USU student's family drops wrongful death lawsuit

LOGAN, Utah — The family of a Utah State University freshman who died of alcohol poisoning has reached a lawsuit settlement with the school, calling for USU to implement educational programs about the dangers of drinking and hazing.

Attorneys for the family of 18-year-old Michael Starks announced the non-monetary settlement Tuesday in the wrongful death lawsuit against the school. Starks died Nov. 21, 2008, from alcohol poisoning. He was pledging to join the Sigma Nu fraternity.

The Starks family said the agreement achieves their goal in filing the lawsuit.

"Hazing and binge drinking kills or injures far too many college students," George Starks, Michael's father, said in a statement. "And we look forward to the positive steps Utah State University has agreed to take to address this tragic problem."

The Logan Herald Journal reports the educational initiatives described in the settlement include implementing an annual training program for fraternity houses, clubs, and sports teams to address hazing and alcohol abuse. Those initiatives were among the recommendations issued by a task force created to study the issue in 2009. The task force also recommended that student representatives be invited to modify and review the school's alcohol and hazing policies.

In their lawsuit, the Starks said it was the university's "benign neglect" that contributed to their son's death.

USU officials had tried to get a judge to dismiss the case, arguing that the school was immune to a civil lawsuit. The school had also argued that it already had hazing and alcohol education programs and that student safety was a top priority.

James Morales, USU vice president of student services, said the school welcomes the resolution.

"We are eager to implement any action that we can to help ensure our students are fully aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the important role that student peers play in each other's safety," he said in a statement.

After Starks' death, the Sigma Nu fraternity closed its university chapter. Thirteen students were charged.

Information from: The Herald Journal, http://www.hjnews.com