Chico State still plagued by reputation as drinking school

Sacramento Bee

It is the Friday night before final exams week at California State University, Chico, and Riley's Bar & Grill is packed with partying students hoisting individual quart-size pitchers of mixed drinks or beer. At this same bar five weeks earlier, a fraternity pledge celebrating his 21st birthday at the second of two stops at campus-area pubs downed 10 shots of liquor in 75 minutes and threw up into a trash can. Mason Sumnicht was in good academic standing at Chico State, a member of the Ski and Snowboard Club and on pace to graduate. Before his birthday fest, friends say, he wasn't considered much of a drinker. But on Nov. 15, 12 days after frat buddies took him to an apartment to recover, and eventually called 911, Sumnicht died at the hospital from alcohol poisoning.

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