PS-04.A.07 - Hazing
Effective Date: September 11, 2025
Issue #: 5
President: Loren J. Blanchard, Ph. D.
1. Purpose
1.1. The University of Houston Downtown (“University”) is dedicated to fostering a
welcoming and dynamic environment that prioritizes developing talent, generating knowledge,
and advancing the socioeconomic progress of our communities toward a fair and sustainable
future. The University considers pre-initiation activities as opportunities to support
the development of talent through a positive educational approach that prepares students
for involvement in student organizations. This policy addresses hazing, which runs
counter to the University’s commitment to a positive educational environment.
1.2. Participation in hazing activities is against the law. Violation of the University’s
hazing policy, whether on or off campus, may subject participants, including students
and organizations, to arrest, prosecution and/or disciplinary action, including, but
not limited to, suspension or expulsion of students and the revocation of an organization’s
registration and/or recognition at the University. Consent to or acquiescence in hazing
activity is not a defense.
1.3. The University strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities by any party,
regardless of whether consent is given. Hazing activities do not contribute to the
positive development or welfare of students. The University of Houston Downtown recognizes
the act of hazing as illegal, irresponsible, intolerable, and inconsistent with the
principles of higher education and basic human development.
1.4. Accordingly, this policy strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities
by all parties. This policy provides a summary of the relevant provisions of the law
regarding hazing.
1.5. UHD Campus Hazing Transparency Report
1.5.1. Each institution of higher education in the State of Texas is required to publish
or distribute a list of student organizations that have been disciplined or convicted
for hazing violations on or off-campus during the previous five years.
1.5.1.A. UHD’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report can be accessed on the Dean of Student’s
website.
1.5.1.B. Hazing statistics can also be found in the Clery Annual Security Report on
UHD’s Police Department website.
1.5.2. In compliance with Texas Senate Bill 38, organizations found responsible for
hazing will be listed in accordance with Texas Education Code, sections 37.151 (5)
and (6).
2. Definitions
2.1. “Pledge” means any person who has been accepted by, is considering an offer of
membership from, or is in the process of qualifying for membership in an organization.
2.2. “Pledging” means any action or activity related to becoming a member of an organization.
2.3. “Student” means any person who:
2.3.1. is registered in or in attendance at an educational institution;
2.3.2. has been accepted for admission at the educational institution where the hazing
incident occurs; or
2.3.3. intends to attend an educational institution during any of its regular sessions
after a period of scheduled vacation.
2.4. Student Organization means an organization at an institution of higher education
(such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club
sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more
of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether
or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
2.5. The term hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by
a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person
or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate
that:
2.5.1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the
maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
2.5.2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course
of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such
as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical
or psychological injury, including:
2.5.2.A. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance
on someone's body, or similar activity;
2.5.2.B. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the
elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
2.5.2.C. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food,
liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
2.5.2.D. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual
acts;
2.5.2.E. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm
through the use of threatening words or conduct;
2.5.2.F. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of
local, State,
2.5.2.G. Tribal, or Federal law; and
2.5.2.H. 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.
3. Policy
3.1. Hazing
3.1.1. The University strictly prohibits hazing.
3.1.1.A. Personal Hazing Offense
i. A person commits an offense if the person: engages in hazing; solicits, encourages,
directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing; or has firsthand
knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an
educational institution, or has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident
has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the dean
of students or other appropriate official of the institution.
ii. The offense of failing to report is a Class B misdemeanor. Any other offense under
this section that does not cause serious bodily injury to another is a Class B misdemeanor.
Any other offense under this section that causes serious bodily injury to another
is a Class A misdemeanor. Any other offense under this section that causes the death
of another is a state jail felony.
3.1.1.B. Organization Hazing Offense
i. An organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing
or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization
commits or assists in the commission of hazing.
ii. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by: a fine of not less
than $5,000 nor more than $10,000; or if the court finds that the offense caused personal
injury, property damage, or other loss, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than
double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of the injury, damage, or loss.
3.1.2. Consent Not a Defense
3.1.2.A. Consent to or acquiescence in hazing activity is not a defense. Any of the
activities described herein where the initiation or admission into, or affiliation
with, or continued membership in an organization is directly conditioned shall be
presumed to be “compelled activities,” the willingness of an individual to participate
notwithstanding. It is not a defense to prosecution of an offense that the person
against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.
3.1.3. Examples of actions and activities which may constitute hazing include, but
are not limited to, the following:
3.1.3.A. Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs.
3.1.3.B. Paddling in any form, shoving, or otherwise striking individuals.
3.1.3.C. Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs.
3.1.3.D. Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs.
3.1.3.E. Having harmful substances thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the
bodies of individuals.
3.1.3.F. Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities which make an individual
the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
3.1.3.G. Transporting individuals against their will, abandoning individuals at distant
locations, or conducting any “kidnap,” “ditch,” or “road trip” that may in any way
endanger or compromise the health, safety, or comfort of any individual.
3.1.3.H. Causing an individual to be indecently exposed or exposed to the elements.
3.1.3.I. Requiring an individual to remain in a fixed position for a long period of
time.
3.1.3.J. Compelling an individual to be branded or tattooed.
3.1.3.K. “Line-ups” involving intense shouting of obscenities or insults
3.1.3.L. Compelling individuals to participate in activities (pranks, scavenger hunts,
etc.) which encourage the defacement of property; engage in theft; harass other individuals,
groups of individuals or organizations.
3.1.3.M. Excluding an individual from social contact for prolonged periods of time.
3.1.3.N. Compelling an individual to engage in acts of personal servitude.
3.1.4. Responsibility of the Organization
3.1.4.A. The organization has the responsibility to ensure its activities are acceptable
under this policy. If you are not sure whether an activity is hazing, the activity
should be dropped or discussed with the appropriate University official prior to further
activity. Questions regarding the acceptability of a proposed organization activity
should be discussed with the Dean of Students Office.
3.1.5. Enforcement
3.1.5.A. The President, Chair, or designated leader of each student organization is
responsible for informing the members (pledges, associate members, initiated members,
affiliates, etc.) of the organization of the University policy regarding hazing. The
President, Chair or Leader should discuss and distribute a copy of this policy to
each member of the organization during the first meeting of each semester.
3.1.5.B. The President, Chair, or designated leader of each organization is responsible
for informing their guests and alumni members of that Organization regarding this
policy and is additionally responsible for controlling the actions of their guests
and alumni members of that organization regarding this policy.
3.1.5.C. It is the responsibility of any and all individuals who have firsthand knowledge
of the planning or actual occurrence of a hazing activity to report promptly their
knowledge to the Dean of Students Office.
3.1.5.D. Complaints may be made through the Dean of Students Office (Student Conduct
Referral), the University of Houston Downtown Police Department, as well as through
the University’s anonymous reporting system at Secure Anonymous Reporting Link.
3.1.5.E. Discipline and sanctions will be handled through the Student Conduct process
as described in the Student Handbook.
3.1.5.F. Retaliation against any individual, including victims of hazing, good faith
reporters, witnesses and/or cooperating individuals, is prohibited, and may result
in further disciplinary action.
3.1.6. Immunity from Prosecution or Civil Liability
3.1.6.A. A court may grant immunity from prosecution for the offense to each person
who is subpoenaed to testify for the prosecution and who does testify for the prosecution.
3.1.6.B. Any person who voluntarily reports a specific hazing incident involving a
student in an educational institution to the dean of students or other appropriate
official of the institution is immune from civil or criminal liability that might
otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the reported hazing incident if the
person:
i. reports the incident before being contacted by the institution concerning the incident
or otherwise being included in the institution's investigation of the incident; and
ii. as determined by the dean of students or other appropriate official of the institution
designated by the institution, cooperates in good faith throughout any institutional
process regarding the incident.
3.1.6.C. A person is not immune under Subsection (b) if the person:
i. reports the person's own act of hazing; or
ii. reports an incident of hazing in bad faith or with malice.
3.1.7. Prevention Program on Hazing
3.1.7.A. The University of Houston Downtown implements several research-informed,
campus-wide prevention programs to educate and engage students, faculty, and staff
in hazing prevention:
i. National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW): Hosted annually by Student Leadership and
Involvement, NHPW includes educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and student-led
events that promote safe and welcoming community- building practices.
ii. Greek Leaders Summit: This program is for all returning and newly initiated members
of fraternities and sororities. It focuses on hazing prevention and mental health.
iii. Greek 101/Meet the Greeks: A program for aspiring members of a fraternity or
sorority that provides an overview of hazing prevention and an overview of university
policies and expectations. This event focuses on fostering a community of safety and
encourages team building.
iv. Bystander Intervention Training: Offered through UHD Title IX /EEOC, these sessions
equip students with the skills to recognize and safely intervene in potentially harmful
situations, including hazing.
v. New Member Education Standards: Student organizations are required to submit and
follow approved new member education plans that emphasize respect, safety, and compliance
with university policies.
3.1.7.B. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to prevent hazing before
it occurs and to cultivate a culture of accountability and care across the campus
community.
3.1.8. Offenses in Addition to Other Penal Provisions
3.1.8.A. The University may enforce its own penalties against hazing.
4. Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this P.S.
5. Review Process
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Assistant Vice President for Student Succes and Dean of Students
Review: Every year on or before July 1 and as necessary.
Signed original on file.
6. Policy History
Issue #1: 08/11/20
Issue #2: 09/09/20
Issue #3: 09/11/25 (current issue)
7. References
UHD’s Police Department website
Secure Anonymous Reporting Link
8. Exhibits
There are no exhibits associated with this P.S.