Student Organization Eligibility for Recognition Withdrawn for Five Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2001
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Student Organization Eligibility for Recognition Withdrawn for Five Years
California State University, Chico will not recognize a campus organization for five years based on an investigation into a student’s alcohol-related death at an off-campus party last April.
The Construction Management Association (CMA) will not be able to apply for recognition as a student organization until October 2006. The university informed Ken Derucher, dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, of the action yesterday.
CSU, Chico freshman John Barbaro, 19, was struck and killed by a train as he lay on Union Pacific tracks near Lake Shasta in the early morning of April 29. He had accompanied approximately 25 fellow students on a weekend water-skiing trip organized by members of the CMA.
An investigation by the university into the student’s death found that the organization violated state laws regarding furnishing alcohol to minors and engaged in high-risk activities that threatened students’ safety and were likely to cause physical harm to students.
The action means the CMA cannot use university facilities, participate in campus events or use the university name related to any activities.
After five years have passed, the CMA can apply for recognition with the university Student Activities office. The organization must demonstrate that it has programs and plans in place to ensure the safety of students at organization events, such as policies for the enforcement of state and local alcohol laws. CMA members must also attend training meetings conducted by Student Activities and the Student Judicial Affairs office.
Dean Kenneth Derucher and Rovane Younger, chair of the construction management department, are contacting students to inform them of the decision.
The university’s investigation was conducted by the Judicial Affairs and Student Activities offices following a Union Pacific investigation into Barbaro’s death. Union Pacific Railroad Police Special Agent Randy Anderson found that alcohol was used during the weekend trip and was available to Barbaro, who had an alcohol level of .25 at the time of his death.
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