Our lives were re-defined on November 21, 2008, when we lost Michael, our son and brother. Since then our family has committed itself to pushing for effective hazing legislation that will help prevent further deaths in similar tragic circumstances.

We thank Utah legislators for their willingness to support strong anti-hazing laws in fostering the well-being of our most important and beloved asset – our children.

We encourage prosecutors at all levels of government and members of the judiciary to faithfully and willfully execute their assigned responsibilities without the defeating nuances of media frenzy, politics as usual, and personal biases and animosities. Above all, learn to recognize the signs of hazing and commit yourself to investigate, charge, and prosecute to the full extent of the law.

The Starks Family begs university and college administrators to be mindful of their moral and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for their students and our children. While the legal obligations of school officials are difficult to measure, common decency dictates the need for a stronger and more evident humanitarian requirement to safeguard the lives of all incoming freshmen students, including fraternity and sorority ‘pledges’.

Judge rejects USU's immunity claim in hazing death
March 4, 2010 - 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. Read more...

Hazing is often assault
February 27, 2010 - Too bad it takes a tragedy to wake people up. That lament has been heard more than once. The truth is, change can be so uncomfortable that people often need a little push to get them going. And such seems to be the case with HB138, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, that would make alcohol- and drug-related hazing a "class A" misdemeanor.  Read more...

Intoxicated minors need not fear to call for help, says Senate panel
February 22, 2010 - A Senate committee gave a unanimous thumbs-up to a bill that would give consideration for good behavior to an intoxicated minor who calls for emergency medical care for another underage drinker.  Read more...

House OKs bill targeting hazing-related deaths
February 22, 2010 - The Utah House has passed a bill intended to make fraternities and sororities think twice about hazing practices.  Read more...

Utah House Committee passes Hazing bill
February 18, 2010 - Monday was a big win for the family of a USU student that died from a hazing incident last  year.  Read more...

Utah House panel OKs bill to stiffen penalties for alcohol-fueled hazing: Legislature falls short of family's goals
February 18, 2010 - A pair of bills filed in response to the binge-drinking death of a Utah State University freshman moved forward Wednesday in the Utah House.  Read more...

Hazing bill softened
February 18, 2010 - Lawmakers have watered down a bill that would increase the legal consequences of hazing.  Read more...

Lawmaker Hopes Bill Encourages Underage Drinkers to Report Alcohol Poisoning
February 8, 2010 - A state lawmaker is hoping to encourage teens involved in underage drinking to seek help when someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning.  Read more...

Legislative Education Committee seeks feedback on effectiveness of Utah laws prohibiting student hazing
Senator Howard Stephenson and Representative Greg Hughes, the committee chairs of the legislative Interim Education Committee announced today that the committee will be investigating the problem of hazing within the State of Utah and would like to hear from the public.  Read more...

A call for help with no fear of arrest
November 5, 2009 - The Starks family has an important message for Utah college students: hazing can kill.  The family knows firsthand.  Michael Starks, 18, died of alcohol poisoning in a hazing incident one year ago this month.  Read more...