Hazing Policy

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is committed to building a safe and cohesive campus culture, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect among its students, faculty, and staff. Hazing is forbidden at UTA and is antithetical to the values of UTA, including collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

In accordance with applicable law and University policy, this statement of policy describes the methods utilized by UTA for hazing awareness, reporting, investigations, education, and prevention. Additional details regarding UTA’s hazing prevention strategies and reporting can be found at Hazing Prevention/Community Standards/University of Texas at Arlington.

Hazing is prohibited by state and federal law. Hazing is defined as engaging in any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting in concert with others, directed against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, committed in the course of pledging, being initiated to, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any university student organization whose members are or include students at UTA, and causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the student's education at UTA or the university organization, of physical or psychological injury.

The term organization means a fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club, or student government, a band or musical group or an academic, athletic, cheerleading, club sports team, or dance team (including both varsity and junior varsity), including any group or team that participates in National Collegiate Athletic Association competition, or a service, social, or similar group, in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University regardless of whether the organization is established or recognized by the University.

The term hazing includes, but is not limited to, any type of physical brutality, physical activity, activity involving consumption of food, liquid, drugs, or alcohol; activity that intimidates or threatens the student; any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the law; any activity that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation; any activity that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in the university; or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the university rather than submit to acts described in this section. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

1. Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
2. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
3. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
4. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
5. Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
6. Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law; and
7. Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law.

Hazing with or without the consent of a person, whether on or off campus, is prohibited, and a violation of that prohibition renders both the person inflicting the hazing and the person submitting to the hazing subject to discipline. Knowingly failing to report hazing can subject one to discipline. Initiations or activities of organizations may include no feature that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading to the person, and a violation of this prohibition renders both the organization and participating individuals subject to discipline.

This hazing definition, including the definition of an organization, can be found in the Student Conduct and Discipline Policy (SL-SC-PO-01). Note, as part of the regular review process, this Policy will be updated to match the language provided above prior to the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Hazing is prohibited by federal law (20 USC § 109) and by Texas state law (Tex. Ed. Code § 51.936 and §§ 37.151 - 37.157).

Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are encouraged to report all hazing incidents through UTA’s online hazing incident reporting form or by contacting Community Standards within the Office of the Dean of Students. All reports will be fairly and promptly investigated according to established university procedures and in compliance with all applicable state and federal hazing laws. The University will maintain reporter confidentiality to the full extent possible; information will be shared only when necessary to investigate, adjudicate, and resolve hazing allegations.

UTA strongly encourages anyone who has witnessed or suspects hazing to report the incident. Reports may be submitted through the following:

• Office of the Dean of Students, Community Standards:
  • Call the office at (817) 272-2354.
  • Visit the office in the basement of University Center, Lower Level, Suite B150. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
  • Submit a Hazing Incident Report Form directly to Community Standards within the Office of the Dean of Students. Note, these reports can be made anonymously.
• UTA Police Department:
  • In case of emergency or for imminent threats, call (817) 272-3003.
  • For non-emergency reports, call (817) 272-3381.
  • For Crime Victim Services, call (817) 272-9254.
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline:
  • Call the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). Note, these reports can be made anonymously.
  • All information provided will be forwarded to the appropriate UTA staff for investigation.

To encourage individuals to report incidents of hazing, UTA may grant immunity from student or employee disciplinary action to a person who, in good faith, voluntarily reports specific incidents of hazing prior to being contacted by UTA concerning the incident or being included in UTA’s investigation of the incident. Immunity does not extend to the person’s own violation of hazing or when a report is made in bad faith or with malice.

For more information about immunity, please see Texas Education Code Section 37.155 and the hazing subsection in the Student Conduct and Discipline Policy (SL-SC-PO-01).

In accordance with federal and state law, UTA generates two distinct reports that include relevant hazing data. Beginning with the 2026 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report (ASR) (available in October 2026), UTA will provide an annual numerical count, indicating the number of hazing allegations made within UTA’s established Clery geography, regardless of whether the student organization is established, registered, or recognized by UTA. Details on all findings of responsibility and associated sanctions related to hazing allegations against established, registered, or recognized student organizations, regardless of geography, during the preceding five years can be found at Hazing Prevention/Community Standards/University of Texas at Arlington; this report is updated no less than biannually.

Hazing investigations are initiated by Community Standards within the Office of the Dean of Students, as directed by the Discipline of Student Organizations Policy (SL-SO-PO7). This policy establishes a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution process. Determinations of responsibility are made based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard.

This process includes the following:

1. Report: Allegations of hazing can be made by any individual who witnesses or suspects hazing by utilizing one of the reporting methods provided above (“How to Report Incidents of Hazing”).
   
   An initial review will be made of the hazing report by Community Standards to determine if there is sufficient information to proceed with an investigation. At this phase of the process, Community Standards will also seek to involve UTA Fraternity and Sorority Life or Student Organization staff, as appropriate, to collaborate with, and seek input from, the inter/national headquarters staff and advisor(s) of the organization.
   
   All reports of hazing will be shared with the UTA Police Department for additional investigation and the possible initiation of criminal charges.
2. Conference: Community Standards may summons any officer of the student organization to a conference to discuss the alleged hazing incident. This conference can be used to gather additional facts related to the alleged incident, or may be dispositive, leading to the dismissal of the allegations (when there is insufficient evidence to proceed) or a finding of responsibility.
3. Hearing: Community Standards may also, if necessary, summons the organization through the organization’s President and/or other officers to participate in a hearing. Failure to appear without cause may result in rendering the organization inactive until the organization responds to the summons, or the hearing may proceed in the absence of the student organization’s officers/representatives.
4. Interim Action: Community Standards may impose immediate disciplinary action prior to final disposition, including placing the student organization on inactive status, when necessary to prevent additional harm and to maintain the safety of the campus community.
5. Sanctions: If a student organization is found responsible of hazing, it is subject to the following sanctions:
   • Suspension of organizational campus privileges (i.e., posting public signs, reserving University facilities, etc.),
   • Probation or suspension for a set period,
   • Permanent loss of registration, and
   • Other appropriate sanctions based on the circumstances present.

It is important to note that individual students may be involved in a simultaneous personal student conduct process under the Student Conduct and Discipline Policy (SL-SC-PO-01).

UTA provides several opportunities, both required and voluntary, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff receive research-informed, educational programming regarding the indications, risks, and the consequences of hazing. Implemented campus-wide, these programs include:

Training:

• Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, all UTA students are required to complete an online educational hazing module. In each subsequent year, all new UTA students will be required to complete the same online course. All UTA employees have the opportunity to complete an online educational hazing module to improve awareness and understanding of their responsibilities under the law; participation in this optional training is encouraged through university-wide communication and Hazing Prevention Committee events.
• Leaders for student organizations, including fraternity and sorority leaders and new members, receive additional hazing awareness and prevention training through a variety of modalities, including in-person workshops; this instruction includes strategies to support ethical leadership.
• Student athletes receive specialized training, geared toward their unique needs and perspective, including workshops, conference attendance, and first-year experience courses, which incorporate hazing prevention education and discussion.

Hazing Prevention Committee Awareness Efforts:

• This Committee creates and provides comprehensive hazing education and prevention programming. The Committee is comprised of employees from across the campus community to ensure a diversity of perspectives and increase the efficacy of its work.
• Monthly events, tabling, and workshops are offered across campus, targeted to engage students, faculty, and staff in prevention initiatives. This programming centers around a pivotal value or theme, tied to UTA’s institutional values. Printed and digital resources and social media campaigns help enhance these learning opportunities.
• It is aim of this Committee to increase understanding while shifting the conversation from reactive to proactive. Through these efforts, hazing prevention is reframed as an opportunity to positively impact the UTA community and extend our culture of engagement and belonging free from hazing.

In addition to the awareness and prevention programming, UTA uses the following strategies to proactively combat hazing within our community:

• Bystander Intervention Training: UTA collaborates with Alteristic, Inc. to provide Green Dot for College bystander intervention campus training. This research-informed instruction helps equip students with the skills to proactively intervene in high-risk situations, reducing harmful behaviors, including hazing. Green Dot training helps change the campus culture through caring accountability.
• Leadership Development and Group Cohesion Strategies: UTA offers numerous opportunities for leadership development.

The Follett Student Leadership Center offers programming, workshops, retreats, and service opportunities, local and across the globe, for both individual students and student organizations. These experiences endeavor to grow student leadership skills while providing opportunities for students to make a positive impact on the campus community and beyond.

Involvement and Engagement also offer meaningful co-curricular opportunities for students to develop personally and socially by learning to foster inclusive connections and strong relationships, collaborate and work together in team settings, practice emerging leadership skills, and empower the growth of others free from harmful behaviors.

Under Texas state law (Tex. Ed. Code § 37.152 and § 37.153) hazing is a criminal offense. Individuals or organizations who are criminally convicted of engaging in hazing are subject to penalties based on the severity of the action.

Failing to report hazing or hazing that does not cause serious bodily injury is a Class B misdemeanor and subject to a fine up to $2,000, jail time not to exceed 180 days, or both; community service may also be required.

Hazing that causes serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine up to $4,000, jail time not to exceed one year, or both; community service may also be required.

Hazing that causes the death of another person is a state jail felony and may be subject to a fine up to $10,000 and will face jail time of no less than 180 days and nor more than two years. Punishment will increase if the individual used a deadly weapon or has been previously convicted of a felony.

Organizations convicted of hazing are criminally responsible for a misdemeanor in Texas and punishable by a fine of:

• Between $5,000 and $10,000, or
• When there is a court finding that the hazing caused personal injury, property damage, or other loss, between $5,000 and not more than double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of the injury, damage, or loss.

Consent is never a defense to hazing under Texas law.

UTA is committed to building a culture of belonging and mutual respect free from the negative impacts of hazing. Disciplinary action under the Student Conduct and Discipline Policy (SL-SC-PO-01), related University policies and procedures, and applicable laws will be taken against all individuals and organizations found responsible for hazing.

For more information about applicable penalties, see the Texas Education Code (Tex. Ed. Code § 37.152 and § 37.153) and the Texas Penal Code section on Punishments.

The Texas Education Code (Tex. Ed. Code § 37.155) provides immunity for individuals who report hazing and participate in the investigation and resolution process if the person:

1. Reports the incident before being contacted by the institution or law enforcement agency concerning the incident or otherwise being included in the institution or law enforcement agency’s investigation of the incident, and
2. Cooperates in good faith throughout any institutional process or law enforcement agency’s investigation regarding the incident, as determined by the Dean of Students or other appropriate official of the institution (designated by the institution), or by the chief or other appropriate office of the law enforcement agency (designated by the law enforcement agency).

Immunity does not apply if the individual reports their own act of hazing or reports an incident of hazing in bad faith or with malice.