 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith")
University officials strive to create awareness of a law written in the memory of a Chico State student who died during a hazing ritual in hopes his death wasn't in vain.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1454, also known as Matt's Law, into legislation Friday.
Matt's Law was created in memory of Matthew Carrington. Carrington was a 21-year-old Chico State student pledging the unrecognized Chi Tau fraternity when he died of water intoxication in the fraternity's basement Feb. 2, 2005. He had been doing calisthenics and drinking water from a 5-gallon jug throughout the night, police said.
The law will take effect Jan. 1 and increase hazing's classification from a misdemeanor to a felony in certain cases. The law also makes it possible for nonstudents to be prosecuted.
Matt's Law doesn't end with it becoming a law. The next step is making people aware the law exists, said Carrington's mother, Debbie Smith.
"It's just step one, but it's a big one, and we have to make it count," Smith said.
Chico State will start educating students about the law this year, said retired vice president of student affairs Jim Moon, who has supported the bill as it made its way through government committees this year.
Moon hopes people stop hazing because they have learned better ways to incorporate people into their organizations, not because the consequences of hazing are harsher, he said.
Rick Rees, associate director of student activities, said the law helps drive home the message that hazing is dangerous and illegal.
"Ideally, the law is never used," Rees said. "The law is a deterrent."
The university will work with fraternities, sororities, sports teams and all other organizations that need to know about the hazing law, Rees said.
"It's not something you just do once," Rees said. "You have to fold it in over and over again over time and continually send these messages."
Although Matt's Law is a good thing, Rees wishes it didn't have to be the result of a student's death, he said.
"It's bittersweet for all of us," Rees said. "I want to jump for joy, and then I think about why we're here and that there's nothing to be joyous about."
University President Paul Zingg said in an e-mail that he is pleased the governor signed Matt's Law.
"It will help ensure that someone else will not be lost to the insane and brutal treatment that took Matt's life," Zingg said.
Matt's Law will strengthen the university's already-firm stance against hazing, he said.
"We will now emphasize that hazing not only violates our code of student conduct, but it is also a felony," Zingg said.
Greek adviser Connie Huyck announced at Monday's Panhellenic meeting that the governor had signed Matt's Law. The women brainstormed how they will spread awareness, she said.
Joe Wills, director of public affairs, said the law is important to Chico State.
"It makes you feel hopeful that his death will have some meaning and save other lives and save people from the humiliation and pain that comes with hazing," Wills said.
Ashley Gebb can be reached at
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