Rutgers University Bans All Greek Life Parties Following Several 'Alcohol-Related Incidents'

Rutgers University has instituted a ban on all house parties within its 86 fraternities and sororities through the end of the spring semester, in a form of "social probation" instituted after the campus endured a number of drinking scandals, reports NJ.com.

In September, a 19-year-old Rutgers student died of alcohol poisoning after attending a Delta Kappa Epsilon party. Six weeks later, another student was hospitalized after getting severely intoxicated at a Sigma Phi Epsilon event. The latter Rutgers chapter was subsequently suspended indefinitely by Sigma Phi's national headquarters.

"Rutgers takes seriously its commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe campus environment," a campus spokesman said in a statement. "In light of a number of alcohol-related incidents this year involving Greek organizations, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has placed a moratorium through the end of the semester on parties in fraternity and sorority houses."

The ban does not apply to each house's end-of-year formals, or to off-campus events where alcohol might be provided by third-party vendors. Events on campus, however, must be cancelled for the remainder of the semester, or the organization will face disciplinary action from the Rutgers Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.