Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Golinda Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

When Tradition Turns to Tragedy: What Every Golinda Family Needs to Know About Campus Hazing

Imagine receiving that midnight phone call every parent dreads. Your child, a student at a Texas university, is in the emergency room. The explanation is vague at first—”too much at a party,” “a rough initiation,” “just some tradition.” But as the story unfolds, you learn the truth: your son or daughter was forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, subjected to brutal physical punishment, or humiliated beyond imagination as part of joining a campus organization. For families in Golinda, Falls County, Texas—whether your child attends nearby schools like Baylor University in Waco or travels to major campuses like Texas A&M or the University of Texas—this nightmare scenario is not hypothetical. It’s happening right now in our state, and it requires immediate, informed action.

Right here in Texas, we’re currently fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders and members. The details are shocking: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and the horrifying medical consequence—rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure that left Bermudez hospitalized for four days and facing ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This case, covered extensively by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, represents exactly what we’re fighting against and demonstrates our active, serious hazing litigation capability.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Golinda and throughout Falls County who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, their legal rights under Texas law, and what steps to take if their child has been harmed. We’ll explore what hazing really looks like in 2025, examine Texas and federal laws, analyze patterns from national cases that directly inform Texas litigation, provide campus-specific intelligence for universities where Golinda students commonly attend, and explain how experienced legal counsel can help families pursue accountability and justice.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR GOLINDA FAMILIES FACING A HAZING CRISIS

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 Golinda Families Need to Recognize Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Golinda who may not be familiar with today’s campus culture, understanding modern hazing requires moving beyond outdated stereotypes of “harmless pranks” or “boys being boys.” Hazing in 2025 represents a sophisticated, often hidden system of coercion that endangers students physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

The Modern Definition: Coercion Disguised as Tradition

Hazing today is defined as any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in any campus organization, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially—and this is where many Golinda families are surprised—“I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe under Texas law. The power imbalance between established members and new recruits, combined with intense social pressure and fear of exclusion, creates an environment where true voluntary consent is often impossible.

Five Categories of Modern Hazing Affecting Texas Students

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form of hazing. Gone are the days of simple beer chugging; today’s rituals involve calculated psychological pressure and dangerous consumption. Examples include:

• “Lineup” drinking games where pledges must consume predetermined amounts at specific intervals
• “Big/Little” reveal nights where new members are given entire bottles of hard liquor to finish
• Theme-based drinking challenges like “Bible study” where incorrect answers mean forced shots
• Coerced consumption of unknown substances or dangerous combinations

The Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston exemplifies this pattern, where forced consumption of specific foods and liquids led directly to medical catastrophe.

2. Physical Hazing Beyond “Conditioning”
What organizations often frame as “physical fitness” or “team building” frequently crosses into dangerous territory:

• Extreme calisthenics like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats forced upon Bermudez
• “Smokings” or punishment workouts designed to exhaust rather than condition
• Paddling and beatings that leave visible injuries
• Sleep deprivation rituals with all-night “study sessions” or early morning wake-ups
• Environmental exposure in extreme cold or heat, often with inadequate clothing

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Some of the most psychologically damaging hazing involves sexual humiliation and degradation:

• Forced nudity or partial nudity during rituals
• Simulated sexual acts like “roasted pig” positions or “elephant walks”
• Degrading costumes and public humiliation
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
• The “pledge fanny pack” requirement from the UH case, containing condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items

4. Psychological Hazing and Coercion
The mental manipulation can be as damaging as physical abuse:

• Verbal abuse and systematic degradation during “interview” sessions
• Isolation from non-member friends and family
• Forced confessions and personal disclosure under pressure
• Social media shaming within private groups or public platforms
• Threat system where failure to comply means expulsion or social ostracism

5. Digital Hazing: The 24/7 Pressure Cooker
Smartphones have transformed hazing into a constant, inescapable experience:

• Group chat monitoring with required immediate responses at all hours
• Social media dares and challenges on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat
• Geo-tracking requirements via Find My Friends or similar apps
• Digital humiliation through forced posting of compromising content
• Evidence collection paradox where hazing is both documented and hidden through disappearing messages

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Row

Golinda families should understand that hazing extends far beyond traditional Greek life:

• Fraternities and sororities across all councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs with military-style traditions
• Athletic teams from football to cheerleading
• Spirit and tradition organizations like spirit squads or campus service groups
• Marching bands and performance ensembles
• Academic and honor societies
• Cultural and identity-based organizations

The common thread across all these groups is the toxic combination of social status, tradition claimed as justification, and enforced secrecy that keeps dangerous practices alive even when everyone knows they’re illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: Your Legal Framework for Protection and Accountability

For Golinda families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding Texas law is not just academic—it’s essential for protecting your child and holding responsible parties accountable. Texas has specific, robust hazing statutes that provide both criminal penalties and civil recourse for victims.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation of Hazing Law

Texas law defines hazing broadly and protectively. Under Section 37.151 of the Texas Education Code, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Implications for Golinda Families:

• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing occurring at off-campus houses, retreats, or private properties is still illegal
• Harm can be mental or physical: Psychological trauma qualifies alongside physical injury
• Intent standard includes recklessness: Defendants don’t need malicious intent—knowing disregard of risk is enough
• “Consent is not a defense”: Section 37.155 explicitly states that victim consent doesn’t legalize hazing

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Texas takes hazing seriously, with escalating penalties based on harm caused:

Class B Misdemeanor (Default)

• Hazing that doesn’t cause serious bodily injury
• Penalty: Up to 180 days in jail, fine up to $2,000

Class A Misdemeanor

• Hazing that causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment
• Penalty: Up to 1 year in jail, fine up to $4,000

State Jail Felony

• Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death
• Penalty: 180 days to 2 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000

Additional Criminal Provisions:

• Failure to report hazing by members or officers who knew: misdemeanor
• Retaliation against reporters: misdemeanor
• Organizational liability: organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

While criminal cases focus on punishment, civil lawsuits allow victims and families to seek compensation and institutional reform. Civil hazing cases in Texas typically involve:

1. Negligence Claims

• Failure to exercise reasonable care in supervision
• Creating or allowing dangerous conditions
• Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies

2. Gross Negligence Claims

• Conscious indifference to known risks
• Often necessary to overcome sovereign immunity for public universities

3. Wrongful Death Claims

• When hazing results in death
• Available to spouses, children, and parents under Texas law

4. Negligent Hiring/Training/Supervision

• Against national organizations that failed to properly train or supervise chapters
• Against universities that failed to monitor recognized organizations

5. Premises Liability

• Against property owners who allowed dangerous activities on their premises

6. Intentional Torts

• Assault, battery, false imprisonment
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal legislation requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention programs
• Maintain public hazing data (phased implementation through 2026)
• For Golinda families, this means eventually better access to campus hazing statistics

Title IX Implications
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility:

• Triggers university obligations under Title IX
• May provide additional legal avenues for redress
• Imposes specific investigation and response timelines

Clery Act Requirements

• Requires reporting of certain crimes and maintenance of safety statistics
• Hazing incidents involving assaults or alcohol/drug crimes may require Clery reporting
• Provides some transparency through annual security reports

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

Golinda families should understand the full spectrum of potential defendants:

Individual Students

• Those who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing
• Those who supplied alcohol or other substances
• Those who participated in cover-ups or intimidation

Local Chapter/Organization

• The campus chapter as a legal entity
• Chapter officers acting in official capacity
• Housing corporations that own chapter properties

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

• Organizations that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• Often carry significant insurance coverage

Universities and Governing Boards

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) under certain negligence theories
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) with fewer immunity protections
• Liability based on prior warnings, policy enforcement failures, deliberate indifference

Third Parties

• Landlords and property owners of event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws
• Security companies or event organizers
• Alumni advisors and house corporation boards

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons That Directly Inform Texas Litigation

The hazing case patterns established nationally provide critical precedents and strategies for Texas families. These cases demonstrate how courts view hazing liability, what damages are recoverable, and how institutions respond when held accountable.

Alcohol Poisoning and Death Pattern: The Most Common Tragedy

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

• What happened: Bid-acceptance night with forced drinking, Piazza consumed life-threatening amounts, suffered multiple falls captured on chapter cameras, help delayed for hours
• Legal outcome: Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, civil settlements, Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Texas relevance: Demonstrates how delayed medical response dramatically increases liability; security camera evidence crucial; national pattern evidence powerful

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

• What happened: “Big/Little” night where Foltz was forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey, died from alcohol poisoning
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions, $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Texas relevance: Shows universities can face significant financial liability; national organizations will settle substantial claims; individual chapter presidents can face personal liability (former president ordered to pay $6.5M personally)

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• What happened: “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking, Gruver’s BAC reached 0.495%
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute), $6.1M verdict against individual and insurer
• Texas relevance: Demonstrates legislative change follows public outrage; “drinking games” framed as tradition still constitute criminal hazing

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Pattern: Beyond Alcohol

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

• What happened: Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual, suffered fatal head injuries, help delayed
• Legal outcome: Multiple member convictions, national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Texas relevance: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability; national organizations can face criminal conviction; ritualized violence carries severe consequences

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

• What happened: “Pledge dad reveal” night with forced drinking, Santulli suffered severe permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal charges, settlements with 22 defendants including national fraternity
• Texas relevance: Non-fatal injuries can still result in catastrophic damages; multiple defendants can share liability; life care planning essential for brain injury cases

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• What happened: Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program over years
• Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination claim confidentially
• Texas relevance: Hazing extends to big-money athletic programs; coaches and staff can be liable; institutional cover-ups exacerbate liability

What These National Cases Mean for Golinda Families

1. Patterns are predictable: The same dangerous behaviors repeat across campuses and organizations
2. Cover-ups increase liability: Delayed medical response and evidence destruction dramatically worsen legal consequences
3. Multiple defendants are standard: Successful cases typically involve suing individuals, chapters, nationals, and universities
4. Substantial damages are recoverable: Verdicts and settlements regularly reach millions for serious injuries or deaths
5. Legislative change follows tragedy: Many states strengthened laws after high-profile cases
6. Transparency is increasing: Public reporting requirements are growing

Texas University Focus: Campus-Specific Intelligence for Golinda Families

Golinda students attend universities across Texas, each with its own Greek life culture, history of hazing incidents, and administrative response patterns. Understanding these campus-specific contexts is crucial for families navigating a hazing crisis.

Golinda’s University Connections: Where Local Students Attend

While Golinda itself is a small community in Falls County with a population under 600, local families send students to universities throughout Central Texas and beyond:

Primary University Connections for Golinda Families:

• Baylor University (Waco) – Approximately 40 miles from Golinda, making it one of the closest major universities
• Texas A&M University (College Station) – About 85 miles southeast
• University of Texas at Austin – Approximately 100 miles south
• Texas State University (San Marcos) – About 85 miles southwest
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton) – Approximately 50 miles southwest
• University of Houston – About 160 miles southeast
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – About 300 miles northwest

Local Community College Options:

• McLennan Community College (Waco) – Approximately 40 miles away
• Temple College – About 45 miles southwest
• Central Texas College (Killeen) – Approximately 55 miles southwest

University of Houston: Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Golinda Families
UH represents a large urban campus with a mix of commuter and residential students. While 160 miles from Golinda, many Central Texas students choose UH for its specific programs and urban opportunities. The campus hosts active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities across different councils.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
UH prohibits hazing both on and off-campus, with policies covering forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and psychological distress. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, Conduct and Community Standards, and UHPD. However, as the Bermudez case demonstrates, policies alone don’t prevent hazing.

The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Case Study in Systemic Failure
Our ongoing litigation reveals multiple system failures:

1. Multiple hazing locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
2. Escalating physical abuse: From forced dress codes and “pledge fanny packs” to extreme workouts causing rhabdomyolysis
3. Medical catastrophe: Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization, ongoing risk of permanent damage
4. Institutional response pattern: Chapter suspended November 6, 2025, then voted to surrender charter November 14, 2025
5. Defendant universe: 13 individual members, chapter housing corporation, national headquarters, UH, UH System Board of Regents

What Golinda Families Should Know About UH Cases:

• Jurisdiction: Cases may involve UHPD and/or Houston Police Department depending on location
• Court venue: Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts
• Evidence preservation critical: Digital evidence from GroupMe, texts, social media often key
• National organization liability: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters based in Charlotte, NC but subject to Texas jurisdiction

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Recurring Patterns

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Golinda Families
Located about 85 miles from Golinda, Texas A&M represents a common choice for local students seeking a large, tradition-rich university. The Corps of Cadets culture creates unique hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life.

Documented Incidents and University Response
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

• Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs
• Resulted in severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued for $1 million, fraternity suspended for two years
• Pattern evidence: Similar SAE incidents at other campuses nationally

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• University stated matter handled under Corps regulations

What Golinda Families Should Know About Texas A&M Cases:

• Dual systems: Both Greek life and Corps of Cadets require separate investigation approaches
• University town dynamics: College Station PD and university police coordination issues
• Tradition defense: “This is how it’s always been” frequently asserted but legally invalid
• Evidence challenges: Corps culture particularly emphasizes secrecy and loyalty

Baylor University: Proximity and Private University Complexities

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Golinda Families
At just 40 miles from Golinda, Baylor represents the closest major university for many local families. Its private Christian identity creates unique dynamics in hazing response and liability.

Documented Incidents and Institutional Patterns
Baseball Hazing Incident (2020):

• 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Suspensions staggered over early season
• Limited public disclosure typical of private universities

Greek Life Context:

• Active fraternity and sorority system within Christian framework
• National organizations with documented hazing histories present on campus
• Disconnect between Christian values and actual practices

What Golinda Families Should Know About Baylor Cases:

• Private university status: Fewer public records, more confidentiality agreements
• Religious context: May affect internal disciplinary processes
• Geographic proximity: Easier for Golinda families to visit campus, meet with administrators
• Legal strategy differences: Sovereign immunity not an issue but contractual relationships more complex

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Public Records

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Golinda Families
Though 100 miles from Golinda, UT Austin attracts many Central Texas students. Its public hazing violations page provides unusual transparency compared to other Texas universities.

Public Hazing Violations Database
UT maintains a searchable online database of hazing violations—a resource Golinda families should check if concerned about specific organizations:

Sample Violations (from public database):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter probation and required education
• Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Various violations including alcohol-related hazing
• Spirit organizations: Several sanctions for forced workouts and punishment-based practices

What Golinda Families Should Know About UT Cases:

• Transparency advantage: Public violation history helps establish pattern evidence
• Austin jurisdiction: Cases may involve UTPD and Austin Police Department
• Large Greek system: Over 60 fraternity/sorority chapters with varying risk profiles
• Prior violations as evidence: Documented history strengthens negligence claims against university

Southern Methodist University: Private Institution Dynamics

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Golinda Families
Though farther from Golinda (approximately 120 miles), SMU’s reputation and programs attract some local students. Its private status and affluent student body create distinct hazing dynamics.

Documented Incidents
Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):

• New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived
• Chapter suspended, recruiting restrictions through approximately 2021
• Limited public details typical of private university handling

What Golinda Families Should Know About SMU Cases:

• Private university procedures: Less transparent than public institutions
• Confidential settlements: More common in private university contexts
• Wealth and influence dynamics: May affect institutional response
• Legal strategy: Focus on contractual obligations and negligent supervision

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Organizational Landscape

For Golinda families, understanding that campus chapters are connected to larger organizational networks is crucial. We maintain what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations, their legal structures, and their connections across Texas. This data-driven approach allows us to identify all potentially liable entities in a hazing case.

IRS B83 Backbone: The Legal Entities Behind Greek Life

Our analysis of IRS records reveals 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), legal names, and mailing addresses. These entities include house corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies, and related organizations that may carry insurance or assets. For Golinda families, this means there are often multiple legal entities behind a simple fraternity or sorority name.

**Example Texas Greek