Chi Tau (ΧΤ) was a local fraternity at California State University, Chico that landed in the media spotlight following the 2005 hazing death of Matthew Carrington.

The chapter decided to continue to operate as a rogue (unsanctioned, unrecognized) fraternity, reverting to its original (local) name of Chi Tau.

The local fraternity was known for parties, alcohol, and violence because, since its expulsion as a recognized organization, it was not held to the policies or standards of other nationally-affiliated groups.

He was studying management information systems, and was asked to pledge Chi Tau by his friend Mike Quintana.

On that same day, a sewer line in the house had burst, flooding the basement with several inches of sewage contaminated water.

Pledges were forced to do push-ups and sit-ups in the sewage and sleep in small cubby holes that had been cut into the basement wall.

Carrington and Quintana were instructed to stand on one foot on a wooden bench, wearing only T-shirts, jeans, and socks, while Chi Tau members quizzed them on fraternity history.

Near 2AM, active Chi Tau members, Gabriel Maestretti, John Paul Fickes and James DeVilla Abrille, arrived at the house after a night of heavy drinking.

Chi Tau members changed Carrington out of his wet clothing and laid him on the couch after wrapping him in a sleeping bag.

Due to the passage of Matt's Law, the death of Carrington resulted in the first felony charges brought for hazing in the United States.

My actions killed a good person, and I will be a felon for the rest of my life, and I'll have to live with that disability, but I'm alive and Matt's not.

"Horrifying details in hazing death Police arrest 5 – Chico State may abolish fraternities."