a negative light. I believe that is only from ignorance that we can all work on mending as fellow Aggies.

In short, anyone who is Pro Bonfire should support both groups and their events. It is just a matter of truly understanding the situation and allowing people to pursue the cause the best way they know how.

Thanks & Gig 'Em,
Alex King '03

Alex, I am very impressed.. If things go positively I whole heartedly endorse the spring cut....

my main fear is that the universtity is trying to controll the Bonfire thoughts and actions and keep them contained. (In some aspects there needs to be outside management.) I feel that if there was a fall cut by BC that it would be detremental to Bonfire as a whole, but is seems that is has been discussed and settled that it wouldn't happen.

Alex,

Since only BCS people and former students can participate, what is involved in becoming a part of BCS, and is there a limit on the number of people you will allow to participate if they all want to join? I only bring this up because of the negative feelings after the Hotard fire and the first SB (UP) fire because they were both "exclusive" and not everyone could participate that wanted to.

quote:

---

the first SB (UP) fire because they were both "exclusive" and not everyone could participate that wanted to

---

Check your facts on that one...

quote:

---

10) I personally silenced anyone from BCS (other than myself) to speak to the press or post on these forums simply to avoid public disputes between groups based on the opinions of individuals. Hopefully that will change once both groups learn more about each other.

---

Good idea but it may have harvested more anti-BC sentiment because people could not find out information readily on what was going on w/ ya'll. That's all I was tryin to ask...the only things I knew about ya'll were opinionated and I was tryin to find out what was going on from a more objective source. Thanks for clearing some of that up. Good luck.

Agstudent,

Unfortunately, our Constitution only allows us to take new members at the beginning of each semester. We planned it that way to hold our members accountable for coming to meetings and supporting all of our events. Last year we did not have an application process or hold people accountable and we had to reinvent the wheel every meeting. But we do not limit the number of members we have and we accept everyone as long as they get the paperwork in on time. I will check with Nick (Vice Chair) to see if we can work something out for this semester to get more students to help with the land clearing.

NSG06,

You are completely right and I wish I had posted a lot of this information earlier. I will keep up with these forums to help clear things up more from now on.

quote:

---

the first SB (UP) fire because they were both "exclusive" and not everyone could participate that wanted to

---

This is factually accurate. You HAD to attend a cut-class, not pretend like you were at one.