Hazing Prevention and Response

Tarleton State University and the Division of Student Engagement & Success are committed to working diligently with individuals and organizations to eliminate hazing and create positive change on our campuses. Tarleton State University students, faculty, and staff are expected to be partners in enacting the University’s Core Values by creating and maintaining standards that are conducive to personal growth and development.

Hazing Myths vs. Facts

Myth	Fact
If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can’t be considered hazing.	Under state law and Tarleton State University policy, the fact that a person consented to a hazing activity is not a defense. The peer pressure and desire to belong in a student organization can create a coercive environment where true consent cannot be given.
Myth	Fact
A little hazing should be okay, as long as there’s no mean-spirited or harmful intent.	Hazing is illegal under Texas state law and violates University policy. It does not become okay, legal or permissible if no harm is intended.
Myth	Fact
Hazing is okay as long as it is not physically dangerous.	Mental hazing can be brutal and leave lasting psychological scars. Some hazing victims report that the mental hazing they endured was worse than being physically abused.
Myth	Fact
Hazing builds unity among new members.	Engaging in unlawful behavior is not the way to build unity. Hazing may create unity among new members, but often there are costs as well. The effect of hazing on a group can be like the effect of a natural disaster on a community: residents feel closer to each other afterward but many are suffering. Would anyone suggest that it is good for a community to be hit by a natural disaster?

What is Hazing?

State law defines hazing 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, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution.

Hazing is a criminal violation under Texas law. A person may be found guilty of criminal conduct for hazing, encouraging hazing, permitting hazing, or having knowledge of the planning of hazing incidents and failure to report his/her knowledge to the appropriate authority.

Penalties

Both failing to report hazing and hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury are Class B misdemeanors. Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor. Hazing resulting in a death is a state jail felony. An organization found guilty of hazing may be fined $5,000 to $10,000 or, for incidents causing personal injury or property damage, an amount double the loss or expenses incurred because of the hazing incident.

The state law does not limit or affect an educational institution’s right to enforce its own penalties against hazing. Tarleton State University’s policy on hazing can be found in the Student Conduct Code.

Possible University action includes, but is not limited to:

• Conduct Probation
• Disciplinary Probation, and prohibit privileges
• Bar against readmission or drop from current enrollment and bar against readmission
• Required participation in specific educational programs *
• Restitution
• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Revocation of degree, denial of degree and/or withdrawal of diploma

To report suspected incidents of hazing, please submit Tarleton State University’s confidential online form. Reports of hazing can also be made to:

• the Vice President for Student Engagement & Success;
• the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement & Success and Dean of Students;
• or the University Police Department

Disciplined Organizations Within the Past Three Years

In accordance with requirements of the Texas Education Code, Section 51.936(c), “Each postsecondary educational institution shall distribute to each student during the first three weeks of each semester a list of organizations that have been disciplined for hazing or convicted for hazing on or off the campus of the institution during the preceding three years.” These organization(s) have been disciplined for hazing and/or convicted for hazing during the preceding three years at Tarleton.

Examples of Hazing?

Subtle Hazing

Subtle hazing is behavior that emphasizes a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other members of the group or team. Termed “subtle hazing” because these types of hazing are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members/rookies often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group or team. (Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment hazing).

Harassment Hazing

Harassment hazing is behavior that causes emotional anguish or physical discomfort to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. (Some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing).

Violent Hazing

Violent hazing is behavior that has the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm.

Personal Hazing Offense

A person commits a hazing offense if the person:

• Engages in hazing
• Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing
• Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permits hazing to occur

Additional Resources