Hazing
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is committed to providing a safe educational environment for all students. UTRGV does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University. Individual students and organizations are expected to abide by state law, Regent’s Rules, and University policies associated with the prohibition of hazing.
What Is Hazing?
Hazing is both a violation of university policy and a criminal offense (Sections 37.151 et seq. and 51.936, Texas Education Code) and may result in arrest and prosecution by civil authorities as well as disciplinary action pursuant to the Regent's Rules and Regulations (Part One, Chapter VI, Sections 3.28 and 3.6).
Hazing with or without the consent of a student is prohibited by the University and by the UT System. Both the hazer and the victim are subject to discipline.
According to state law, a person can commit a hazing offense not only by engaging in a hazing activity, but also by soliciting, directing, encouraging, aiding, or attempting to aid another in hazing; by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly allowing hazing to occur; or by failing to report to the Dean of Students or other appropriate official of the institution first-hand knowledge that a hazing incident is planned or has occurred. The fact that a person consented to or acquiesced in a hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution for hazing under the law.
In an effort to encourage reporting of hazing incidents, the law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person, including an entity organized to support an organization, who voluntarily reports a specific hazing event to the Dean of Students or other appropriate official of the institution, a peace officer, or a law enforcement agency immunizes that person from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed resulting from that report. The penalty for failure to report is a fine of up to $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both. Penalties for other hazing offenses vary according to the severity of the injury which results and include fines from $5,000 to $10,000 and/or confinement for up to two years.
The law does not affect or in any way restrict the right of the university to enforce its own rules against hazing.
The 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 any organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution. Hazing includes but is not limited to:
- any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
- any type of physical activity, such as 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;
- any activity involving the consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health of the student;
- any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code.
- any activity that 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.
Hazing Policies and Information
- STU 02-100 Student Conduct and Discipline
- Hazing in the Texas Education Code
- Safe Schools in Texas Education Code
Report on Hazing Violations
The University will provide a report on hazing violations that includes the following information:
- Name of the organization disciplined or convicted.
- The date on which the incident occurred or the citation was issued.
- The date on which the institution’s investigation into the incident was initiated.
- A general description of:
- The incident
- The violations of the institution’s code of conduct or the criminal charges
- The findings of the institution or court
- Any sanctions imposed by the institution, or any fines imposed by the court, on the organization
- The date on which the institution’s disciplinary process was resolved or on which the conviction became final.
The Office of the Dean of Students will email students to notify them of the Texas law, the definition of hazing, and university disciplinary rules, and to share the report on hazing violations.
| Document | Issued Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 Memo | August 9, 2024 | |
| Spring 2024 Memo | December 5, 2023 | |
| Fall 2023 Memo | August 14, 2023 | |
| Spring 2023 Memo | December 12, 2022 | |
| Fall 2022 Memo | August 12, 2022 | |
| Spring 2022 Memo | December 14, 2021 | |
| Fall 2021 Memo | August 18, 2021 |
Report Potential Hazing
Student Rights and Responsibilities provides Vaqueros Report It, an online reporting system that allows students, staff, and faculty a way to report any potential violations. Any person who suspects hazing should report through the Student Violations form, which is listed on the Vaqueros Report It webpage.
Urgent matters should be reported to local police or the University Police Department at (956) 882-4911.
Hazing Prevention Resources
More information
For questions or comments, you may contact Student Rights and Responsibilities or the University Police Department:
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesEmail: srr@utrgv.edu Location
University Police DepartmentEmail: police@utrgv.edu Phone Directory
Location
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