Penn State Announces 'Unprecedented' Changes Restricting Greek Life

STATE COLLEGE, PA — In the wake of the tragic death of a student, Penn State has announced an "unprecedented" crackdown on greek life at the school. The university's Board of Trustees met on Friday afternoon to discuss additional restrictions exactly four months after the death of student Timothy Piazza at a pledge event at the Beta Theta Pi house.

The board unanimously agreed to take full control over greek life on campus. Chief among the new regulations put into place at the meeting was a handover of control of misconduct and adjudication within greek organizations to the university. Violations and punishments were previously handled by the school's Interfraternity Council, which is made up of fraternity members.

In addition, any hazing that involves alcohol abuse or that places a student in danger in any way will lead to that fraternity or sorority being permanently banned from campus, the university said.

"I am resolved to turn the pain and anguish radiating through our entire community into decisive action and reform, concentrating on the safety and well-being of students at Penn State," Penn State President Eric Barron said in a statement just after the meeting concluded. “These new safety and reform initiatives represent a significant departure from the Greek system’s broken self-governance model and indicate steps necessary to address the complex problems.”

Eighteen students have been charged in connection with the death of Piazza, 19, a student from New Jersey. Eight fraternity brothers are facing manslaughter charges; 10 others face related charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and providing alcohol to minors, among others.

RELATED: Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Coverup In Grand Jury Timeline

Other changes: The university said it will now closely monitor all greek social events on campus, improve parent education on greek life, institute fees to greek organizations to support spot-checkers and monitors, and limit the number of students allowed to enter each organization. Only a limited number of events involving alcohol will be permitted each year, and no hard liquor will be permitted at these events, the university said.

A task force, called the "Greek Response Team," will include representatives from community relations, legal officials, student affairs and other departments. The team will be charged with implementing the new regulations and coordinating with campus police, local law enforcement and neighborhood watch groups.

>>2 Months After Student's Frat House Death, Penn State President Pens Open Letter To Greek Community

Barron had warned that drastic changes like this could be coming. After a series of new rules were implemented back in March, several greek organizations openly flouted the rules during a parents' weekend. At the time, Barron said that could mark "the beginning of the end of Greek life at Penn State."

The family of Piazza had urged university officials earlier on Friday to make needed changes.

"Our mission is to make it safer, to the extent Greek Life continues, so families no longer have to worry about their child coming home, being hurt or being sexually assaulted. Greek Life at Penn State is broken and must be fixed," the family wrote, according to NBC.

The school said it would be advocating for legislation which fights hazing, including expanding the Clery Act, a campus crime transparency law, to include hazing.

Image via Penn State