Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Buckholts Families

Your Child’s Safety at Texas Campuses: What Every Buckholts Parent Needs to Know About Hazing

It starts with excitement—the acceptance letter, the move to campus, the new friends. For many families in Buckholts and across Milam County, sending a child to a Texas university represents pride, opportunity, and tradition. But sometimes, that excitement turns to dread when the phone rings late at night. Your student sounds exhausted, stressed, secretive. They mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until 3 AM. They come home with unexplained bruises or seem emotionally withdrawn. You ask questions, but they deflect: “It’s just pledging, Mom. Everyone goes through it.”

What you’re sensing might be more than typical college stress. It might be hazing—systematic abuse disguised as tradition, happening right now at campuses where Buckholts students enroll. And the consequences can be catastrophic, as we’re seeing firsthand in one of the most serious hazing cases in recent Texas history.

Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members. According to November 2025 media reports, Bermudez suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing that included forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, hours of extreme workouts, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” His urine turned brown, he required four days of hospitalization, and he faces potential permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended and then voted to surrender its charter, with UH calling the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This isn’t happening in some distant state—it’s happening at a Texas university where students from Buckholts and surrounding communities enroll. And it shows why every Texas parent needs to understand what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law addresses it, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to protect students.

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.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Buckholts who might be unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, it’s crucial to understand that hazing has evolved far beyond the “harmless pranks” of movies. Today’s hazing is systematic, often digitally coordinated, and hidden behind layers of secrecy.

The Modern Definition: Power, Coercion, and Tradition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The key elements that Buckholts families should recognize:

• It’s not “voluntary” when there’s peer pressure: When the choice is “participate or be excluded,” “agree or lose your chance,” that’s coercion, not consent.
• It happens across all types of organizations: While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs in athletic teams, marching bands, spirit groups, academic clubs, and military-style organizations like Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets.
• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing occurs in chapter houses, off-campus apartments, remote retreats, and even online.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges consume handles of liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking. In the Bermudez case at UH, forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns allegedly led to vomiting and immediate sprints. The medical consequences can be catastrophic—alcohol poisoning, aspiration, traumatic brain injury from falls, or organ damage.

2. Physical Hazing
This includes paddling (still occurring despite national bans), extreme calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme conditions. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case allegedly included cold-weather workouts in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that left Bermudez unable to stand without help.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These cause profound psychological trauma and often involve digital documentation that spreads humiliation.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, forced confessions, public shaming in meetings, and manipulation designed to break down individual identity to build group loyalty.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest and fastest-evolving category includes group chat dares, social media challenges, forced compromising content creation, 24/7 availability demands via messaging apps, and geo-tracking requirements. Digital evidence—GroupMe chats, Instagram stories, Snapchat messages—often provides the clearest proof of hazing, which is why preservation is critical.

Where Buckholts Students Might Encounter Hazing

Buckholts families send students to universities across Texas, and hazing risks exist in multiple environments:

• Fraternities and Sororities: Including Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine), and multicultural Greek organizations
• Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading, with recent cases showing systemic issues even at elite programs
• Corps of Cadets/Military Programs: Texas A&M’s Corps has faced multiple hazing allegations
• Spirit and Tradition Groups: Organizations like Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, and marching bands
• Academic and Honor Societies: Even groups focused on academic achievement have reported hazing incidents

The common thread across all these environments? A culture that values tradition over safety, loyalty over accountability, and secrecy over transparency.

Texas Hazing Law: What Buckholts Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for families in Buckholts who may be dealing with a hazing situation. The law provides both criminal penalties and civil remedies.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Texas defines hazing in Education Code §37.151 as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

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

Key points for Buckholts families:

• Location doesn’t matter: On-campus, off-campus, at retreats—all covered
• “Consent is not a defense”: Texas law explicitly states this in §37.155
• Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse qualifies as hazing
• Recklessness is enough: They don’t need to have intended harm

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Texas hazing law provides escalating penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Additional criminal provisions:

• Failure to report: Members/officers who know of hazing and don’t report it commit a misdemeanor
• Retaliation against reporters: Also a misdemeanor
• Organizational liability: Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation

The Critical “Good Faith Reporter” Protection

Texas law (§37.154) provides immunity for those who report hazing in good faith. This is crucial because many students witness hazing but fear getting in trouble themselves. The law protects them if they report to:

• University officials
• Law enforcement
• Medical personnel in emergencies

Many Texas universities also have “amnesty” policies for alcohol-related emergencies, meaning students who call for help for someone in danger won’t face university discipline for underage drinking that might be discovered.

Civil Liability: The Courtroom Path to Accountability

While criminal cases are brought by the state, civil cases are brought by victims or their families seeking compensation and accountability. They’re completely separate proceedings, and you don’t need a criminal conviction to pursue civil justice.

Potential defendants in a civil hazing case include:

• Individual students who planned, participated in, or covered up hazing
• Chapter officers and pledgemasters
• The local chapter (if incorporated)
• The national fraternity/sorority organization
• The university or its governing board
• Property owners/landlords where hazing occurred
• Third parties like bars or alcohol providers

Legal theories in civil cases:

• Negligence and gross negligence
• Negligent supervision/training
• Premises liability
• Wrongful death (in fatal cases)
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Violations of Title IX (if hazing involves sexual harassment)

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat at Texas Campuses

The tragic cases that make national headlines aren’t isolated incidents—they’re patterns. And those same patterns occur at Texas universities where Buckholts students enroll. Understanding these patterns helps families recognize warning signs and understand what’s at stake.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Deadly “Traditions”

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance night, 19-year-old Piazza was given 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell multiple times (captured on chapter security cameras), and fraternity members delayed calling for help for 12 hours. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Gruver died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where pledges drank when answering questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was 0.495%. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz died after being forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU). The chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

What Buckholts families should understand: These weren’t random parties gone wrong. They were formulaic events repeated across chapters nationally. When you hear about “Big/Little night,” “bid acceptance parties,” or “family tree” drinking games at your child’s university, these are the scripts that have killed students.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Patterns

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng died from traumatic brain injury after being blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat. Members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare case of organizational criminal liability.

Pattern significance: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability. When organizations move hazing to remote locations to avoid detection, they often increase the danger while still facing full legal consequences.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements. The case showed that hazing permeates big-money athletic programs with the same cover-up culture as Greek organizations.

Takeaway for Buckholts families: If your child is an athlete, don’t assume athletic departments are immune to hazing. The same power dynamics and tradition excuses exist in sports as in fraternities.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Students

These national cases establish crucial precedents that apply in Texas courts:

1. Pattern evidence matters: When a fraternity repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed someone elsewhere, that shows foreseeability
2. Organizational liability is real: Nationals can’t hide behind “rogue chapter” defenses when patterns repeat
3. Cover-ups increase liability: Delaying medical care, destroying evidence, coaching witnesses—all make cases worse for defendants
4. Universities face consequences: Schools that ignore warning signs or handle cases internally face massive settlements

Texas University Spotlight: Where Buckholts Students Enroll

Buckholts families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific hazing landscape at each campus helps parents recognize risks and know where to turn for help.

University of Houston: Urban Campus, Systemic Challenges

For Buckholts families: UH is accessible to Central Texas students seeking an urban university experience. Its hazing incidents demonstrate patterns seen nationwide.

Current Active Litigation – Leonel Bermudez Case:
Our firm currently represents Leonel Bermudez in his lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi. The allegations, as reported by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline in November 2025, include:

• “Pledge fanny pack” requirements with humiliating contents
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Extreme workouts including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats
• Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure requiring hospitalization

The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter November 14, 2025. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

UH’s Hazing Policy and Reporting:
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, with reporting through the Dean of Students Office, Office of Student Conduct, and UHPD. The university maintains disciplinary records that can be crucial in civil cases.

Previous UH Incidents:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed on a table during initiation; chapter faced misdemeanor charges
• Multiple fraternities have faced suspension for alcohol-related hazing and policy violations

What Buckholts Families Should Know About UH Cases:

• Jurisdiction may involve UHPD, Houston Police Department, or Harris County Sheriff
• Civil cases typically filed in Harris County courts
• UH as a public university has some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence
• Evidence preservation is critical—GroupMe chats between Houston and Buckholts students, social media posts, medical records

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Buckholts families: Many Central Texas students choose A&M for its tradition, Corps of Cadets, and strong academic programs. Both Greek life and the Corps have faced serious hazing allegations.

Corps of Cadets Hazing Cases:

• 2023 Lawsuit: Cadet alleged being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth, simulated sexual acts, and other degrading hazing. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.
• Historical pattern of physical hazing within Corps traditions

Fraternity Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended; lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Multiple Greek organizations have faced suspension for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and policy violations

A&M’s Hazing Framework:

• Separate policies for Greek life (through Student Activities) and Corps (through Commandant’s Office)
• Reporting through Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, or University Police Department
• Public transparency varies—some disciplinary actions are public, others handled internally

Practical Guidance for Buckholts Families with A&M Students:

1. Corps-specific concerns: Understand that Corps hazing often involves physical endurance, sleep deprivation, and psychological pressure
2. Evidence preservation: Corps activities may involve fewer digital records but witness testimony is crucial
3. Jurisdiction: Cases may involve University Police, Brazos County Sheriff, or College Station PD
4. Dual systems: Corps members in fraternities face risks from both systems

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Buckholts families: UT Austin attracts Central Texas students with its academic reputation and Austin location. The university’s public hazing violations database provides unusual transparency.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Database:
UT maintains a public list at hazing.utexas.edu showing organizations, violation dates, conduct, and sanctions. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with required hazing prevention education
• Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple fraternities and sororities with probation for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, or policy violations

Notable UT Cases:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose; sued for over $1 million
• Sigma Chi (2020): Pledge hospitalized with alcohol poisoning from hazing; lawsuit settled August 2021

UT’s Reporting and Response System:

• Multiple reporting channels: Office of the Dean of Students, UTPD, online anonymous reporting
• Generally more transparent than peer institutions
• Prior violations on public database strengthen civil cases by showing pattern and knowledge

For Buckholts Families: UT-Specific Advice

1. Check the database: Before your child joins an organization, review UT’s public violations list
2. Document patterns: Multiple violations against same organization show systematic issues
3. Jurisdiction: Cases may involve UTPD, Austin Police, or Travis County courts
4. Use transparency: UT’s public records can be obtained through open records requests to build cases

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

For Buckholts families: SMU attracts students with its private university experience and Dallas location. As a private institution, SMU has different transparency requirements than public universities.

SMU Hazing Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
• Multiple Greek organizations have faced disciplinary action for alcohol hazing, though details are less public than at state schools

SMU’s Approach:

• Hazing prevention through Office of Student Affairs and Greek Life Office
• Anonymous reporting via systems like Real Response
• As a private university, less public disclosure of disciplinary actions
• Civil cases may face different legal standards regarding university liability

Considerations for Buckholts Families:

1. Less public information: May need to pursue discovery in litigation to obtain internal documents
2. Dallas jurisdiction: Cases typically in Dallas County courts
3. Private school dynamics: Different relationship between university and students than at public institutions

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Systemic Challenges

For Buckholts families: Baylor’s religious identity and Waco location attract many Texas students. The university’s history with institutional response to misconduct informs its hazing approach.

Baylor Hazing Incidents:

• Baseball team (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Multiple Greek organizations have faced disciplinary action, though details often remain internal

Baylor’s Context:

• Operating after major Title IX/football scandal, with increased scrutiny of institutional response
• Religious identity influences both organizational culture and disciplinary approach
• Less public transparency than UT but more than some private peers

Guidance for Buckholts Families:

1. Understand the context: Baylor’s recent history affects how it handles misconduct reports
2. McLennan County jurisdiction: Cases typically in Waco courts
3. Evidence preservation: Critical given potential institutional reluctance

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Why Patterns Matter for Buckholts Families

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a campus chapter—they’re joining a national organization with a history that spans decades and continents. That history matters legally when hazing occurs.

The National Organization Liability Framework

National fraternities and sororities aren’t passive observers. They:

• Collect dues from local chapters
• Provide policies, training, and ritual materials
• Maintain risk management programs
• Have authority to suspend or revoke charters
• Keep records of prior incidents across all chapters

When a hazing incident occurs, plaintiffs can argue the national organization:

1. Knew or should have known about the risk based on prior incidents
2. Failed to adequately supervise or enforce its own policies
3. Benefited financially from the chapter’s continued operation despite red flags
4. Provided inadequate training or actually taught methods to avoid detection

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”)

• Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021 – alcohol poisoning death, $10M settlement
• David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
• Multiple chapters suspended nationally for hazing violations
• Pattern: “Big/Little” nights with forced drinking, physical hazing traditions

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• Traumatic brain injury case: University of Alabama, 2023 – lawsuit alleging TBI from hazing
• Chemical burns case: Texas A&M,