Utah State death blamed on hazing

LOGAN, Utah, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The death of an 18-year-old Utah State University student has resulted in a campus sorority and fraternity facing hazing charges, authorities say.

Authorities have charged the Sigma Nu fraternity and Chi Omega sorority, along with 12 of their members, in the death of freshman Michael Starks, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday.

Starks died of alcohol poisoning Nov. 23, 2008, after allegedly taking part in an initiation ritual at the fraternity.

While the Greek-letter societies and their members have not been accused of forcing Starks to drink until he reached a .373 blood-alcohol level, they have been charged under a Utah hazing statute.

The state statute makes convictions a possibility in a case when the individual consented to abuse but was under the age of 21 at the time. The statute also criminalizes placing someone's mental or physical health in danger in relation to membership in an organization.

Starks died during a so-called kidnap scenario enacted by the fraternity and sorority aimed at initiating him into their ranks, the Tribune said. The individuals charged face up to a year in jail if convicted.