BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We are now going to turn our attention from a natural disaster to a man-made tragedy: last year's bonfire collapse at Texas A&M; University. School officials have scheduled a news conference later today on the future of the tradition that led to 12 people being crushed under an avalanche of timber. For the latest this morning, John Friess, of our affiliate News 8 Austin, is live now on campus in College Station. John, good morning to you.</s>JOHN FRIESS, NEWS 8 AUSTIN REPORTER: Good morning, Bill. Seven months and nearly $2 million later, we will finally learn the fate of the Texas A&M; bonfire. According to published reports, A&M; president Dr. Ray Bowen will announce today that a memorial service for the victims will be held this fall, while this university puts together a plan to bring back the 90-year-old tradition, a very scaled down and much more supervised tradition in 2002. Among the changes expected, the bonfire will not be a wedding cake structure like in years past and this tradition will no longer exclusively be a student-run event. Professional engineers will be brought in to supervise the construction in 2002 -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: And John, why 2002? That is two years away, was there any specific reason given why they take a two-year reprieve?</s>FRIESS: Well, obviously, they are looking at this blueprint, in terms of putting together a much safe bonfire construction after the tragedy last November. They are putting it off at least one year to put together this type of plan. They have a memorial service planned for 2000. We will have to see after that,</s>HEMMER: All right, John Friess, of our affiliate there News 8 Austin there in College Station, Texas. We will be tracking that news briefing later today. John, thanks to you.
Texas A&M; Expected to Announce Plan to Bring Back Bonfire Tradition in 2002