Penn State Bans Alcohol From Frat Parties

Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity house via Google Maps

Pennsylvania State University has temporarily banned alcohol at fraternity parties after a student died during an on-campus social gathering last week.

Police said that 19-year-old Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey died after falling down basement stairs late at night on January 2nd at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, which is located on the university’s campus. Piazza was unconscious for at least 12 hours before help was called the next morning, police said. He died in Hershey Medical Center on January 4th.

Members of Beta Theta Pi told officials that Piazza was intoxicated when the incident occurred. State College police and the Centre County District Attorney are investigating the incident.

Penn State officials and the university’s Interfraternity Council have suspended all fraternity-related social functions at the university. A statement released Wednesday regarding the decision also references a “growing allegations of misconduct in these organizations, including hazing and sexual assault,” as additional reasoning for the suspension.

“This suspension will continue while the University, the IFC and its chapters, relevant alumni and national fraternity organizations, the Panhellenic Council and the Borough of State College determine significant changes in social policies and practices for these groups,” the statement reads. “An aggressive timeline is being established to finalize plans and adopt recommendations for change.”

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