Sigma Nu and Chi Omega indefinitely suspended
The activities of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and Chi Omega Sorority have been indefinitely suspended as of Tuesday, Nov. 25, as investigations continue in the death of USU freshman Michael Starks, according to a statement released by the university.
Starks died of an alcohol overdose early in the morning of Friday, Nov. 21, with a blood alcohol content higher than .35, according to a Logan City Police press release, more than four times the legal limit of .08 to operate a vehicle. The actual consumption of alcohol took place off-campus, in a house located near 200 North and 200 West. The drinking was part of an initiation into the Sigma Nu Fraternity, which could constitute as hazing, said John DeVilbiss, executive director of USU Public Relations and Marketing.
“If (the fraternity and sorority) were found in violation of alcohol codes or hazing, action would be taken,” he said.
No action besides the suspension has been taken pending completion of the investigation by the Logan Police Department, he said. Right now, the task is to investigate which codes the groups violated, DeVilbiss said. University action would also be taken against persons or the organization in regards to underage drinking, he said, as Starks was only 18.
USU is a dry campus, meaning that possession, distribution or consumption of drugs or alcohol is prohibited by the Student Code. However, even in the case of off-campus activity, students are required to follow federal, state and local law, according to the Student Code.
DeVilbiss said although the university doesn’t know the exact roles either the fraternity or the sorority played in the incident and he was not at liberty to say what information had been gathered, the suspension of the organizations was done with reasonable cause.
“We had just enough information to reach the conclusion to take the action (of suspension),” he said.
–lisa.m.christensen@aggiemail.usu.edu