WASHINGTON -- The seven Big East schools that don't play major college football have decided to leave the conference and pursue a new basketball framework.

The presidents of the seven, non-FBS schools made the announcement Saturday, saying it was a unanimous vote. The schools: DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova.

Big East spokesperson John Paquette told ESPN.com the seven schools will leave on June 30, 2015, per conference bylaws. Those bylaws require departing members to give the conference 27 months' notice, but the league has negotiated early departures with several schools during the past year. Big East rules do allow schools to leave as a group without being obligated to pay exit fees.

The statement in which the seven Catholic schools announced their departure gave no details about their plans, such as whether they would attempt to keep the Big East name.

"Earlier today we voted unanimously to pursue an orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools that honors the history and tradition on which the Big East was established," the seven presidents said in a joint statement. "Under the current context of conference realignment, we believe pursuing a new basketball framework that builds on this tradition of excellence and competition is the best way forward."

The move leaves the futures of Connecticut, a founding member of the league in 1979, Cincinnati and South Florida -- three current members with FBS programs -- up in the air.

"The tragedy that took place in Newtown on Friday should be the focus of the thoughts of the people in Connecticut and all Husky fans this weekend," UConn president Susan Herbst said in a statement. "The University of Connecticut believes that the Big East Conference will continue to be a strong and exciting conference that is comprised of highly regarded national universities.

"We ask our fans to steer all passion and concern to Newtown, and we will honor those lost when we gather together as a university community for events this upcoming week."