Hazing

Hazing

Texas Southmost College takes pride in providing its students with a safe environment for their education. Texas Southmost College does not tolerate hazing by any individual or group associated with the college.

What is Hazing?

“Hazing” means 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 for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

1. 1. Is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
   2. 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.
   3. Involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, other than as described by item 5, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
   4. Is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.
   5. Involves coercing, as defined by Penal Code 1.07, 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 Penal Code 49.01.

Hazing not only violates college policy but is also a criminal offense in Texas.  The 70th Texas Legislature enacted a law concerning hazing which became effective on September 1, 1987. Under the law, individuals or organizations engaging in hazing could be subject to fines and charged with a criminal offense. According to the 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 first-hand knowledge, in writing to the Director of Student Life, 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 this law.

In an effort to encourage reporting of hazing incidents, the law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person who reports a specific hazing event in good faith and without malice to the Director of Student Life or other appropriate official of the institution and immunizes that person for participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from that report. Additionally, a doctor or other medical practitioner who treats a student who may have been subjected to hazing may make a good faith report of the suspected hazing activities to police or other law enforcement officials and is immune from civil or other liability that might otherwise be imposed or incurred as a result of the report.

Hazing in the Texas Education Code

Hazing in the Texas Education Code

Texas Southmost College Student Handbook

Texas Southmost College Student Organization Handbook

Texas Southmost College Board Policy Manual

Campus Hazing Violations

Texas Southmost College will provide a report on hazing violations which will be updated biannually.  Each student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued relating to a hazing violation will include the following information on the report:

• • The name of the organization.
  • A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including:
    • Whether the violation involved the abuse of illegal use of alcohol or drugs,
    • The findings of the institution, and
    • Any sanctions placed on the student organization by the institution, as applicable, and

• • The dates on which:
    • • The incident was alleged to have occurred
    • • The investigation into the incident was initiated
    • • The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred
    • • The institution provided notice to the student organizations that the incident resulted in a hazing violation.

Hazing Transparency Report

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment, Texas Southmost College provides this Hazing Transparency Report in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act. This page offers clear and accessible information about any reported hazing incidents, related investigations, and outcomes. Our goal is to promote accountability, encourage reporting, and ensure that all students, employees, and visitors can learn, work, and participate in campus life free from intimidation or harm.

Date of Report:  December 12, 2025                Period Covered in this Report:  July 1, 2025 – December 12, 2025

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Name of Organization	Timeline of Incident, including the dates on which: • the incident was alleged to have occurred, • the investigation into the incident was initiated, • the investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred, • the institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation	General Description of the Violation including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs	Details related to the findings of the institution, including any sanctions placed on the student organization.
No Reports Received	N/A	N/A	N/A

How to Report Hazing

If it is an emergency and you or someone is in danger Call 911 immediately. You may also call campus security at:

• • Main – (956)295-3700

• • Main Alternate – (346)631-9094

• • ITECC – (956)295-3755

• • ITECC Alternate – (346)690-2773

Hazing may be reported using your information or anonymously using the link below:

https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?TexasSouthmostCollege&layout_id=0

Make sure to include important details in the report such as:

• • Names of people and/or organization involved

• • Location of where it occurred

• • Dates

• • A description of what occurred

It is also a crime which can be reported to local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction.

Hazing Prevention

https://stophazing.org/
https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/