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Vice President for
Student Affairs
Student Body President
Dear Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff:
Over the past 11 months, Texas A&M has faced the challenge of surviving the loss of fellow Aggies as a result ofa
terrible accident involving one of our oldest traditions—Bonfire. In response to that tragedy, a tremendous amount
of time and effort has gone into the study and evaluation of Aggie Bonfire. We must now begin the work of
rebuilding our 90-year-old tradition so that our campus will never again experience such a tragedy.
These two pages outline the organizational structure that will lead us to a new bonfire in 2002. Our first goal is to
establish a plan for a bonfire that complies with both the principles outlined in the report of the Special Commission
on the 1999 Texas A&M Bonfire and safety parameters for future bonfires announced by Dr. Bowen on July 16. We
must focus on this primary goal, while working toward our second goal of ensuring that student leadership is central
to the bonfire tradition.
The Steering Committee and task forces described here were formed for two reasons: 1) to guide the process for
restarting the Aggie Bonfire tradition and 2) to assure maximum input by students and the A&M community in this
process. The steering committee and task forces are comprised of students, faculty, staff, and technical experts
from our community. The six task forces reporting to the Steering Committee are grouped into two categories: 1)
safety and construction issues and 2) student leadership and Aggie culture issues. Each of the six task forces is
co-chaired by one student and one member of the faculty or staff. We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to
be involved by:
Reading the information presented on these two pages
Staying apprised of the progress of the task forces by checking the Student Affairs website at: http://
studentaffairs.tamu.edu
Bringing your questions and opinions to the open forums on November 16, February 15, and other
occasions as will be announced.
Aggie Bonfire is one of many traditions that characterize Texas A&M University’s uniqueness. Let’s continue to
uphold another Aggie tradition—the Aggie family—as we unite and work together to develop a plan for future
Bonfires.
Sincerely,
J. Malon Southerland Forrest Lane
A Steering Committee has been established to lead and coordinate the University’s effort to develop and plan Bonfire 200,gconsistent with
the Bonfire Commission Report and President Bowen’s directives. The Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Malon Southerland, Vice
President for Student Affairs, and Forrest Lane, Student Body President. The composition of the Committee will be approximately one-hali
students and one-half faculty/staff. Committee work will be facilitated by Bryan R. Cole, Assistant Vice President for Quality Leadership.K
report outlining the plan and Committee recommendations is to be submitted to President Bowen by April, 2001.
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Facilitate the development of world-class, student
leadership models consistent with the high expectations
of the Aggie leadership experience and Vision 2020.
Develop and plan the University response to the
Bonfire Commission Report and President
Bowen’s Directives for Bonfire 2002.
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Steering Committee Membership and Goals
Develop a plan for the design, training, construction and implementation of Bonfire 2002 that is consistent with the Bonfire Commission
Report and President Bowen’s parameters — while seeking to maintain and enhance student leadership development opportunities at
Texas A&M University.
Provide for independent expert review to determine safety and viability of the Bonfire plans.
Develop an evaluation and certification process for each succeeding Bonfire.
Utilize information from the task force findings and reports to enhance the level of student leadership development and advisement at
Texas A&M University.
Students
Angie Carmona
Student
Misty Cook
Class of 2003 President
Bill Davis
Student
Schulyer Houser
Traditions Council Chair
Josh Kaylor
Resident Hall President
Forrest Lane
Student Body President
Josh Rowan
Student
Austin Townsend
Former Redpot
Mark Welsh
Corps Commander
Faculty
Bryan Cole
Facilitator
Col. Shady Groves
Commandant’s Staff
Royce Hickman
Former Student Community Leader
Kevin Jackson
Risk Management
Chris Meyer
University Safety Office
Ron Sasse
Residence Hall Staff
Charles Sippial*
Vice President for Administration
Malon Southerland
Vice President for Student Affairs
Bob Strawser
Professor Accounting
Rusty Thompson
Bonfire Advisor
John Weese
Faculty
Come Share your Thoughts and Ask Questions
Concerning Bonfire 2002
TAMU Student/Faculty/Staff Open Forum: November 16, 2000 and February 15, 2001
(Time and Location to be Announced Later)
Check Updates and Submit Feedback at hftp;//studenta ffair.v. tamu.edu