Hazing
Hazing is a criminal offense under Texas law that can subject a person to fines, community service, and imprisonment of up to two (2) years.
A person commits the offense of hazing if the person (1) engages in hazing, (2) solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing, (3) recklessly permits hazing to occur, or (4) has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution, or has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the dean of students or other appropriate official of the institution. Tex. Educ. Code § 37.152.
An organization commits the offense of hazing if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing. Tex. Educ. Code § 37.153.
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:
- is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
- involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;\
- involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
- is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Texas Penal Code; or
- involves coercing the student to consume (a) a drug; or (b) an alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated. Tex. Educ. Code § 37.151(6).
The consent of the person subject to the hazing is not a defense to criminal prosecution under Texas law. Tex. Educ. Code § 37.154. Individuals who assist in the prosecution of hazing offenses, or who come forward with information before being contacted investigators, may be able to receive immunity for their assistance. Tex. Educ. Code § 37.155.
The University reports on disciplinary actions and convictions for hazing involving an organization of the University. The University’s reports are updated within thirty (30) days of a disciplinary decision or conviction, and are maintained for the prior three calendar years. The University’s reports are available online at https://udallas.edu/consumer-info/hazing.php.