All Cal Poly greek life activity was formally suspended mid-December following the death of freshman Carson Starkey, a fraternity pledge who died the morning after attending a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) party.

Starkey, 18, was found unresponsive at a local residence at about 6 a.m. Dec. 2 and was later pronounced dead. A toxicology report and autopsy were performed but results have not been released. His death is suspected to be alcohol-related given the circumstances, and there are numerous investigations as to whether hazing was a factor. Police are also investigating whether the party was a pledge event.

SAE’s charter was suspended from all activity until further notice first by the university following the incident and later by the fraternity’s national organization.

Later in December, Cal Poly Panhellenic Adviser Harmony Quismundo-Newman sent out an e-mail announcing the suspension of all greek activities until a special summit meeting Jan. 9-11. The meeting will include all chapter presidents and executive councils.

SAE’s risk management contract includes sections on alcohol, drugs, sober rides and sexual assault. It states that “any and all pledge and/or new member activities will be dry” and “no member will force any other member to drink.” It also prohibits underage drinking, requires the fraternity to have “at least two sober brothers” at every event and every member will be a “true gentleman” around women at all times.

In addition to the death of Starkey, 18, SAE has had several incidences in which they had to attend meetings with Student Life and Leadership including alcohol violations, destruction of property and alleged drugging of a sorority member.