Penn State puts stop to fraternity parties serving alcohol

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Timothy Piazza, 19, allegedly fell down stairs while drunk at a fraternity party
His fraternity brothers did not call the police for 12 hours, prompting questions
Penn State announced that all alcohol-related social activities are stopped 'until further notice'
Beta Theta Pie, the fraternity Piazza recently joined, is suspended from activities

By Abigail Miller For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 14:59 EST, 9 February 2017 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 9 February 2017

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Pennsylvania State University has indefinitely halted fraternity and sorority parties where alcohol is available because of the recent death of Timothy Piazza, 19 (pictured)

Penn State has indefinitely halted fraternity and sorority events where alcohol is available after a 19-year-old engineering student plunged to his death.

Timothy Piazza was found dead at the bottom of the stairs to the basement at Beta Theta Pi on Friday morning.

University officials said the suspension was also a response to growing allegations of hazing, sexual assault and other misconduct.

Damon Sims, its vice president for student affairs, and the Penn State Interfraternity Council acted jointly to stop all alcohol-related social activities 'until further notice.'

The decision followed the death Saturday of Timothy Piazza, 19, of Lebanon, New Jersey.

Investigators said members of Beta Theta Pi fraternity told them Piazza, a sophomore, was intoxicated when Piazza fell down a stairwell during a party late Thursday night. According to his obituary, Piazza was studying engineering.

Police said members of the fraternity didn't call for help until about 12 hours later.

The fraternity was suspended immediately after the death.

Investigators said members of Beta Theta Pi fraternity (Penn State chapter pictured) told them Piazza, a sophomore, was intoxicated when Piazza fell down a stairwell during a party late Thursday night. Police said members of the fraternity didn't call for help until about 12 hours later. The fraternity has been suspended

Penn State said Sims told fraternity leaders the moratorium will remain until they agree to change their policies and practices.

The university announced Wednesday that Damon Sims (pictured), its vice president for student affairs, and the Penn State Interfraternity Council acted jointly to stop all alcohol-related social activities 'until further notice'

The alcohol moratorium at the privately owned chapter houses on the main campus in State College will be enforced by spot checks of public areas by university officials and the Interfraternity Council.

The school held a candle light vigil on Sunday night on the Old Main part of the university's campus.

The event's Facebook page says: 'His time here was brief but impactful. We wish to honor him as a beloved son, brother, friend, and Penn Stater.'

Questions still linger following Piazza's death.

The coroner ruled his death accidental after his body was found on Friday morning at the fraternity house, but investigators are now looking for video evidence from inside the house to substantiate fraternity brothers' claims, reported CBS News.

Piazza joined the fraternity recently, and members allege he was intoxicated and fell down the stairs at 11pm on Thursday night.

University administrators are looking into whether the group violated codes of conduct, according to CBS.

Piazza is pictured (right) with one of his fraternity brothers at Dance Marathon. The school said Sims told fraternity leaders the moratorium will remain until they agree to change their policies and practices