Penn State Cancels Fall Rush Amid Crackdown On Fraternities, Sororities

Just a little more than a month after a Penn State University student died in a fall at a campus fraternity, the university has cancelled their Fall 2017 Greek recruitment, the school announced Thursday.

The school has also imposed additional restrictions on Greek social groups, including permanently banning Beta Theta Pi, where Timothy Piazza died on Feb. 4.

"Disturbing facts have emerged, including a persistent pattern of serious alcohol abuse, hazing, and the use and sale of illicit drugs," the school said in a statement.

Piazza, 19, of Lebanon, New Jersey, died after allegedly falling down the basement stairs at Beta Theta Pi’s fraternity house on Penn State’s campus, according to police. Authorities say alcohol and hazing may have contributed to the young man's death, according to multiple reports.

“The University’s investigation has produced deeply disturbing evidence showing that Beta Theta Pi fell far short of its professed policies and values,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, in the statement. “The serious violations we have found include forced drinking, mandatory hazing and other illegal activity, which combine with a student’s tragic death to lead us to conclude that Beta Theta Pi, despite its notable history at Penn State, merits no continuing place in our community.”

Penn State said that their investigation into Greek social life revealed other alarming statistics: sorority students are 50 percent more likely to be sexually assaulted, while fraternity men are 62 percent more likely to commit sexual assault.

Recruitment will be deferred until the spring of 2018, and students who wish to participate in recruitment must complete at least 12 credits while enrolled full time, the university said.

In addition, the school tightened restrictions on enforcing underage drinking and attendance at social events. They also threatened that if organizations fail to comply with new restrictions, the system could be made "completely dry."

This is a breaking story, check back for updates.

Patch file photo