The Family of Michael Starks reaches settlement with Utah State University

A non-monetary settlement was reached between Utah State University and George and Jane Starks, parents of deceased USU student Michael Starks.

USU agreed to implement five recommendations made to the University by a University Task Force following the alcohol-poisoning death of Michael Starks. He died in November 2008 while pledging off-campus for a fraternity. In exchange, the Starks family agreed to dismiss all claims against Utah State University and the State of Utah.

“We welcome this resolution,” said James Morales, USU Vice President of Student Services. “We are eager to implement any action that we can to help insure our students are fully aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the important role that student peers play in each other’s safety.”

George Starks, Michael’s father, said the settlement of this case achieved the goals the family was seeking.

“Hazing and binge drinking kills or injures far too many college students, and we look forward to the positive steps Utah State University has agreed to take to address this tragic problem,” he said.

Implementation of the recommendations includes:

• Review existing alcohol and hazing training and invite student representatives to participate in the design of any new alcohol training approaches or modifications of existing ones.
• Invite local and university police to participate in training that encourages presenters to more actively involve student participation during the training.
• Include in training an impetus for students to feel responsible for each other’s safety. Provide information regarding local hospital policies about police notification and underage drinkers transporting friends to the hospital for overdose treatment. Encourage police to provide during their training that students should not be reluctant to call 911.
• Encourage faculty to support surveys of alcohol and drug use among students.
• Consider making annual alcohol and hazing update training programs mandatory for all club sports and Greek organizations and invite the Athletic Department to participate in this training as it deems necessary.

The implementation of these recommendations is at the sole discretion of USU, according to the settlement document.

Michael Starks, 18, was a freshman at USU majoring in general studies. In response to his death, both Sigma Nu Fraternity and Chi Omega Sorority national offices closed their local chapters at USU.

The University Task Force was formed by USU President Stan L. Albrecht in January 2009, after the death of Michael Starks, to review university policies and procedures related to student groups and clubs. It also assessed the university’s prevention programs related to drug and alcohol abuse.

January 15, 2011