The university said Wednesday its vice president for student affairs and the Penn State Interfraternity Council acted jointly to stop all alcohol-related social activities "until further notice."
The decision follows the death on Saturday of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey.
Police say members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity didn't call for help until about 12 hours after Piazza fell down a stairwell.
The fraternity has been suspended and police are investigating.
Penn State says an administrator told fraternity leaders the moratorium will remain until they agree to change their policies and practices.