The Battalion - November 18, 2020

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA

BONFIRE REMEMBRANCE ON PG. 3

AROUND THE SEC ON PG. 4

Texas A&M reports seventh COVID-19 cluster Kappa Alpha Theta confirmed as third sorority cluster since August By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ Texas A&M reported another COVID-19 cluster at the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority on

Friday, Nov. 13. This is the third A&M sorority to report a cluster, following Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Delta Delta in August, and the seventh overall cluster reported. The Kappa Alpha Theta cluster was reported via A&M’s COVID-19 cluster notification requirement webpage, which is required by the U.S. Department of Education’s Clery Act.

A&M uses three variables to identify clusters on campus: The number of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 in relation to population size, the activities in common among the COVID-19 positive individuals and the mitigating factors, or lack thereof, that had taken place to prevent the spread of the virus, including social distancing and face coverings.

A&M reported 488 total positive cases in the week of Nov. 8-14, making it the largest number of cases reported in one week. In November, the testing positivity rate has been around eight percent with over 10,500 total tests performed so far this month. There are currently 397 active cases reported as of Nov. 14.

PUBLICATION NOTICE Next week’s edition of The Battalion will be printed on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in preparation of students leaving for Thanksgiving break. The Battalion’s last edition of the semester will be printed on Monday, Dec. 7. Over Thanksgiving break, readers can follow The Battalion on our social media feeds and on thebatt.com for breaking news and updates.

Remembering the 12 Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

The 2020 Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony occurred at 2:42 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The following week, Student Bonfire Burn will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and will be live-streamed.

Student Bonfire showcases Aggie Spirit, continues to honor victims of 1999 Bonfire Collapse two decades later By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher

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s the anniversary of Bonfire Collapse approaches, students remember those who passed away in the tragedy and share how, after two decades, Bonfire still strives to embody the spirit of those fallen Aggies. At 2:42 a.m. on Nov. 18, 1999, the Aggie Bonfire collapsed, killing 12 Aggies and injuring 27. This was a time of mourning for not just members of the Aggie family but for onlookers all over the world. This year, on the 21st anniversary, many will make their way to the Bonfire Memorial to remember their loved ones or honor fellow Aggies. Bonfire began as a tradition showcasing

the Aggies’ burning desire to beat their football rivals, the Texas Longhorns. Now, Student Bonfire is no longer affiliated with Texas A&M University, but still describes itself as “the undying flame of love that every loyal Aggie carries in their heart for the school.” Student Bonfire member and recreational parks and tourism sciences junior Samantha Wright said their organization is one of the few environments where students can still get an “Old Army” feeling. “Bonfire before 1999 carried a lot of the spirit of what Aggieland was back then,” Wright said. “Everyone was a part of it, every dorm had a crew, the whole state of Texas knew what it was. Now, we do our best to carry on the spirit, but with a lot of new safety measures.” Student Bonfire member and bioenvironmental science senior Keagan Hathorn said as a result of the tragedy the organization emphasizes new safety precautions. “There’s a lot of similar hierarchy and leadership, but one of the biggest differences is that we make it a priority that every log

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

A variety of COVID-19 testing locations are available for students around campus.

University urges students to test for COVID-19

included in Bonfire touches the ground,” Hathorn said. “Before, Bonfire was assembled like a wedding cake with a lot of layers that made it super tall. This looked cool but was ultimately unsafe.” On the day of Remembrance, Student Bonfire shuts down all operations. Wright said the organization encourages members to attend the Bonfire Memorial Ceremony in lieu of assembling logs. “We don’t work from the night of the 17 to the morning of the 18,” Wright said. “We go to the ceremony without anyone wearing Student Bonfire apparel because we don’t want to make it about us in any way.” Hathorn said it’s especially important to remember the young individuals who passed away because they show that life can’t be taken for granted. “There were 12 people that passed away and six of them were freshman,” Hathorn said. “They were only here for three or four months at that time. They were people just like us who had hopes, dreams, aspirations

Texas A&M is encouraging all students to get free testing for COVID-19 at any of the eight on-campus locations available this week. The university sent this information in a university-wide email on Nov. 16, following spikes in student cases and recent clusters identified in the Corps of Cadets, Emergency Medical Services and a sorority. The email stated that students should complete an online pre-registration form even if they are not on campus, test off-campus, have already tested positive or do not wish to take the test for other reasons. Chief Medical Officer for Student Health Services Tiffany Skaggs said testing is very

REMEMBRANCE ON PG. 2

TESTING ON PG. 3

Eight free COVID-19 testing options available before Thanksgiving break By Julia Potts @juliaapotts

SEC postpones A&M-Ole Miss A&M has second game delayed as some players complete quarantine protocol Staff Report

Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

Several positive COVID-19 cases and quarantine protocols within the A&M football program have caused the Nov. 21 game against Ole Miss to be postponed.

After having its Nov. 14 game at Tennessee postponed to Dec. 12 due to several positive COVID-19 cases within the football program, No. 5 Texas A&M’s Nov. 21 matchup with Ole Miss has also been postponed. The postponement is a result of the “continued quarantine of individuals within the Texas A&M football program,” according to a release from the SEC. Following the Aggies’ Nov. 7 game at South Carolina, one player and one staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Sophomore safety Demani Richardson had tested positive the week prior to the matchup. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said during his press conference on Monday that the team currently has only one active case as one player has already been cleared of COVID-19. Though the Aggies haven’t been able to

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have a regular practice since before the South Carolina game. Fisher said he isn’t concerned about the team regressing. “They know they have a chance to have a very good season, are having a very good season, and guys like to play and push themselves when things are going well and hopefully when things aren’t going well,” Fisher said. “That’s a testament to who you are. Life is about changes, it’s about adaptation it’s about making the best out of situations. I think this is a great lesson for them in life.” While the past week has been challenging for the team, the Aggies have found a way to stay productive in preparation for the rest of the season, senior offensive tackle Carson Green said. “Last week we didn’t know if we were playing, then we found out we weren’t playing,” Green said. “The main things we’re doing now is working out and studying a lot of film just on us individually.” For Green, this week’s postponement is just another obstacle in an already bumpy year. POSTPONED ON PG. 4


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