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No Comments [ Add Comment ]USU to review student organizations after student's death
By BROOKE NELSONPDF: Cache County Attorney Letters
LOGAN -- Utah State University has announced it will form a task force to review the operation of its student organizations following the death of freshman Michael Starks.
"We are saddened by this terrible tragedy," Provost Raymond Coward said Thursday.
Starks died Nov. 21 from alcohol poisoning. He was pledging to join the Sigma Nu fraternity.
The USU chapters of the Sigma Nu fraternity and Chi Omega sorority were charged with third-degree felony hazing Friday. Also, 12 members of the organizations were charged with misdemeanors that include hazing, supplying alcohol to a minor and obstruction of justice.
The task force will consist of six to eight senior faculty members and key administrators. Students also will provide input to the committee, which has been charged with reviewing USU's policies regarding student organizations.
Task force members will research what guidelines are working at other institutions.
He said it would be ideal to have the task force present its recommendations by the end of the semester, but the process will not be rushed.
The task force will ensure the university is doing everything to reduce the probability of another tragedy, he said.
However, the responsibility to maintain a safe environment is also shared by the parent Greek organizations, local chapters and students, he said.
Shortly before leaving his position as Cache County attorney, George Daines wrote a letter to USU President Stan Albrecht and leaders of the national Greek organizations assuring them no charges would be filed against either the university or the national Sigma Nu or Chi Omega institutions.
"There is no evidence that would justify such considerations," the letter states.
However, it points out that the behavior of chapter members was in direct violation of both USU student code and the Greek organizations' policies.
Daines stated his office will continue to "vigorously" prosecute the individual students involved, as well as the two local chapters, in hopes of establishing long-term remedies.
University spokesman John DeVilbiss said the support of the county attorney was welcome.
Daines sent a memorandum to each USU student organization, alerting them that efforts to enforce alcohol and substance laws would include infiltration and surveillance of campus organizations and social clubs.
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