Namely, the bus company and its driver need to contribute what they know.

What is the bus company’s position on pasengers (coaches or athletes) walking about (let alone conducting a reign of terror of sorts) the bus when it is in motion?

Who was the driver of the Carmel HS basketball bus on the day of the alleged attacks? What does he/she say he/she saw in his mirror while driving on the day these alleged attacks occurred?

Did he file any reports documenting suspicious or potentially illegal conduct on the Carmel HS basketball bus?

Does the bus company have any other disturbance reports for Carmel HS involving athletic teams?

Have there been any fights aboard Carmel buses in general?

Finally…Are schoolbus companies–owned by a school district or chartered– required in any way to report fights, potential crimes, assaults on buses to any other authority? If so, there may be a paper trail on the Carmel basketball incident.

If NOT, should they be so required?

Respectfully submitted, Hank Nuwer

Link to two videos.

Here is the link

The Greek community at Chico State has taken steps to correct its hazing reputation since the death of Matthew Carrington.

Greek life has evolved over the past four years, said Greek Adviser Larry Bassow.

A mandatory hazing education program has been put in place for all Greek organizations, advisers are more available to Greek students and the university has been holding Greek organizations more accountable.

“There’s been a litany of sanctions,” Bassow said. “It’s not that it’s good, it shows that we mean business. There is a higher expectation for students to show what they signed up to do.”

The Greek community has been starting to branch out more than ever, said senior Brian Burke, president of the Interfraternity Council.

One goal the Greeks have in place is for the three councils to put more effort into community events.

While people might have a bad outlook on the Greek community, the best way to understand Greek life is to join a fraternity or sorority, he said.

“It’s something you have to figure out for yourself,” Burke said. “There’s a lot of leadership training and philanthropic events.”

Chico State President Paul Zingg hopes students are joining Greek organizations for the right reasons and not just to join a “drinking club,” he said.

“This particular social organization has admirable values, not the least of which is to enjoy each other’s company,” he said. “There are fun opportunities, but it’s a question of balance.”

Though some people might expect the Greek community to do poorly, the Greeks have to work together with the university so the good stories are told more often and outweigh the bad ones, Zingg said.

“They need to be savvy in promoting what they do and the university needs to acknowledge them when they do something good,” he said. “They need to understand that one bad event can outweigh 1,000 good events.”

Excerpt

The second story was reported in Saturday’s Daily Herald. Five Prairie Ridge High School wrestlers were arrested on misdemeanor battery charges in what authorities say was hazing of teammates on multiple occasions.

Police said an investigation revealed allegations that several wrestlers restrained teammates while they were slapped and groped through their clothing.

If the charges turn out to be true, we are pleased to see Crystal Lake police taking this kind of thing seriously. We expect the high school to take it seriously as well. A “boys will be boys attitude” should not be tolerated. District policy bans hazing and says students found guilty of it face punishments that include suspension or expulsion.

An attorney for one of the boys says the allegations are nothing but “innocent adolescent horseplay.” No matter how the case turns out, it’s important to note, again, that hazing is not acceptable behavior in any form and parents and coaches need to make sure it doesn’t happen.

Two cases in the suburbs, but they unfortunately are not isolated. Parents, students, please wake up. There are serious ramifications. Is it really worth the trouble?

Salt Lake Tribune: a very important, rarely precedented

development.

Logan » Utah State University is not immune from civil liability in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Michael Starks, 1st District Judge Clint S. Judkins ruled Thursday.

An 18-year-old freshman from Salt Lake City, Starks died of alcohol poisoning after a Rush Week activity Nov. 20, 2008. More than a dozen Sigma Nu fraternity and Chi Omega sorority members were prosecuted for related misdemeanors.

Michael’s parents, George and Jane Starks, have settled civil claims against the Greek chapters’ national organizations, but they filed a lawsuit against the university alleging officials should have exercised better control over Greek life, ignored years of bad behavior among Sigma Nu members and owed a duty to students to warn them of the dangers of Greek life.

“Information is power,” George Starks said. “There is a world full of parents who need to know what is happening. We want to bring it into the light and illuminate it.”

Reed Stringham of the Utah Attorney General’s Office asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Utah law shields the university from civil damages because the Starkses are alleging their son died as a result of “a negligent misrepresentation.” This is a circumstance where case law specifically allows governmental immunity, he wrote in court filings.

The Starkses’ lawyer, Charles Thronson of Salt Lake City, said USU officials have denied any responsibilityfor Michael Starks’ fate. Yet, the Sigma Nu chapter at USU had a long history of activities that required law enforcement intervention, he alleged. Police records indicate the presence of alcohol, drugs and explosives, as well as episodes of arson, assault, alcohol-induced suicide, disorderly conduct and more.

“The university knew of these activities — or should have known — and remained silent,” he said. “There was nothing but absolute silence.”

After hearing arguments, Judkins rejected the state’s immunity claim, allowing the lawsuit to move forward. USU general counsel Craig Simper declined to comment.