story link
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/07/15/1217236/starkeys-approved-of-cal-poly.htmlExcerpt:
Julia Starkey was in a sorority and Scott Starkey was in a fraternity at the University of Texas.
Julia jokes “it was a long time ago†but noted they had positive, safe experiences.
Scott and Julia said they talked openly with their son about the risks of sex, drugs and drinking before he left for college.
But alcohol poisoning wasn’t something they knew much about.
They hope other parents will inform themselves and their children about its dangers.
“I just don’t know how drinking has become almost competitive for some young people,†Scott Starkey said. “Now there are drinking games and a culture of pressure that puts lives at risk. College students need to find other outlets to have fun.â€
Carson Starkey was given rum, beer, a Sparks alcohol beverage and Everclear, which contains 75 percent alcohol.
He consumed the drinks in a matter of minutes, following direction from fraternity leaders — some of whom encouraged pledges to vomit and keep drinking.
Tests after Carson’s death determined that he had a blood-alcohol level of between 0.39 and 0.44 — five times the legal limit for driving.
The so-called Brown Bag night that led to Carson’s death was a tradition at the Cal Poly SAE chapter, fraternity members said.
“He could have been saved if the fraternity brothers hadn’t been scared of the consequences of taking Carson to the hospital,†Julia Starkey said.
The call
The Starkeys learned of their son’s death after Julia received a midmorning call from the 805 area code on Dec. 2, 2008. She dialed the number back and reached the coroner’s office.
“I immediately went and got Scott and we spoke with (deputy coroner) Steve Crawford,†Julia Starkey said. “I don’t think there was any good way to receive the news.â€
The Starkeys have flown to San Luis Obispo nine times for matters relating to their son’s death. They say the community here has been sympathetic and supportive.
And they’ve met frequently with San Luis Obispo Police Department officials as well as prosecutor Craig Van Rooyen.
Four members of SAE were charged criminally; the last two of the cases wrapped up last week.
Zacary Ellis, Haithem Ibrahim, Adam Marszal and Russell Taylor each pleaded no contest to misdemeanor hazing resulting in death.
Ellis was sentenced to 120 days in County Jail and three years of informal probation.
Ibrahim was sentenced to 45 days in County Jail, three years’ informal probation and cooperation in Cal Poly’s anti-hazing education efforts.
Taylor and Marszal each received 30 days in County Jail, three years misdemeanor probation and 40 hours community service or two presentations on hazing and alcohol.
“The most recent plea results in all four defendants admitting their responsibility for the death of Carson Starkey,†Van Rooyen said. “Hazing is a serious problem and, unfortunately, has resulted in the untimely death of a promising young man.â€
The Starkeys have sued Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a move they hope will stop the kind of behavior that led to their son’s fatality.
Looking at all the hazing assaults that have occurred on school buses made me do a little research into whether or not bus drivers have a duty to step in should their “routine” mirror inspections uncover an attack. This article makes me think a driver could face charges one day in a hazing assault.
VALPARAISO — The driver of a Portage High School bus where three juveniles allegedly terrorized and sexually assaulted other students has been charged in the incident.
Terry Burch, 68, of Portage faces felony charges of neglect of dependent, and could serve up to three years in prison if convicted.
According to court records, the parents of one of the girls, who had her head forced to one boy’s exposed genitals, confronted the bus driver at the bus stop.
Burch allegedly said he allowed such behavior because it was taking place after school and he had no authority
http://www.post-trib.com/news/1453351,p … 27.article
Great piece on hazing for ACUÂ (college union Bulletin)
Authors Elizabeth Allan and Mary Madden
May 2010
Order now by calling 812.245.2284
Title:
by Elizabeth J. Allan & Mary Madden
Excerpt from story:
Hazing targeted
It might be possible to take the awareness of hazing and use it to create campus-wide positive action around the issue. In the study, majorities of students said they had experienced the following prevention and intervention strategies: group participation in community service, anti-hazing policies explained during new student orientation, explanation of how to report suspected hazing, advisor or coach communication of expectations that there would be no hazing. In most instances, students said they had limited exposure to prevention efforts beyond a “hazing is not tolerated†approach. Such practices would need to be assessed for their effectiveness in reducing hazing incidents as well as other types of initiatives introduced.
It might be possible to take the awareness of hazing and use it to create campus-wide positive action around the issue. In the study, majorities of students said they had experienced the following prevention and intervention strategies: group participation in community service, anti-hazing policies explained during new student orientation, explanation of how to report suspected hazing, advisor or coach communication of expectations that there would be no hazing. In most instances, students said they had limited exposure to prevention efforts beyond a “hazing is not tolerated†approach. Such practices would need to be assessed for their effectiveness in reducing hazing incidents as well as other types of initiatives introduced.
While there are no simple solutions or foolproof methods for eliminating hazing on a college campus, lessons learned in the field of public health indicate that a comprehensive approach is most effective for preventing harmful practices like binge-drinking and hazing. Campuses might begin that process by forming a broad-based coalition to enhance institutional capacity to address hazing on their particular campus. Members of the coalition should include:
- Administrators from student affairs and athletics
- Student activities staff
- Residence life staff
- Campus police
- Greek life coordinators and fraternity and sorority leaders
- Prevention specialist and health educator
- Recreational sports director (intramurals & club sport)
- Judicial affairs staff
- Student athlete leaders
- Alumni, parents, and community representatives
As campus community builders, student activities staff are well-positioned to lead this coalition.
Initially, the group might identify aspects of student life that seem to encourage hazing and aspects that seem to inhibit its likelihood. Once these factors have been determined, strategies can be defined and enacted at multiple levels, including: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, institutional, and community. The following are examples of strategies at each level that a coalition might pursue:
- Intrapersonal: Develop strategies that help students recognize hazing and the potential for harm even in activities they consider to be “low level.â€
- Interpersonal: Help student leaders develop skills needed to deal with resistance to change among group members.
- Group: Help groups generate strategies for building group unity and sense of accomplishment that do not involve hazing.
- Institutional: Develop mechanisms that encourage students to report hazing while protecting them from retribution by group members.
- Community: Educate parents about signs of potential hazing and encourage them to contact staff if they suspect their son/daughter is being hazed.
Of course, results from each of these efforts will need to be evaluated to determine their success. The National Study of Student Hazing provided the first baseline and can serve as a catalyst for broader, more in-depth investigations in the future. Recently, the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention (NCHRP) grew out of the study. The NCHRP will provide a centralized infrastructure to support campus and school efforts to identify and eliminate hazing. Among its top priorities, the NCHRP is committed to assessing hazing prevention efforts to determine what approaches are most effective to help campuses and schools promote safer and healthier campus climates for all students.
In the mean time, by leading campus-wide conversations about hazing and using the data available, college union and student activities professionals can demonstrate their commitment to reducing hazing incidents now and in the future.
A full report of the initial findings of the National Study of Student Hazing can be downloaded from the NCHRP website: http://www.hazingstudy.org.
I like this part where a school administrator makes no bones that out-of-school hazing will be dealt with. Good for him.
EXCERPT follows from an article worth clipping for coaches and administrators:
Perhaps the most unique approach belongs to Pittsburg USD 250. Pittsburg students must sign a bullying prevention contract as freshmen.
“As freshmen, they sign it and parents have to sign the back of it,†said Destry Brown, USD 250 superintendent. “New students that come into the district have to sign it, too. Each year, the principals meet with each of the classes and remind everybody about those things and the code of conduct we expect.â€
Brown said that he is only aware of one incident where the contracts have been necessary, in a case that “wasn’t a large deal, but it could have been if we hadn’t nipped it in the bud.†USD 250 also has a specific anti-bullying task force that is keeping a watchful eye on the district, making new recommendations and keeping track of trends in the district.
None of the other superintendents said they knew of any particular incidents related to hazing at their schools.
But some superintendents said preventing a hazing incident such as the one that is emerging involving Seneca is always on their minds.
“That is a nightmare for any school district,†said Glenn Fortmayer, Southeast USD 247 superintendent. “Our level of response is consistently that we do not have a zero tolerance policy exactly, but we will evaluate each incident independently. If the actions were equal, they get equal punishment. But sometimes the consequences are worthy of sending a message that we don’t tolerate it and we don’t make exceptions.â€
The Seneca incident occurred on an off-campus football camp. But that doesn’t mean the long arm of the student handbook does not extend across state or county lines.
“First of all, any type of trip that kids from USD 250 are involved with, we have the expectations of supervisors watching at all times,†Brown said. “If it did happen, it would be treated like it was on campus. It’s an extension of our school policies any time they are representing our school.â€
Excerpt from sportswriter Drew Peckham’s short piece on Raptors first-year player Ed Davis, former North Carolina player.
Davis said he plans to lean on the more experienced Raptors, but won’t back down from any rookie hazing that might be coming his way.
“I’ve got a lot of pranks under my belt,†Davis said with a smile. “I’m experienced in a couple things like that.â€