Student Organization Conduct Standing Report

HAZING

TAMUC HAZING POLICY

TAMUC is committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the university community and prohibits hazing by a student(s), a student group(s), or an employee(s).

According to the Texas A&M University System, hazing is defined as 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 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, other than described by the next paragraph, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student; and/or
• Is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code; or involves coercing, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, the student to consume a drug; or an alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated, as defined by Section 49.01, Penal Code.

The complete TAMUC hazing policy and all other conduct related information is located within our Student Code of Conduct (PDF).

Student Code of Conduct

Students or student groups may be disciplined and sanctioned for the misconduct of hazing under the TAMUC Student Code of Conduct. For more information, please visit the Dean of Students page  Here you will be able to access a copy of our Student Guidebook that contains all relevant information for TAMUC students, parents, faculty, and staff.

How to Report Suspected Hazing

Anyone with knowledge of hazing should immediately report the matter to TAMUC by completing the appropriate report form found on our Concerns and Incident Reporting Forms & Campus Security Authority Mandates page by visiting the following link: https://www.tamuc.edu/campuslife/DeanOfStudents/Concerns%20and%20Incident%20Reporting%20Forms.aspx. A report can also be made by calling the University Police Department (UPD) (903.886.5868). If someone is in immediate danger, please dial 911.

TAMUC will investigate all reports of hazing involving students, whether the alleged misconduct took place on or off-campus and regardless of the victim’s submission to the alleged misconduct.

Penalties for Hazing

TAMUC will discipline any students, or student groups found responsible for hazing. Sanctions for students found responsible for hazing can include but are not limited to: disciplinary probation, parental notification, suspension, expulsion, and other sanctions as deemed appropriate by University officials. Sanctions for student groups can include social probation, disciplinary probation, suspension, and loss of recognition. Students and student groups can also be assigned educational sanctions designed to change behavior and reduce the risk of future misconduct.

When hazing happens within a student group, TAMUC may find both the student group and individual student responsible. A student group can be found responsible if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, or alumni commit or assist in the commission of hazing.

Hazing Prevention

TAMUC has resources to help students and student groups prevent hazing. Students and student groups can consult with the Dean of Students Office, the Fraternity & Sorority Life Office, and the Counseling Center. Two nationally-based organizations can also be useful resources: Stop Hazing (http://stophazing.org) and Hazing Prevention (http://hazingprevention.org). Fraternity & Sorority Life annually hosts a multitude of hazing prevention-related activities during National Hazing Prevention Week in September.

Hazing and the Law

Hazing is not only against the TAMUC policy, but 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

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

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