While Iowa State continues to review its alcohol policies, a moratorium on alcohol was imposed Wednesday at University of Iowa fraternities after a student died from a night of binge drinking.

The moratorium, agreed to by university administrators and the InterFraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, is effective immediately in all 20 fraternity houses while officials evaluate alcohol policies in the wake of the death of Matthew Patrick Garofalo, 19, of Elgin, Ill.

Iowa State’s Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Thielen said Wednesday night that the ban is a serious measure.

“Evidently [Iowa officials] felt because of the death there, they needed to take a drastic step,” Thielen said.

“We’re still monitoring our policies here,” he said. “But there probably will be some pressure to do that [impose a ban].”

Garofalo’s blood alcohol level was estimated at .25 to .30, or at least 2 1/2 times the legal limit of .10 when he passed out at a party at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 7. Officials estimate that Garofalo had consumed about 12 ounces of alcohol.

He died of pulmonary edema, which is fluid in the lungs.

”The purpose of this moratorium is not to be punitive but to be reflective about the positive educational values of the greek experience in undergraduate education,” a two-page statement said.

”We must emphasize the importance of learning to change not only the university community, but the broader community culture and values about the use of alcohol in our daily lives.”

Sororities are not included in the moratorium because they do not allow alcohol in their houses, said Philip Jones, vice president of academic affairs.

The agreement by administration officials and fraternity representatives stipulates that chapters in good standing can continue to organize activities as long as no alcohol is served or consumed. If alcohol is discovered at a chapter house, its activities will be temporarily suspended and the chapter will be subject to de-recognition proceedings by the university.

Thielen said the situation at Iowa is not unheard of.

“It has happened at other universities,” he said. “I saw a news story where the University of Colorado did something similar, and they are viewed as quite a party system.”

Commenting on whether ISU’s greek system is a “party system” Thielen said, “We certainly have enough activity throughout the year.”

Jamie Smith, the president of ISU’s InterFraternity Council, said last week that Garofalo’s death has brought alcohol abuse to the forefront for ISU greek members.

—The Associated Press contributed to this report