Hazing Policy

A&M-Commerce HAZING POLICY

According to the Texas A&M University System, hazing is defined 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 for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

• 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;
• Involves 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;
• Involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance, other than described by the next paragraph, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student; and/or
• 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 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.

The complete A&M-Commerce hazing policy and all other conduct-related information are located within our Student Code of Conduct.

HAZING AND THE LAW

Hazing is not only against A&M-Commerce policy, but it is also against the law. The Texas Education Code sections 51.936 and 37.151 through 37.157, make hazing a criminal offense. Criminal penalties for hazing can include:

• Failing to report hazing: Fine up to $1,000 and/or up-to 180 days in jail
• Hazing not resulting in serious bodily injury: Fine of $500-$1,000 and/or 90-180 days in jail
• Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury: Fine of $1,000-$5,000 and/or 180 days to 1 year in jail
• Hazing resulting in death: Fine of $5,000-$10,000 and/or 1-2 years in jail

An individual convicted of hazing may be required to perform community service in lieu of confinement to jail, except when hazing results in death. Students who commit hazing can be subject to criminal prosecution and penalties as well as sanctions through the university conduct process.

Student groups and individual students can be found guilty of hazing.

TEXAS STATUTES

Hazing is a criminal act under the state law of Texas, as codified in the following statutes: