The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended its recognition of all fraternities and sororities and similar organizations in the institution for the next academic year, eight months after law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III died from apparent hazing.

UST’s school paper, The Varsitarian, tweeted a copy of the memorandum on Tuesday night, May 22, that said “the University has decided to suspend the recognition of all Fraternities, Sororities, or similar organizations effective at the start of A.Y. 2018-2019 until further notice.” 

Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Ma. Socorro Guan Hing said the decision was made based on UST’s mandate to protect its students. She also barred organizations from recruiting students to join their ranks.

“All fraternities, sororities, or similar organizations are directed to cease and desist from recruiting students or engaging in any kind of activities,” Guan Hing’s memorandum read.

The suspension of fraternities and sororities is “in light of the recent incident involving the hazing death of a law student and in keeping with the duty of the University to take proactive steps to protect the students from the danger of participating in activities that will involve hazing,” as stated in the memorandum.

Castillo died while undergoing initiation rites with the Aegis Jvris fraternity on September 17, 2017.