Fraternity social activities suspended at Indiana University until the spring
— -- Indiana University's student-led Interfraternity Council (IFC) is suspending fraternity social events at which alcohol is served, as well as barring unsupervised new member activities until the spring, according to the university and the IFC.
University officials commended the decision, calling it a "proactive" move to help make the Greek community safer at the Bloomington campus.
Fraternity chapter presidents voted unanimously Monday evening for the suspension, which will last until Feb. 28, 2018, according to a statement from Interfraternity Council President Andrew Cowie.
The IFC's decision wasn't a reaction to a specific incident, but rather a “response to some of the tragedies happening on other campuses around the country and challenges happening within the I.U. community," university spokesman Chuck Carney told ABC News today.
"It’s a proactive decision to begin an assessment of what’s happening here and how the IFC can help make the environment as safe as possible for fraternity members.”
Lori Reesor, vice provost for student affairs, commended the fraternity leaders' decision, which she said "allows us to take the time to work with student leaders in our Greek community and assess our policies and practices to develop a plan moving forward."
"Next week, I will meet with all IFC fraternity chapter presidents and IFC leaders to listen to their ideas about how we can strengthen our chapters," Reesor said.
Several Indiana University fraternities have been suspended the past few years, most recently the Sigma Nu fraternity for allegedly violating school alcohol and hazing policies, according to ABC Indianapolis affiliate WRTV-TV.
Indiana University's self-suspension comes after fraternities and Greek life across the country have faced closures or suspensions, some resulting from deadly incidents involving alcohol or hazing. At Penn State, a 19-year-old fraternity pledge died in February after he fall down the stairs during a night of drinking at the fraternity house. Multiple former fraternity brothers are facing charges, including involuntary manslaughter and hazing.
The fraternity involved in the pledge's death, Beta Theta Pi, has since been barred from Penn State. The university also announced a string of changes, including limiting alcohol to beer and wine while banning kegs; barring daylong events; limiting social events with alcohol to no more than 10 per semester; and sanctioning Greek organizations that don't prevent underage consumption and excessive drinking.
In Louisiana, an 18-year-old LSU fraternity pledge died in September after a night of drinking at the fraternity house, resulting in charges for multiple people.
Days after the pledge's death, officials closed the fraternity involved, Phi Delta Theta. The university has also made changes: on-campus Greek events are permitted, but without alcohol, a ruling that will last until at least January 2018.
