MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State University staff and presidents of the 13 fraternities included in Ball State’s Interfraternity Council have agreed there will be no more social gatherings at fraternity houses or co-hosted events by fraternities that include alcohol, or otherwise, until after Jan. 31, 2018.

The agreement was made in an effort to reshape culture among fraternities at BSU.

“It’s not one single incident that has caused this,” said Kathy Wolf, Ball State's vice president for marketing and communications. “It’s a trend or a pattern of behavior that is not acceptable or consistent with our Beneficence Pledge. As a result, what we’re doing is pausing, if you will, and saying, ‘Hey, together let’s work on this.’”

After the decision for all 13 fraternities in BSU's IFC to sign a joint letter with the university was made Monday evening, social media exploded with reaction from around the student community.

Some posts suggested the decision was being made because of a rise in alleged sexual assault cases in recent weeks.

Wolf acknowledged there are active sexual assault cases on campus, but said the decision for the 13 fraternities to go dry and end social events until February wasn’t exclusively connected to that.

“This is not the result of just sexual assaults that are happening in fraternities," Wolf said. "This is a pattern with different types of behaviors that are not consistent to Ball State standards.”

While the fraternities go dry, they will remain active. Some events will be permitted – those revolving around alumni relations, philanthropic events, brotherhood events and Mom and Dad Days. But social events — such as Halloween parties, even without alcohol — won’t be permitted.

As news of the agreement made its way around campus and onto social media Tuesday, there were fraternity members who contested the notion this was an agreement between two parties and suggested, rather, it was the university who mandated the agreement.

Trevor Holland, the president of the Interfraternity Council at Ball State, issued the following statement to The Star Press Tuesday morning: "Our IFC community had to make (a) decision for the safety of our members and the well being (of) our community. It was not an easy decision, but it's what is best for our community at this time."

When pressed for clarification on whether the university gave IFC members any sort of ultimatum, Holland added: "It was a joint decision between chapter presidents and the university."

Wolf acknowledged it was “not an easy conversation, but that it was an agreed upon approach” and said some members likely need further clarification.

“This meeting just happened (Monday) night,” Wolf said. “The proper communication to the members of the fraternities has not happened. I am pretty confident that some of the reaction is a lack of understanding right now and a lack of clarity. As the days unfold ahead, there will be an opportunity for further clarification and communication. That will help clear some of this up.”

As much as going dry, educating fraternity members will be part of the culture change.

Wolf said the agreement states all active fraternity members will participate in educational sessions before the end of January Sessions will focus on alcohol use, hazing, bystander intervention and sexual assault.

“It’s not about no frat parties, it’s bigger than that,” Wolf said. “It’s about having the right culture and that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.

“We are very proud of the fraternity leaders,” Wolf said. “This is very courageous on their part. One of the things that is unique about Ball State is that our students are empowered. This is an example of a group of young adults who are leaders of fraternity organizations who have been empowered to make good choices and protect their peers.”

The agreement – Wolf said it is not a suspension or a probation, but a “pause” – will take effect immediately once all presidents have signed the letter. Wolf expected that to happen by the end of the day on Tuesday. The Star Press has requested a copy of the letter once it’s signed.

The 13 fraternities included are Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Sigma Kappa, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi.

The Star Press left messages seeking additional information with Ball State Director of Greek Life Kari Murphy and Director of Public Safety Jim Duckham, who oversees the University Police Department.

Regarding the notion there had been a rise in sexual assaults, officials with the Muncie Police Department and the Delaware County prosecutor's office told The Star Press they were unaware of a series of recent sexual assaults on or near the BSU campus.

Reporter Douglas Walker contributed to this article.