All fraternities and sororities were issued a ban against all “social activities” last Wednesday Sept. 26 by the Division of Student Life due to an unusual increase in the number of students sent to detox throughout last week.

The ban is expected to be lifted October 10.

“We have seen a large number of undergraduate students who have been transported to detox, beginning on Saturday September 22, 2012 and increasing in number each subsequent day” the email, sent by Director of Student Activities Megan Pendley-Pickettt, stated.

Both Pendley-Pickettt and Campus Safety Public Information Officer Steven Banet were unable to comment on the exact number of students sent to detox last week.

“We made the decision for a combination of reasons: The unusually high amount of incidents and the fact it is happening early on,” said Pendley-Pickettt.

According to Pendley-Pickettt, this is the first campus-wide cease and desist placed on Greek Life activity issued in the last five years.

Under the order, fraternities and sororities will still be allowed to conduct chapter-only events as part of the process of introducing the new member class, which was accepted last week.

However, the order prohibits any activities which may be regarded as “social events”, including any events with involvement from more than one chapter of Greek life.

“For putting a blanket hold on, I couldn’t have asked for a better response from Greek life,” said Sam Vinson, president of the Inter-Fraternal Council.

According to Vinson, Greek life presidents called a roundtable immediately after the implementation of the probation order and discussed what steps needed to be taken as a whole.

Overall, Vinson said, the presidents of Greek life were “appreciative” of the decision.

“I wouldn’t say that it needed to happen, but the fact that everyone used it as a positive opportunity was good,’ said Vinson.

According to Vinson, Greek life will host a series of events in response to the ban in order to educate new members on alcohol awareness, crisis management and what it means to be Greek.

Vinson said each chapter will pair with another chapter to host a seminar or educational event in coming weeks to respond to the ban.

Follow up to the Cease and Desist order will not involve additional security or monitoring of Greek activity, according to Pendley-Pickettt.

“We will continue to work closely with the Department of Campus Safety, as well as our chapter and council leadership to maintain a high level of safety for our Greek community,” she said.