Hazing

HSC is committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the university community and prohibits hazing by any student, student group or employee.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, 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, including:

1. Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
2. Conduct involving sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
3. Conduct involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, other than described by paragraph 5;
4. Conduct involving any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code, the Code, other HSC policies;
5. Conduct involving coercing the student to consume
   • A drug;
   • An alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated
6. Any act that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Laws against Hazing

Hazing is not only against HSC policy, it is also against the law. The Texas Education Code, sections 51.936 and 37.151 through 37.157 make hazing a criminal offense. Criminal penalties for hazing can include:

• Failing to report hazing: Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail
• Hazing not resulting in serious bodily injury: Fine of $500-$1,000 and/or 90-180 days in jail
• Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury: Fine of $1,000-$5,000 and/or 180 days to 1 year in jail
• Hazing resulting in death: Fine of $5,000-$10,000 and/or 1-2 years in jail

Except where hazing results in death, an individual convicted of hazing may be required to perform community service in lieu of confinement to jail. Students who commit hazing can be subject to both criminal prosecution and penalties as well as sanctions through the university conduct process.

Student groups and individual students can be found guilty of hazing.

National Resources

• The National Anti-Hazing Hotline toll-free number is 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). The line is available to those who think they, or students they know, have been or may become victims of hazing. Callers may remain anonymous or they can provide personal information so that their concerns can be responded to directly.
• StopHazing.org is a Web site dedicated to education to eliminate hazing. More information is available at http://www.stophazing.org.
• HazingPrevention.Org is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose goal is to encourage healthy and productive experiences for new members of teams, student organizations and fraternities and sororities. More information is available at http://hazingprevention.org/.

How to Report

• Student Organization Misconduct Reporting Form
• HSC Police Department 817-735-2600
• HSC Trust Line – 844-692-6025 or www.unthsc.edu/letstalk
  • Anonymous reports can be made through the HSC Trust Line, utilizing a third-party reporting line.  The Office of Integrity and Awareness will be notified that a concern has been documented and will review. Please note, the third-party operates its own secure server to maintain confidentiality.

Support Services Liaison Officer: Jeremy Joseph; 817-735-2040 Jeremy.Joseph@unthsc.edu

State law requires HSC to post on the institution’s website a report of hazing committed on or off campus by an organization registered with or recognized by the institution.  The report must also include information regarding each disciplinary action taken by the institution against an organization for hazing, and each conviction of hazing under Section 37.153 by an organization, during the three years preceding the date on which the report is issued or updated.  No personally identifiable student information will be included in the report in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

HSC has had zero incidents of hazing in 2021 and 2023. Hazing violations in 2022 are posted below in accordance with state law.