Texas Hazing Law & Fraternity Abuse: A Comprehensive Guide for Town of Avinger Parents & Families

For Parents in Town of Avinger: When Hazing Hits Close to Home

Imagine getting a 2 a.m. call from your child at Texas A&M University or the University of Texas at Austin. Their voice is shaky. They’re trying to sound okay, but you hear the exhaustion—the kind that comes from days of sleep deprivation, not just studying. They mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until dawn. They make excuses for bruises they can’t quite explain. They’ve become secretive about their phone, anxious about group chat notifications. When you press gently, they shut down: “It’s just how things are done here. Everyone goes through it.”

For families in Town of Avinger and across Cass County, this scenario isn’t just hypothetical. Right now, less than 250 miles from your community, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are horrifying in their specificity: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; “workouts” involving 100+ push-ups and 500 squats; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7; and another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour.

The medical outcome was catastrophic: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days with critically elevated creatine kinase levels and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion.

This case isn’t an anomaly. It’s proof of what’s happening right now on Texas campuses where Town of Avinger families send their children. This comprehensive guide exists to give you the knowledge we wish every Texas parent had before their child joins a campus organization. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law works, what’s happening at major universities your children attend, and what legal options exist when things go terribly wrong.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “pranks” of past generations. For Town of Avinger families with children at Texas universities, understanding modern hazing is critical to recognizing danger signs.

A Modern, Texas-Relevant Definition

Hazing in 2025 means any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a campus group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, this includes “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act” that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of “pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership” in any student organization.

Crucially for Texas families: “I agreed to it” does not make it legal. The law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing (Most Common & Deadly)

• Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “Big/Little nights,” “family tree” rituals)
• “Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean forced drinking
• Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances
• Being given handles of liquor with expectation to finish them

2. Physical Hazing (Increasingly Extreme)

• Paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national prohibitions)
• Extreme calisthenics (“smokings,” “workouts”) far beyond normal conditioning
• The Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races
• Sleep deprivation (mandatory late-night meetings, 3 AM wake-up calls)
• Food/water deprivation or forced overconsumption
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
• Public shaming rituals

4. Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
• Manipulation or forced confessions
• “Roasts” or “grilling” sessions where pledges are torn down
• Creating fear of expulsion from the group

5. Digital/Online Hazing (The New Frontier)

• Group chat dares and “challenges” on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok
• Social media policing (controlling what pledges can post)
• Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• 24/7 accessibility expectations with punishment for delayed responses

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

For Town of Avinger parents, it’s crucial to understand hazing extends beyond fraternity stereotypes:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural Greek councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (Particularly relevant for Texas A&M families)
• Spirit Squads & Tradition Clubs (Texas Cowboys, song leaders, cheer teams)
• Athletic Teams (Football, basketball, baseball, swimming – at both varsity and club levels)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common thread across all these groups: social status, tradition, and secrecy keep dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Town of Avinger Families Must Know

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (The Foundation)

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions that govern cases involving Town of Avinger students attending state universities. Here’s what you need to know in plain English:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety AND occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
• Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer who knew) and retaliating against reporters are also misdemeanors

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized/encouraged hazing OR if an officer/member acting officially knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement are immune from civil/criminal liability that might otherwise result.

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense: This is crucial – even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law.

§ 37.156 Reporting by Educational Institutions: Texas colleges must provide hazing prevention education, publish policies, and maintain annual reports of violations.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State):

• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related charges: Hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Prosecutor: District Attorney’s office
• Standard: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims/Families):

• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Plaintiff: Victim or surviving family
• Standard: Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

Key Insight for Town of Avinger Families: Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families pursue civil litigation even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
• This means better data for Town of Avinger parents researching campus safety

Title IX (When Sexualized Hazing Occurs):

• Triggered when hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility
• Creates additional reporting obligations and potential liability for universities
• Can provide alternative avenues for accountability

Clery Act:

• Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
• Hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes (assaults, alcohol/drug crimes)

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

For Town of Avinger families considering legal action, understanding potential defendants is crucial:

1. Individual Students:

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
• Chapter officers (presidents, pledgemasters, risk managers – like the 13 individuals sued in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
• Chapter housing corporations (like the “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc.” listed in IRS records with EIN 462267515 in Frisco, TX)

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• In the UH case: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is a defendant

4. University or Governing Board:

• The school or regents may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• In the UH case: University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants

5. Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under Texas dram shop theories)
• Security companies or event organizers

6. Alumni Associations & Housing Corporations:

• Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations in IRS filings
• These entities often control insurance and assets

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Town of Avinger Families

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern (The Most Common Tragedy)

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• 20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: Multiple convictions; $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Pi Kappa Alpha operates chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech – the same national organization, same risks

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game; wrong answers = forced drinking
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Outcome: Multiple prosecutions; Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M – same ritual patterns

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• 19-year-old pledge died from traumatic brain injuries after bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
• Falls captured on fraternity security cameras; brothers delayed calling for help
• Outcome: 18 members charged with 1,000+ criminal counts; Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Beta Theta Pi has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M – same culture risks

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
• Outcome: Multiple prosecutions; FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Same national organization involved in the current UH case our firm is litigating

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

• Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
• Outcome: Multiple convictions; national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Shows off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Outcome: Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination suit
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life; major athletic programs harbor systemic abuse

What These National Cases Mean for Town of Avinger Families

1. Pattern Recognition: The same scripts repeat across campuses – forced drinking nights, humiliation rituals, cover-ups
2. Legal Precedents: These cases established that universities and nationals can be held accountable
3. Settlement Values: Death cases regularly settle for $1M-$14M; severe injury cases for $375K-multi-million
4. Individual Liability: Chapter officers can face personal liability (Pi Kappa Alpha president ordered to pay $6.5M personally in Foltz case)
5. Legislative Impact: Major cases drive state law reforms – Texas could see similar changes after current cases

Texas University Focus: Where Town of Avinger Students Attend

Understanding the Local Landscape for Cass County Families

Town of Avinger students typically attend universities across Texas, with particularly strong connections to:

Primary Universities for Town of Avinger Families:

• Texas A&M University (College Station) – Many East Texas students’ top choice
• University of Texas at Austin – Premier academic destination
• University of Houston – Urban campus attracting students from across Texas
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – Strong regional draw
• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches) – Close proximity option
• Various Texas A&M System schools (Commerce, Texarkana)

Local Judicial Considerations:

• Hazing cases involving Town of Avinger students may be filed in various counties depending on where the harm occurred
• Our firm handles cases statewide from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices
• Texas family courts have jurisdiction over certain aspects of student injury cases

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Town of Avinger Families

If you’re a parent in Town of Avinger, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine that tracks 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. Here are examples from public records:

Texas A&M University Area Organizations (IRS B83 Filings):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845
• GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION (EIN 880537463) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S STE 100, College Station, TX 77845
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY (EIN 814123811) – 1016 Fairview Ave, College Station, TX 77840
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC – THETA RHO CHAPTER (EIN 812525354) – 3989 N Graham Rd, College Station, TX 77845

University of Texas at Austin Area Organizations:

• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY – House Corporation (EIN 740555581) – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI (EIN 746047117) – 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC – ALPHA MU CHAPTER (EIN 741130606) – 1908 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705

University of Houston Area Organizations:

• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER (EIN 746084905) – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON NEW YORK CHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC (EIN 262710856) – 618 Rutland St, Houston, TX 77007
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER (EIN 392352450) – PO Box 540026, Houston, TX 77254

Honor Societies (Operating Statewide):

• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI – Texas A&M Chapter (EIN 900293166) – 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI – University of Texas at Tyler (EIN 352335400) – 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI – Texas Tech Health Sciences (EIN 820644459) – 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430

Metro-Level Greek Presence (Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 Greek organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 Greek organizations
• College Station-Bryan Metro: 42 Greek organizations

These organizations aren’t just social clubs – they’re legal entities with insurance, assets, and liability. When our firm takes a hazing case, we start with this data to identify every potentially responsible party.

University of Houston: Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Large urban campus with 47,000+ students
• 40+ fraternities and sororities across four councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, MGC)
• Mix of commuter and residential students
• Strong Greek life tradition despite urban setting

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting:

• Prohibits hazing on or off campus
• Bans forced consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, mental distress
• Reporting through Dean of Students, Conduct Office, UHPD
• Public hazing statement on UH website

The Current Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
Our firm represents Bermudez in this ongoing $10 million lawsuit. Key details:

• Hazing Period: Fall 2025 pledge semester
• Locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Specific Allegations:
  • “Pledge fanny pack” with condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices
  • Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks
  • Physical abuse: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
  • Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
  • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
  • Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
  • Another pledge hog-tied face-down for over an hour
• Medical Harm: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Defendants: UH, UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual members
• Institutional Response: Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

Previous UH Incidents:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto table during multi-day event with food/water/sleep deprivation
• Various disciplinary actions: Fraternities suspended for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts (Houston)
• Potential Defendants: Individuals, chapter, national, university, property owners
• Investigative Focus: Group chats, medical records, prior discipline files, national pattern evidence

What UH Parents from Town of Avinger Should Do:

1. Document everything immediately (screenshots, photos, medical records)
2. Report to UH Dean of Students AND Houston Police (not just campus police)
3. Preserve physical evidence (clothing, objects, receipts)
4. Contact experienced Houston hazing attorneys who know UH’s specific landscape
5. Do not sign anything from UH or insurance companies without legal review

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life Intersection

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• 74,000+ students in College Station
• 60+ fraternities and sororities
• Corps of Cadets (2,500+ members) with military-style tradition
• Strong Greek-Corps overlap

Texas A&M Hazing Policy:

• Zero tolerance policy
• Prohibits “any activity that causes embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule”
• Reporting through Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, University Police
• Separate Corps regulations with additional restrictions

Documented A&M Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

• Two pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years
• Town of Avinger Relevance: SAE has active chapters at A&M – same national organization

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023):

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• A&M stated it handled matter under its rules
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Many East Texas students join Corps

Other A&M Hazing History:

• Kappa Sigma (2023): Ongoing litigation involving rhabdomyosis from extreme physical hazing
• Various fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing, forced exercise

How an A&M Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts
• Unique Factors: Corps military culture, strong alumni networks, university tradition defenses
• Investigative Challenges: Code of silence, tradition justifications, institutional protection

What A&M Parents from Town of Avinger Should Do:

1. Understand the Corps-Greek overlap if your child is in either
2. Document Corps-specific hazing (military-style punishments, tradition abuse)
3. Report to both Student Conduct AND Corps leadership if applicable
4. Be prepared for “tradition” defenses
5. Contact attorneys familiar with A&M’s unique culture

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Repeated Violations

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• 52,000+ students
• 60+ fraternities and sororities
• Public hazing violations page (unusual transparency)
• Strong Greek life with historical traditions

UT Austin Hazing Policy:

• Prohibits hazing defined by Texas Education Code
• Requires reporting within 24 hours of awareness
• Public violations list at hazing.utexas.edu
• Anonymous reporting through STOP line

UT Austin Public Hazing Violations (Examples):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023):

• New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Found to be hazing
• Sanctions: Probation, required hazing-prevention education
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Same national organization with fatal history

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024):

• Australian exchange student alleged assault at party
• Injuries: dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Student sued for over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group):

• Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
• Part of pattern with spirit groups

Other UT Organizations Sanctioned:

• Various fraternities for alcohol hazing
• Spirit groups for punishment-based practices
• Athletic clubs for physical humiliation

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts (Austin)
• Advantage: Public violations database provides pattern evidence
• Investigative Focus: Prior violations showing university knowledge, national pattern evidence

What UT Austin Parents from Town of Avinger Should Do:

1. Check hazing.utexas.edu for organization’s violation history
2. Document using UT’s public records as evidence of pattern
3. Report through multiple channels (Dean, UTPD, anonymous line)
4. Use UT’s transparency as leverage in negotiations
5. Contact attorneys who know how to use UT’s public data effectively

Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• 12,000+ students in Dallas
• 16+ fraternities and sororities
• Private university with affluent student body
• Strong Greek life tradition

SMU Hazing Policy:

• Prohibits hazing per Texas law
• Anonymous reporting through Real Response system
• Conduct process through Student Affairs
• Less transparency than public schools

SMU Documented Incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017):

• New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep
• Chapter suspended
• Recruiting restrictions until 2021
• Town of Avinger Relevance: KA has chapters statewide

Other SMU History:

• Various fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing
• Limited public information due to private status

How an SMU Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts
• Challenge: Less public data than state schools
• Strategy: Compel discovery of internal reports, use national pattern evidence

What SMU Parents from Town of Avinger Should Do:

1. Understand private school means less public information
2. Use anonymous reporting systems but document everything yourself
3. Be prepared for confidentiality arguments
4. Demand internal investigation records through legal discovery
5. Contact attorneys experienced with private university tactics

Baylor University: Religious Identity & Historical Scrutiny

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• 20,000+ students in Waco
• 18+ fraternities and sororities
• Religious affiliation with honor code
• History of football/Title IX scrutiny

Baylor Hazing Policy:

• Prohibits hazing as violation of Christian principles
• Reporting through Student Conduct
• Honor code implications
• Less public data than state schools

Baylor Documented Incidents:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):

• 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Suspensions staggered over early season
• Details not fully public

Other Baylor History:

• Various Greek organization sanctions
• Context of broader institutional accountability issues

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts (Waco)
• Considerations: Religious defense arguments, honor code complications
• Strategy: Separate religious rhetoric from legal liability

What Baylor Parents from Town of Avinger Should Do:

1. Don’t be deterred by religious branding
2. Document honor code violations as additional evidence
3. Report through multiple channels
4. Be prepared for “Christian community” defenses
5. Contact attorneys who’ve handled Baylor cases before

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Campuses

Why National Histories Matter for Town of Avinger Families

When your child joins a chapter at UT Austin or Texas A&M, they’re not just joining a local club. They’re joining a national organization with a documented history of hazing incidents across the country. This history matters legally because it shows:

1. Foreseeability: Nationals knew or should have known the risks
2. Pattern Evidence: Same rituals cause harm repeatedly
3. Inadequate Prevention: Prior incidents show policies weren’t working
4. Punitive Damages Basis: Repeated disregard for safety

National Organization Patterns (Texas Campuses Where They Operate)

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”) – History of Alcohol Deaths

• National History: Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021 – $10M settlement), David Bogenberger (NIU 2012 – $14M settlement)
• Texas Campuses: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor
• Texas Incidents: UT Austin 2023 violation (milk/calisthenics), prior UH incident (lacerated spleen)
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Your child at UT or A&M is joining same organization with fatal history

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (“SAE”) – Most Hazing Deaths Nationally

• National History: Multiple hazing deaths; eliminated pledge system in 2014 due to pattern
• Texas Campuses: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, Texas Tech
• Texas Incidents: A&M chemical burns case (2021), UT Austin assault case (2024)
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Active at major schools your children attend

Pi Kappa Phi – Current UH Litigation

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU 2017), current UH case our firm is litigating
• Texas Campuses: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
• Texas Incidents: Current UH case with rhabdomyolysis/kidney failure
• Town of Avinger Relevance: We’re actively litigating against them right now

Phi Delta Theta – Drinking Game Death

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU 2017 – led to felony hazing law)
• Texas Campuses: UT Austin, Texas A&M
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Same “Bible study” drinking game risks at Texas schools

Beta Theta Pi – Delayed Medical Care Pattern

• National History: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State 2017 – delayed care captured on video)
• Texas Campuses: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU
• Town of Avinger Relevance: Same culture of delaying 911 calls

How National Histories Strengthen Texas Cases

When we represent Town of Avinger families, we use national pattern evidence to show:

1. Nationals Had Notice: Prior incidents nationwide put them on notice of risks
2. Inadequate Response: Their “anti-hazing” policies didn’t prevent repeat incidents
3. Punitive Damages: Repeated disregard for safety justifies punishment
4. Insurance Coverage: Pattern shows negligence, not just “rogue individuals”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy for Town of Avinger Families

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing cases are won or lost on digital evidence. For Town of Avinger parents, here’s what matters:

1. Group Communications (Most Critical Evidence):

• GroupMe: Primary fraternity/sorority communication platform
• WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram: Encrypted apps gaining popularity
• iMessage/SMS Group Texts: Often used for smaller groups
• Discord/Slack: For chapter business communications
• Fraternity-Specific Apps: Organization-branded platforms

What to Preserve Immediately:

• Screenshot entire threads (with timestamps and sender info)
• Capture before/after context (not just incriminating lines)
• Use screen recording for disappearing messages (Snapchat, Instagram vanish mode)
• DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD DELETE ANYTHING

2. Social Media Evidence:

• Instagram Stories showing events/injuries
• Snapchat memories (often saved longer than 24 hours)
• TikTok videos of “challenges” or rituals
• Facebook/Instagram posts with location tags
• Hashtags referencing pledging (#pledgelife, #bidnight)

3. Photo & Video Evidence:

• Injuries: Multiple angles, include ruler/coin for scale, document progression over days
• Locations: House exteriors, room interiors, alcohol setups, props
• Events: Videos of rituals, even if filmed vertically on phones

4. Medical Documentation:

• ER records with hazing context included
• Lab results (alcohol levels, kidney function, toxicology)
• Imaging reports (X-rays for fractures, CT for head injuries)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression diagnoses)
• Crucial: Tell medical providers “This was from hazing” for documentation

5. Physical Evidence:

• Clothing with stains/damage
• Paddles, props, costumes
• Receipts for forced purchases
• “Pledge manuals” or instruction sheets

6. Witness Information:

• Other pledges’ contact information
• Roommates who noticed changes
• Former members who quit
• Emergency responders (EMTs, hospital staff)

Damages: What Town of Avinger Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical Expenses

• Past medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery)
• Future medical needs (ongoing therapy, medications, future surgeries)
• Life care plans for catastrophic injuries (like Danny Santulli’s $20M+ lifetime care needs)

Lost Income & Earning Capacity:

• Lost wages (for victim or parent providing care)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished future earning capacity (permanent disability reducing lifetime earnings)

Other Economic Losses:

• Property damage (phone, clothing, other items)
• Relocation costs (transferring schools)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective But Real Harm):

Physical Pain & Suffering

• Pain from injuries
• Ongoing pain from permanent conditions
• Loss of physical abilities

Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm:

• PTSD diagnosis and treatment
• Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
• Humiliation, shame, loss of dignity
• Nightmares, flashbacks, fear

Loss of Enjoyment of Life:

• Can’t participate in former activities
• Withdrawal from college experience
• Relationship damage

Reputational Harm: