Homecoming 2009 Bonfire Rules and Guidelines

1. The bonfire is a yearly homecoming event in which all students, organizations, and teams from the university can participate and are invited to build and guard.
2. There will be a total of 200 points available to all organizations participating in the Spirit Stick competition. The Spirit Stick points can be earned in two different areas:
   1. Building: All organizations are eligible to receive points in this area. An organization will earn 1 point for every hour each person works to build the bonfire. A maximum of 150 points can be earned for building, with a maximum of 30 points awarded per week.
   2. Guarding: All organizations that have met the minimum requirements for building will be eligible to sign up for a guarding date. Your organization must have worked at least 50 hours in order to guard. Any organization that signs up and guards will receive 50 points (one time only). Guarding is from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. There will be a meeting for all organizations that are eligible before guarding begins.
   3. Students not competing in the Spirit Stick competition, along with ASU faculty and staff are invited to participate in this event.
3. Students, organizations and/or team members will be required to sign-in and out with the designated cadet responsible for points. Students who do not sign-in and out will not receive points. If a student forgets to sign-in and has already worked an hour, they will not receive points for that hour. Point accumulation begins when they sign-in.
4. Students must work a minimum of one full hour before points will be given. Credit will then be awarded to the nearest 15-minute increment.
5. Students who are caught not working (i.e., sitting around, talking, etc.) or who “disappear” will be sent home and will not receive points.
6. ROTC will provide gloves and the items that are needed to build the bonfire. The dress code is old jeans, covered shoes, and caps (optional). Volunteers will NOT be allowed to wear sandals, shorts, or jewelry to the bonfire site. The dress code will be strictly enforced. You will be asked to leave and will not receive any points if you are wearing any of these items. This is for safety. Sunblock is recommended for everyone, especially for those sensitive to heat and sunlight.
7. Only wood products may be used to burn (i.e., pallets or spools). No petroleum products, tar from roofing supplies, plastics, or fiberglass will be permitted.
8. Construction will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, construction will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until 2:00 p.m. There will be rare occasions during the week when no cadet will be available to work. In such cases, NO CONSTRUCTION will be done and no points will be awarded. DO NOT attempt to work on the bonfire in any way without cadet staff personnel present. If you are unsure if we will be working on a particular day, contact Cadet Avera at (817) 673-3676. Times and days are subject to change.
9. Guarding will begin October 5th. In order for organizations to participate in guarding, they will have to work a minimum of 50 hours on the bonfire. In addition, the top three organizations with the most hours worked will be allowed to carry one of the torches after the pep rally. Those organizations will be announced at the pep rally.
10. When guarding begins, each team will be responsible for the bonfire site. No alcoholic beverages are allowed. Students, organizations, and/or teams caught with alcoholic beverages will be asked to leave by the University Police and will lose points for guarding. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted at the site.
11. Each organization/team will be responsible for cleaning the site at the end of their guarding time. If the site is not properly cleaned, the hours and points that have been awarded for guarding will not count.
12. Fires are allowed but they have to be small and under control. No unnecessary burning of wood or trash will be tolerated. If fires do get out of control, the water hoses are located to the north of the bonfire site, facing the cemetery. Periodic safety checks will be held throughout the building of the bonfire by the city fire marshal.Note: Fires will not be allowed if San Angelo is under a burn ban.
13. Safety is paramount and no horseplay will be tolerated. In the event that an injury occurs, an individual will either be taken to the University Clinic or sent to the local emergency room.
14. On the day of the bonfire, the individuals carrying the torches must wear clothes that are made of 100% cotton. The only fuel used to ignite the fire will be diesel. ;No gasoline will be used. ROTC will direct the dousing of the bonfire. No synthetic fabrics will be allowed next to the fire. Individuals are not to park or stand close to the bonfire once it begins to burn, boundaries will be set, and cadets will be monitoring the area.
15. Bonfire points will be posted every Monday by 5 p.m. at the Aerospace Studies Department (Rassman 2nd Floor) and the Center for Student Involvement (UC, Garden Level).
16. Any dispute over points and/or documented hours must be reported within 24 hours of the posting (by 5 p.m. on Tuesday). After that point, no changes will be made.

If you have any questions regarding the bonfire or point calculations contact Cadet Avera at (817) 673-3676.