Florida State University has indefinitely suspended all activities at its fraternities and sororities after the death of a student and an unrelated arrest of a fraternity member on drug charges.

Andrew Coffey, a probationary member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, died on 3 November after he was found unresponsive the morning after he had attended a party.

In a separate case, Garrett John Marcy, a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, was arrested on 6 November, charged with the sale and trafficking of cocaine.

John Thrasher, president of Florida State University, said that the suspension would remain until there was ¡°a new normal for Greek life¡± at the institution.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

¡°There must be a new culture, and our students must be full participants in creating it,¡± he said.

Mr Thrasher also instituted a ban on alcohol at all recognised student organisation events.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

Florida State University is the latest US institution to rein in Greek life after the death of a student.

Pennsylvania State University temporarily halted fraternity and sorority parties with alcohol earlier this year after the death of a student in February, while Louisiana State University stopped all Greek life activities for a week in September after the death of a fraternity probationary member.

In July, a Harvard University faculty committee recommended?that fraternities, sororities and other exclusive clubs be shut down.

ellie.bothwell@timeshighereducation.com