Dear UNT students,

The university is taking this opportunity to inform you about the dangers and consequences of hazing.

Hazing is a criminal act under the state law of Texas.

Hazing is defined as 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 a group, if the act:

a) is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of harmful substance on the body or similar activity;

b) 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;

c) 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;

d) 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:

  1. a drug; or
  2. 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.

e) is any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Code of Student Conduct; other university policies; or local, state or federal laws.

Hazing occurs regardless of whether the act is committed on or off the university campus and regardless of whether the student victim may have consented to or acquiesced in the activity.

A person engages in hazing not only by directly engaging in hazing activity, but also by soliciting, directing, encouraging, aiding or attempting to aid another in hazing; or by recklessly allowing hazing to occur; or by knowingly failing to report firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident is planned or has occurred. Any person reporting a specific hazing incident involving a student to the Dean of Students or other appropriate university official is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred as a result of the report.

Students may be prosecuted for committing an act of hazing or for failing to report firsthand knowledge of hazing.

Incidents or planned incidents of hazing must be reported to any one of the following:

Organizations also can be prosecuted for committing acts of hazing by condoning or encouraging hazing, or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges or alumni of the organization commit or assist in the commission of hazing.

State law specifically extends the definition of organization to include a fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club or service, social or similar group whose members are primarily students at an educational institution.

Organizations found to have committed an act of hazing may be fined. Individuals found guilty of hazing can be fined and sentenced to jail.

Additionally, the university may discipline a student, including permanent expulsion, and may also discipline an organization, including permanently removing the organization from campus.

In accordance with requirements of the Texas Education Code, Section 51.936(c), the following organizations have been disciplined for hazing, on or off campus, during the preceding three years:

  • Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Sigma 
  • Alpha Phi Alpha, Eta Epsilon 
  • Sigma Chi, Iota Phi 
  • Omega Psi Phi, Phi Gamma 
  • Phi Gamma Delta, Nu Tau 
  • UNT Football Team

Immunity: Good Faith Reporting

The university may elect not to pursue disciplinary sanctions for a violation of this policy against persons who voluntarily and in good faith provide information related to hazing to the Dean of Students or an appropriate university official.

Further information about hazing is available in the Dean of Students office, Union 409, 940-565-2039 or on the UNT Hazing Prevention and Response page.

Sincerely,

Laura Smith, Ph.D.
Dean of Students