Texas A&M University officials have tried to discourage students from building an off-campus bonfire.

"The University's policy has been the same all along we will do everything we can to discourage the students from doing this," said Cynthia Lawson, executive director of University Relations. "We would rather them channel their energy into a memorial for those who died and were injured."

From: The Daily Texan
10/30/2000
http://tinyurl.com/axzjk

If you look at the date of this quote you will see it was the first fall after the collapse. There was every reason for any sane individual to be opposed to another unsupervised fire. Use some common sense and quit trying to stir up anti administration vehemance with quotes over 5 years old! When the states atty general even allows them to discuss the matter then debate the topic in a TIMELY manner.

Gig'Em & God Bless

The admin, especially Dr. Gates are not the enemy of Bonfire. We need to focus on doing our job of keeping Bonfire true and safe, not on fighting our own school. Don't worry too much about comments from random low level admins. Here are some recent personal quotes from Dr. Robert Gates

"I believe you are exactly what you say - dedicated, devoted students who treasure the traditions of this great universityand do not want to see them disappear. It is a sentiment I share."

"While the Texas Attorney General's office has
insisted that I make no decisions about the future of Bonfire while the litigation continues, I look forward to a dialogue with and among the entire university community about the future once I am free to act."

Lew, Cindy Lawson was not a "random low level"administrator, she was the administration's official spokesperson at the time. She is now a Vice President of the University of North Carolina System.

Gig'Em & God Bless

[This message has been edited by TimsParents (edited 1/3/2006 9:54a).]

An interesting dichotomy, wouldn't you agree slimjim?

I'll have to agree with TimsParents on this one. Yes, the TAMU administration was opposed to KTFB, but so were most of the students.

I was in error saying low-level admins. I am concerned about the anti-admin attitudes you sometime meet. If they can't say anything about Bonfire then NO admins should say anything one way or the other. We have approval from the one that matters most, Dr. Gates. We need to be ready to defend Bonfire. Defending Bonfire doesn't mean being anti-admins, we are very lucky to have Dr. Gates. I am concerned that having, or being percieved as having a anti-admin stance will mean ASB will not have the voice it deserves should the time come to discuss returning Bonfire to an on-campus site.

i dont like gates al that much, but most of it isnt over bonfire. As long as he doesnt get any more active(or let any administration)in trying to stop OC bonfire....

Guys, let's be serious.

Yes, A&M is anti OC-Bonfire. They probably are *anyway*, and they'd have to be (even if they weren't).

However, if they REALLY wanted to make OC Bonfire go away, they could do it.

I've probably griped and complained more about the administration at large than anyone else on this board, but growing up a little in the last 5 years has shined a slightly different light on things.

Just be thankful they're not trying any harder than they are to stop Bonfire and, perhaps most importantly, deter participation from on-campus residents.

What purpose does it serve to dredge up a five-year-old quote?

If you want to follow something of significance regarding the future of on-campus Bonfire, monitor the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals web site.

Oral arguments in the latest attempt to overturn the state liability cap and indemnification of university officials were held more than 60 days ago.

I would expect a decision to be rendered shortly.

Gotta agree. What was the point in posting this?

no real purpose... just happened across a quote that states what I felt the University has been doing for a while.

I am not saying that the University is out to kill Student Bonfire. I just find it interesting that it was said publicly at some point in the past.