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Correction appended 10:16 a.m., Dec. 3, 2008.

Reported that Cal Poly freshman Carson Starkey died after being found unresponsive in a local home where he spent the night after attending a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity party. Carson was a pledge of the fraternity whose charter is now suspended.

© Copyright 2008 Mustang Daily

Reported that the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity had a series of problems ranging from alcohol- related property damage to the alleged drugging of a sorority member. Reports were covered of other incidents leading to the fraternity being placed on probation. The incidents involved GHB mixed with alcohol, and unsanctioned parties.

Reported that police are investigating the death of Carson Starkey as an alcohol-related hazing incident. Hazing is a violation of Penal Code 245.6, and it can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony if the hazing results in bodily injury or death. Hazing is a general term for any ritualized initiation, but it is specifically identified in the California Penal Code as involving initiation into any student organization.

Fraternity suspended after possible alcohol-related death of Cal Poly freshman
By Stephen Curran

Reported that Cal Poly suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity following Carson Starkey's alcohol-related death.

© 2008 San Luis Obispo Tribune

Reported that police determined that Carson Starkey died while he was being initiated into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and that autopsy results showed his blood-alcohol levels to be at least 0.39 percent.

Reported that Carson Starkey's alcohol levels ranged from 0.39 percent to 0.447 percent.

Students, faculty react to Cal Poly drinking death

By: Julianne Shapiro

Posted: 2/4/09 Top of page Article

Reported on the reaction to Carson Starkey's death by various members of the Cal Poly campus community.

California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, will hire two staff members to advise fraternity and sorority members on responsible social behavior in the wake of a student's fraternity-related death in December.

It's one of several steps the university is taking to try to prevent situations like the one involving 18-year-old Carson Starkey, who died after an alleged alcohol-related hazing as he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Four students were arrested Thursday in connection with the death, and a university official said Starkey's story will help instruct other students on what not to do in the future.

The university is conducting a national search for the new staff, who will be paid a combined $125,000 a year, including benefits, said Stephan Lamb, the university's associate director of student life and leadership.

"We hope to have them on board by Aug. 1," he said, noting that the university is using general fund resources to pay for them.

Students in Greek organizations also will have to sign agreements with the university to comply with a strict policy of no hazing and a risk-management plan for any alcohol-related event, Lamb said.

Groups that violate the agreement would face strict scrutiny from campus officials and risk suspensions from recruiting new members on campus as well as disaffiliation from the university. Individuals also would risk losing their affiliation with Cal Poly.

Lamb said it's difficult to know everything that happens off campus, and the university doesn't have authority to stop a party off campus, though officials can try to discourage one if they find out in advance.

But officials can work with members on being responsible and will revoke charters or implement other disciplinary action if necessary -- particularly if police reports describe reckless or illegal behavior.

Cal Poly revoked SAE's charter indefinitely and said this week that nine students have either permanently withdrawn from the university or have been suspended for at least one year as a result of the investigation into Starkey's death.

Greek organizations at Cal Poly now are prohibited from having alcohol-related activities during the pledging process.

But for off-campus events that don't involve pledges and where members who are older than 21 are drinking, the new Greek compliance agreement says the groups must have a plan to card underage students so they aren't served alcohol and must keep a certain percentage of partygoers sober to drive.

Students, faculty react to Cal Poly drinking death

By: Julianne Shapiro

Posted: 2/4/09 Top of page Article

Cal Poly plans crackdown on fraternities, sororities

Published online on Friday, May. 22, 2009