Fighting Hazing in Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

The crisp Indiana air hangs heavy with anticipation as a new academic year begins across our state’s esteemed campuses, from Bloomington to West Lafayette, South Bend to Muncie. For many Indiana families, this time marks a thrilling new chapter for their children, filled with academic pursuits, personal growth, and new friendships. Yet, beneath the surface of excitement, a darker, more insidious practice sometimes lurks: hazing.

Imagine your child, a bright-eyed Hoosier, eager to find their place, perhaps at Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University, or Ball State. They commit to a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or even a community service group. But what begins with promise soon descends into something far more sinister. They are pressured to drink until they vomit, perform degrading tasks, endure sleep deprivation, or face physical abuse, all under the guise of “bonding” or “tradition.” Others around them might chant, record on their phones, or simply stand by, afraid to intervene. Your child feels trapped, caught between a desire to belong and a profound sense of fear and humiliation.

This is not a hypothetical scenario from a distant state; it’s a stark reality that can unfold right here in Indiana. Whether your child is attending Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University, Ball State University, the University of Notre Dame, or one of our many other excellent institutions, hazing is a pervasive threat that touches students from all backgrounds.

This comprehensive guide is designed for families in Indiana—from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne, Evansville to Carmel, Gary to Bloomington—who need to understand the complex world of hazing. We will explore:

• What modern hazing truly looks like, beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The intricacies of Indiana’s anti-hazing laws and relevant federal statutes.
• How major national hazing cases set precedents that impact your rights here in Indiana.
• Specific insights into the Greek life, athletic, and organizational cultures at some of our state’s prominent universities.
• Your legal options and the critical steps to take if your child is affected by hazing.

At Attorney911, we believe that informed families are empowered families. This article provides general information, not specific legal advice. If hazing has impacted your family, we are ready to offer a confidential evaluation to discuss your unique circumstances and legal recourse. We serve families throughout Indiana, standing ready to fight for justice.

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 Indiana families, understanding modern hazing means shedding old misconceptions. Hazing isn’t just a nostalgic relic of “boys being boys” or innocent pranks. In 2025, it is a complex, often brutal, and sometimes fatal ritual that thrives on secrecy, power dynamics, and the deep-seated desire for belonging. It’s a spectrum of behaviors, ranging from subtle psychological manipulation to extreme physical violence.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

At its core, hazing refers to any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action connected to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status within a group. This includes fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, university clubs, and even academic or service organizations. The key elements are that the activity:

• Endangers the physical or mental health of a student;
• Humiliates, degrades, intimidates, or exploits them; and
• Occurs for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or continued membership.

It’s crucial to understand that a student’s “agreement” or “consent” to participate does not automatically make the activity lawful or safe, especially when there’s a clear power imbalance, intense peer pressure, or fear of exclusion. In Indiana, as in most states, the law recognizes that true consent cannot be given under duress.

Main Categories of Hazing

To truly grasp the scope of hazing in 2025, it’s helpful to break it down into its common forms:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is by far the most dangerous and frequently deadly form of hazing. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often excessive amounts in short periods, through activities like “lineups” where pledges are forced to chug drinks, drinking games that incentivize rapid consumption, or being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. Many deaths, both nationally and within Indiana’s neighboring states, have resulted from alcohol poisoning during such events.

• Physical Hazing: This category encompasses direct physical abuse or extreme physical demands. It can include paddling, beatings, or violent “games.” Additionally, it involves forced calisthenics or “workouts” that go far beyond healthy athletic conditioning (“smokings”), leading to exhaustion or injury. Sleep deprivation, often coupled with forced attendance at late-night events, or food and water deprivation, are common tactics. Exposure to extreme cold or heat, or being forced into dangerous environments, also falls under physical hazing.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Designed to degrade and strip individuals of their dignity, this type of hazing involves forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (like “elephant walks” or “roasted pig” poses), or other sexually suggestive acts. It also includes forcing pledges to wear embarrassing costumes, perform degrading public stunts, or participate in rituals with implied sexual connotations. Such acts may sometimes cross the line into sexual harassment or assault.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but deeply damaging, psychological hazing targets a student’s mental and emotional well-being. This includes verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, and social isolation (e.g., forcing new members to cut off contact with non-group friends). It can involve manipulation, forced confessions, or public shaming, often orchestrated through group chats or physical gatherings. The goal is to break down an individual’s self-esteem and foster absolute loyalty to the group.

• Digital/Online Hazing: A newer but rapidly growing form, digital hazing leverages technology to intimidate, control, and humiliate. This can involve demanding constant responses in group chats, subjecting pledges to humiliating online “challenges” or dares, or forcing them to post compromising images or videos on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. Members might also use digital channels to stalk or harass pledges who are attempting to leave the organization.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

A critical modern understanding is that hazing is not confined to one type of organization. While popular culture often spotlights fraternities, the reality is far broader:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek-letter organizations.
• Athletic Teams: Hazing occurs in varsity sports (football, basketball, soccer, swim teams), club sports, and even high school athletic programs.
• Military-Style Groups: Organizations like ROTC programs, Corps of Cadets, and military academies can have initiation rituals that cross into hazing.
• University Clubs and Organizations: Spirit squads, tradition groups, marching bands, performance groups, and even academic or community service clubs have sometimes been found to engage in hazing behavior.

The underlying drivers often remain the same: a desire to “earn” belonging, uphold perceived traditions, and create a strong sense of group identity, often at the expense of individual well-being. For Indiana students from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne, understanding these varied contexts is key to recognizing when “tradition” has gone too far.

Law & Liability Framework (Indiana + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Indiana is crucial for families. Our state has clear statutes prohibiting hazing, and these laws, combined with federal regulations and civil legal principles, provide avenues for accountability and justice when harm occurs.

Indiana Hazing Law Basics (Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2)

Indiana has specific laws prohibiting hazing, primarily found in Indiana Code Title 35, Article 42, Chapter 2, Section 2 (IC 35-42-2-2). This statute defines hazing and outlines the potential criminal penalties involved.

Key Definition: Under Indiana law, hazing is broadly defined as: “A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs an act of hazing commits a Class C misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (c).”

The statute makes clear that hazing involves conduct directed against a student to initiate, affiliate with, or maintain membership in any organization, and which endangers the physical health or safety of a student or causes damage to a student’s property.

Key Points from Indiana’s Statute:

• Scope: Applies to any organization associated with a high school, college, or other higher education institution in Indiana.
• Mental vs. Physical: Indiana’s definition explicitly includes acts that “endanger the physical health or safety of a student.” While mental harm can be a component, the primary legal focus is on physical safety or property damage.
• Reckless/Knowing/Intentional: This means the person committing the hazing doesn’t necessarily have to act with malicious intent. If they acted recklessly (disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk), that can be enough for a hazing conviction.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: Like in many states, if an act constitutes hazing under the law, it’s generally not a valid defense to argue that the student being hazed “consented” to the activity. The power imbalance inherent in hazing situations often negates true voluntariness.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Indiana:

• Class C Misdemeanor: The baseline penalty for committing an act of hazing. This can carry a sentence of up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
• Class B Misdemeanor (Elevated): If the hazing act results in serious bodily injury to the student, the offense becomes a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties for this level can include up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Organizational Sanctions: Beyond individual criminal penalties, Indiana law also allows for potential sanctions against the organizations themselves, including suspension or expulsion from the educational institution.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for Indiana families to understand the distinction between criminal prosecution and civil litigation:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the State of Indiana (through a local prosecutor) to punish individuals for breaking the law. The goal is to enforce public safety and deter future offenses. Potential outcomes include jail time, fines, or probation for the perpetrator. In hazing, criminal charges might range from hazing itself to more serious offenses like assault, battery, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even reckless homicide if a death occurs.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their families to seek monetary compensation for damages suffered due to hazing. The goal is to provide financial relief and hold responsible parties accountable. Civil lawsuits focus on legal theories like negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care), gross negligence (extreme disregard for safety), wrongful death, premises liability, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Unlike criminal cases, which require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” civil cases generally require a “preponderance of the evidence” (meaning it’s more likely than not that the defendant is responsible).

These two legal paths can run concurrently. A criminal charge or conviction is not required to pursue a civil claim for damages.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Beyond Indiana state law, federal regulations can also play a significant role in hazing cases:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This crucial federal legislation, passed in the wake of numerous hazing tragedies, mandates new responsibilities for colleges and universities that receive federal funding. By 2026, these institutions will be required to:
  • Annually report hazing incidents more transparently on their websites.
  • Implement stronger hazing education and prevention programs.
  • Maintain publicly accessible data on hazing violations and disciplinary actions. This increased transparency will help Indiana families make more informed decisions about campus safety.
• Title IX: This federal law prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based hostility, or targets students based on their gender identity, Title IX obligations are triggered. This can create a duty for the university to investigate and address the behavior, regardless of whether it also violates anti-hazing policies.
• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents can intersect with Clery in cases involving assault, battery, alcohol-related offenses, and related crimes, requiring institutions to report these incidents and maintain specific safety statistics.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

When hazing causes harm in Indiana, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility in a civil lawsuit:

• Individual Students: Those who actively planned, participated in, or carried out the hazing acts, or who supplied alcohol/drugs, can be held personally liable.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if it is a recognized legal entity, can be sued for its role in fostering or failing to prevent hazing within its ranks. Chapter officers, who are often in positions of authority, may also be held individually liable.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: For Greek-letter organizations, the national headquarters can be a key defendant. Liability often hinges on whether the national organization had knowledge of prior hazing incidents (either at the local chapter or other chapters nationwide), whether they adequately enforced their anti-hazing policies, and whether they were negligent in supervising their local chapters.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself (e.g., Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State University) may be sued. In Indiana, public universities often have some degree of sovereign immunity, which can limit liability. However, this immunity is not absolute and may be waived or overcome in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or certain federal civil rights violations (like Title IX). Private universities generally have fewer immunity protections. Claims against universities often center on negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or “deliberate indifference” to known hazing.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or property owners of off-campus houses or event venues where hazing occurred, or even bars/restaurants that unlawfully served alcohol to minors involved in hazing (under dram shop laws).

Every hazing case has its own unique set of facts, and the potential defendants vary. An experienced hazing attorney understands how to identify all parties who may be legally responsible.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When hazing impacts an Indiana family, it’s vital to recognize that these incidents rarely occur in isolation. They are often part of larger, foreseeable patterns, some of which have led to national tragedies and multi-million dollar legal battles. These “anchor stories” illustrate the severity of hazing, the legal consequences it can bring, and why awareness and accountability matter so much.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most pervasive and deadly form of hazing involves forced alcohol consumption. These cases highlight the devastating impact:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In a case that shocked the nation, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid-acceptance” big/little event involving extreme alcohol consumption. Security cameras captured his multiple falls, brain injuries, and brothers’ shocking delay in seeking medical help for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the powerful Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. Takeaway for Indiana: This case established a clear precedent for institutional negligence and the criminal accountability of individuals and the chapter when medical aid is delayed for even a “voluntary” participant. It underscores that extreme alcohol consumption isn’t harmless fun; it’s a deadly ritual.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): During a “Big Brother Night” event, pledge Andrew Coffey consumed a handle of hard liquor and died from acute alcohol poisoning. Criminal hazing charges followed for multiple members, and Florida State temporarily suspended all Greek life and overhauled its policies. Takeaway for Indiana: “Big/Little” events often become scripts for disaster due to forced or pressured, excessive alcohol intake. The repeated nature of these incidents, nationally and within organizations, demonstrates foreseeability that can bolster civil claims.

• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died after a “Bible study” drinking game where pledges were forced to chug drinks when answering questions incorrectly, severely intoxicated (BAC 0.495%). His death led to the passing of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, a felony hazing law. Takeaway for Indiana: This case highlights that hazing rituals can masquerade as innocuous “games” but still lead to fatal outcomes. Legislative change often follows public outrage fueled by tragedies like this.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Pledge Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey at a “Big/Little” event. Multiple criminal convictions followed, and the university reached a $3 million settlement with the family, while other settlements (including $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national) resulted in a total of nearly $10 million in damages. Takeaway for Indiana: This case demonstrates that serious financial accountability can extend to both national fraternities and universities, especially when there’s a pattern of prior identical incidents. It underscores the immense value of a life lost to hazing.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and psychologically brutal hazing rituals continue to cause severe harm:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng died from a traumatic brain injury suffered during a violent “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. He was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for an hour. This landmark case led to multiple criminal convictions, and the national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, subsequently banned from Pennsylvania for a decade. Takeaway for Indiana: Even off-campus “retreats” are not safe from scrutiny. This case shows how national organizations can be held criminally (not just civilly) liable for their chapters’ actions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life, as demonstrated by incidents in sports:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the prestigious Northwestern football program over many years. Multiple lawsuits against the university and coaching staff led to the firing of the longtime head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, who later settled his wrongful-termination suit confidentially. Takeaway for Indiana: This case serves as a powerful reminder that hazing can permeate any student organization, even highly visible and well-funded athletic teams, and that institutions face significant legal exposure if they fail to address a known hazing culture.

• Robert Champion – Florida A&M University Marching Band (2011): 26-year-old drum major Robert Champion died after a brutal hazing ritual involving severe physical beatings with instruments and fists on a band bus during “Crossing Bus C.” Multiple band members were convicted for their roles, and Florida A&M University was ultimately held fully liable for his death, agreeing to a $1 million settlement with the family. Takeaway for Indiana: This case underscores that hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities; it can infect seemingly innocuous groups like marching bands. Institutions have a duty to protect all their students from hazing practices.

What These Cases Mean for Indiana Families

These national tragedies reveal crucial patterns:

• Foreseeability: The repeated nature of specific types of hazing (forced alcohol, physical abuse) means that national organizations and universities often have “foreseeable” knowledge of the risks, strengthening claims of negligence.
• Delayed Medical Care & Cover-ups: A horrifying common thread is the delay in calling for help and attempts to conceal hazing. This not only escalates harm but also aggravates legal liability for all involved.
• Multi-Party Liability: In virtually all these high-profile cases, legal action targeted not just individual students, but also local chapters, national organizations, and the universities themselves.
• Financial Stakes: Settlements and verdicts regularly reach multi-million dollar figures, reflecting the immense value of lives lost or irrevocably changed, and the punitive desire to deter future misconduct.

For Indiana families dealing with hazing at a local university, understanding these national lessons is paramount. They demonstrate that accountability is possible, and experienced legal counsel can help navigate the complex path to justice.

Indiana Focus: Universities & Hazing

For families across Indiana, from Angola to Valparaiso, understanding the landscape of hazing at our local universities is critical. While hazing is explicitly prohibited by state law and institutional policies, its prevalence, reporting, and disciplinary response vary. Here, we delve into the context at some of Indiana’s largest and most visible four-year institutions.

5.1 Indiana University Bloomington (IU)

Indiana University Bloomington, the flagship campus of the IU system, is a vibrant community with a large, active Greek life system and numerous student organizations. For Indiana families, particularly those from Central Indiana, IU is a top choice, and its campus culture is deeply intertwined with its student groups.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Indiana Connection)

Located in the scenic hills of Southern Indiana, IU Bloomington is home to over 40,000 students. Its campus culture is rich with traditions, including a thriving Greek community that is one of the largest in the Midwest. Many students from around Indiana, including Indianapolis, Carmel, and Zionsville, aspire to attend IU, often with aspirations of joining a fraternity or sorority. This makes understanding the university’s stance and history regarding hazing especially relevant for local families. The campus also boasts numerous athletic teams, clubs, and service-oriented organizations, all of which are technically susceptible to hazing.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels at IU

Indiana University has a clear, no-tolerance hazing policy, enforced through its Office of Student Conduct. Their policy explicitly defines hazing, prohibits its practice on or off-campus, and outlines disciplinary actions for individuals and organizations found in violation.

• Definition: IU’s policy aligns closely with Indiana state law, prohibiting any action or situation that recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally endangers the physical health or safety, or mental health, of a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation.
• Reporting: IU provides various channels for reporting hazing, including the Dean of Students office, IU Police Department (IUPD), and an online reporting form. They promote a culture of reporting and typically emphasize prompt investigation.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses at IU

While specific detailed hazing cases are not always publicly available with the same transparency as some other institutions, IU has a history of disciplinary action related to hazing.

• 2001 Theta Chi Incident: An accidental rush death related to alcohol at Theta Chi at Indiana University in 2001 highlights the dangers of unregulated social activities, with alcohol being a contributing factor. Official records from this era suggest a complex understanding of what constituted hazing, but for modern purposes, events involving significant alcohol are clear hazing violations.
• Recurring Violations: Public records and news reports over the years have documented multiple Greek-letter organizations at IU being suspended or placed on probation for hazing violations, typically involving forced alcohol consumption, physical activities, and new member servitude.

5.1.4 How an IU Hazing Case Might Proceed (mention Indiana Jurisdiction/Logistics)

A hazing incident at IU Bloomington could involve various local and state law enforcement agencies. IUPD would typically handle on-campus incidents, while the Bloomington Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office would address off-campus events. Civil suits involving IU may fall under the jurisdiction of Monroe County courts, with potential for federal court if federal laws like Title IX are implicated. For an Indiana family from, say, Fort Wayne, pursuing a case means navigating these local Bloomington legal systems, though expert legal counsel can handle the geographical distance.

5.1.5 What IU Students & Parents Should Do

• Prioritize Safety: If you suspect hazing, immediately contact the IU Dean of Students Office or IUPD. For serious injury or threats, call 911.
• Document Everything: Collect screenshots of any texts, group chats, or social media posts related to the hazing. Photograph injuries, document dates, times, and locations of incidents.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Contact a lawyer experienced in Indiana hazing cases. They can help navigate IU’s internal disciplinary processes, explore civil legal options, and ensure evidence is preserved before it disappears.

5.2 Purdue University (West Lafayette)

Purdue University, a renowned public research institution in West Lafayette, also has a prominent Greek life scene, robust athletic programs, and numerous student organizations. Purdue’s focus on engineering and technology attracts students from across Indiana and beyond, many of whom engage deeply in campus community activities.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Indiana Connection)

Situated in West Lafayette, Purdue is a major draw for Indiana students interested in STEM fields, agriculture, and business. Its Greek system, while not as large as some, is active, with fraternities and sororities playing a significant social role. The school’s strong athletic programs and multitude of student clubs mean that hazing can potentially occur in a variety of contexts across campus, relevant to many rural and small-town Indiana families who send their children there.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels at Purdue

Purdue University maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that aligns with Indiana state law. Their policy emphasizes that hazing is illegal and explicitly prohibits any conduct that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes of new member initiation.

• Zero Tolerance: Purdue’s stance is unequivocal, stating that organizations and individuals involved in hazing will face severe university sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.
• Reporting: Students and parents can report hazing through the Office of the Dean of Students, Purdue University Police Department (PUPD), or anonymous online reporting tools.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses at Purdue

Purdue has also experienced hazing incidents, some dating back over a century, which underscore the persistent nature of this problem despite policy efforts.

• 1913 Class Hazing: In 1913, Francis W. Obenchain died during a traditional class scrap, a form of hazing then common between freshman and upperclassmen. While the direct cause was disputed, it highlights an early institutional awareness of hazing risks.
• Modern Cases: In recent decades, Purdue has suspended numerous fraternities and sororities for hazing violations, including forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, and physical abuse during new member education periods. These incidents often involved calls to 911 for medical emergencies, showing the severe consequences.

5.2.4 How a Purdue Hazing Case Might Proceed (mention Indiana Jurisdiction/Logistics)

Legal actions stemming from hazing at Purdue would typically involve the PUPD or West Lafayette Police Department, along with Tippecanoe County courts. Similar to IU, state sovereign immunity could apply to Purdue in civil cases, meaning plaintiffs would need to demonstrate gross negligence or other exceptions. Families from across Indiana sending their children to Purdue should be aware of these jurisdictional factors in the Lafayette area.

5.2.5 What Purdue Students & Parents Should Do

• Be Vigilant: Pay close attention to any changes in your child’s behavior, physical well-being, or academic performance.
• Understand Reporting: Familiarize yourself with Purdue’s reporting mechanisms and use them if you suspect hazing.
• Consult Legal Expertise: Given the complexities of university policies and state law, engaging a lawyer focusing on Indiana hazing cases can be invaluable for navigating the process and protecting your child’s rights.

5.3 Ball State University (Muncie)

Ball State University, located in East Central Indiana, is widely recognized for its strong programs in communication, education, and architecture. It fosters a vibrant student-focused environment, including a significant Greek-letter community and highly engaged athletic teams.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Indiana Connection)

Ball State serves a diverse student body from across Indiana, with a notable presence from cities like Anderson, Richmond, and suburban Indianapolis. The university offers a dynamic campus experience with a robust Greek system and numerous student organizations. These groups are integral to social life and identity for many students, making the issue of hazing particularly salient for families seeking a comprehensive and safe collegiate experience in our state.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels at Ball State

Ball State University maintains a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that is clearly articulated and enforced through its Office of Student Conduct. The policy strictly prohibits any practice or activity that:

• Endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student.
• Is performed for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for membership in an organization.
• Reporting: Ball State encourages reporting via the Dean of Students, the Ball State University Police Department (BSUPD), or using an anonymous online reporting form through its Office of Student Rights and Community Standards.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses at Ball State

Ball State has actively responded to hazing violations, often resulting in significant organizational and individual accountability:

• Recent Suspensions: Over the past decade, Ball State has suspended numerous fraternities and sororities for hazing violations. Typical incidents include forced alcohol consumption, physical exhaustion, degrading activities, and sleep deprivation during “secret” new member programs.
• Transparency: Like other major Indiana universities, Ball State investigates diligently, and its policy outlines potential sanctions ranging from probation and educational requirements to suspension or expulsion for organizations and individuals.

5.3.4 How a Ball State Hazing Case Might Proceed (mention Indiana Jurisdiction/Logistics)

Legal proceedings for hazing at Ball State could involve the BSUPD or the Muncie Police Department, along with Delaware County courts. As a public institution, Ball State would also have sovereign immunity considerations in any civil action, similar to IU and Purdue. Families in Indiana should ensure prompt attention to any incidents, understanding the specific legal and institutional protocols in the Muncie area.

5.3.5 What Ball State Students & Parents Should Do

• Seek Support: If hazing is suspected, contact the Ball State Dean of Students. If there’s a medical emergency, call 911.
• Document Evidence: Preserve all communication (texts, social media, emails), photos, and notes related to hazing activities.
• Legal Review: An attorney specialized in hazing law in Indiana can review your options, explain Ball State’s disciplinary process, and advise on pursuing a civil claim if appropriate.

5.4 University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame, a prestigious private Catholic university near South Bend, is known for its strong academic programs, deep traditions, and enthusiastic alumni network. While not having a traditional Greek-letter system, hazing can still occur within its numerous clubs, dorms, and athletic programs.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Indiana Connection)

Notre Dame attracts students nationally and internationally, but it remains a significant institution for Indiana families, particularly in Northern Indiana and the South Bend area. Its unique residential life system, with single-sex dorms forming powerful communities, and its competitive athletic programs, can create environments where hazing, though broadly prohibited, may exist in more subtle or unexpected forms compared to other universities.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels at Notre Dame

Notre Dame takes a firm stance against hazing, prohibiting it in all forms within any recognized or unrecognized student group, athletic team, or residential hall. Their policy emphasizes the dignity of the individual and the university’s Catholic values.

• Definition: Notre Dame’s policy covers a broad range of behaviors, including physical, emotional, and social abuse, forced consumption, and any activity that could be perceived as demeaning or dangerous.
• Reporting: Incidents can be reported through the Office of Community Standards, Campus Safety, the Residential Life staff (Rectors), or anonymous reporting options.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses at Notre Dame

While Notre Dame does not have Greek fraternities or sororities in the traditional sense, incidents involving hazing or inappropriate initiation rituals have occurred:

• Club/Athletic Hazing: Notre Dame has disciplined athletic teams and student clubs for hazing incidents, typically involving forced excessive exercise, calisthenics, or degrading rituals for new members. These often result in suspensions for individuals and organizations.
• Residential Life: Given the unique dorm culture, occasional incidents involving “initiation-like” activities within dorm communities have been investigated and addressed by the university. These incidents generally do not involve alcohol, but may involve sleep deprivation or physical duress.

5.4.4 How a Notre Dame Hazing Case Might Proceed (mention Indiana Jurisdiction/Logistics)

As a private institution, Notre Dame would not have sovereign immunity, potentially allowing greater flexibility in civil lawsuits compared to public universities. Cases would typically proceed through St. Joseph County courts, involving the Notre Dame Police Department or local South Bend law enforcement. For families from across Indiana drawn to Notre Dame’s prestige, understanding these legal distinctions is important.

5.4.5 What Notre Dame Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand Non-Greek Hazing: Be aware that hazing takes diverse forms and can occur within any campus group, even without a formal Greek system.
• Use Internal Resources: Report concerns promptly to the Office of Community Standards or Residential Life staff.
• Consider Legal Options: Consult with an Indiana hazing attorney to understand your rights, especially if serious harm has occurred.

5.5 University of Indianapolis (UIndy)

The University of Indianapolis is a private university located just south of downtown Indianapolis. It offers a close-knit community with a mix of academic, athletic, and social organizations, including a Greek life presence.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Indiana Connection)

As a private institution in Indiana’s largest city, UIndy attracts many students from the Indianapolis metropolitan area and throughout Central Indiana. It provides a smaller, more intimate university experience compared to the larger state schools, but still fosters an active extracurricular environment that includes fraternities, sororities, and competitive sports teams. The urban setting adds a unique dynamic to its student life and the potential for off-campus organizational activities.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels at UIndy

The University of Indianapolis strictly prohibits hazing, articulating a clear policy through its Office of Student Affairs. Their regulations specify that hazing includes any activity expected of members of an organization, or individuals seeking to become members, that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.

• Broad Definition: UIndy’s policy encompasses a wide range of behaviors beyond physical harm, targeting psychological and emotional forms of hazing.
• Reporting: The university encourages reporting through the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Police, or an online incident report form that allows for anonymous submissions.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses at UIndy

Like many institutions, UIndy has faced and addressed hazing incidents within its student organizations:

• Recent Disciplinary Actions: UIndy has taken disciplinary action against various fraternities and sororities for hazing violations over the years. These typically involve forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, or demeaning tasks during initiation or new member education periods. Sanctions have ranged from probation and educational requirements to suspension of organizational recognition.

5.5.4 How a UIndy Hazing Case Might Proceed (mention Indiana Jurisdiction/Logistics)

As a private university, UIndy does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it potentially more straightforward to pursue civil litigation against the institution directly. Cases would typically proceed through Marion County courts, and involve the UIndy Campus Police or the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) for criminal investigations. For families local to Indianapolis, this localized judicial process would be directly relevant.

5.5.5 What UIndy Students & Parents Should Do

• Be Informed: Understand UIndy’s specific definitions and channels for reporting hazing.
• Document Thoroughly: Due to potential legal action, precise documentation of all incidents and evidence is critical.
• Engage Legal Counsel: An Indiana hazing attorney can help assess the situation, guide through a university investigation, and explore civil claims against the university or involved individuals.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories & Indiana Chapters

When hazing disrupts an Indiana student’s life, it’s natural for families to focus on the local chapter where the harm occurred. However, a deeper understanding of the national fraternities and sororities reveals critical patterns: these are often large, interconnected organizations with extensive histories, including repeated hazing incidents across many campuses. This history can be a crucial factor in building a legal case. For families in Indiana, especially those connected to universities like IU, Purdue, Ball State, Notre Dame, and the University of Indianapolis, recognizing these national patterns provides essential context.

Why National Histories Matter

Most Greek-letter organizations at Indiana universities are local chapters of a larger national or international fraternity or sorority. These national bodies often have:

• Extensive Anti-Hazing Policies: They typically spend significant resources developing policies and educational programs condemning hazing, largely because they have faced deaths and catastrophic injuries in the past.
• Knowledge of Common Hazing Practices: National HQs are acutely aware of common hazing scripts—forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, degrading rituals—because these patterns tend to repeat across different local chapters.
• Foreseeability: When a local chapter in Indiana repeats a hazing practice that has caused harm or led to discipline at another chapter in Texas, Florida, or Pennsylvania, it strengthens the argument that the national organization should have foreseen the potential for harm and taken more assertive action. This “foreseeability” is a cornerstone of negligence claims.

This means that even if a local Indiana chapter claims an incident was an isolated event, their national organization often has a long record of similar misconduct.

Organization Mapping: Connecting Indiana Chapters to National Patterns

Indiana campuses host chapters of many national Greek-letter organizations. For some of these organizations, there’s a well-documented national history of hazing. We want families in Indiana to understand this broader context.

Here, we will discuss some significant national organizations that commonly have chapters at Indiana universities and highlight their national hazing histories. Please note: While we discuss national patterns of hazing, this does NOT imply that every local chapter in Indiana has engaged in such behavior. We are NOT alleging that specific Indiana chapters have engaged in hazing unless explicitly documented in state or national reports. However, parents should be aware of the national organization’s history when their child pledges any chapter.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• Identity: A prominent national fraternity with chapters frequently found at large public universities.
• National Hazing History: Pi Kappa Alpha has a particularly tragic national hazing history heavily linked to alcohol-related deaths.
  • Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pledge Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey at a “Big/Little” event. This led to multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement, with $7 million coming from the Pi Kappa Alpha national organization.
  • David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University (2012): Pledge David Bogenberger died of alcohol poisoning during a fraternity event. His family was awarded a $14 million settlement.
  • Purdue University (2001): Pi Kappa Alpha at Purdue was suspended for hazing related to alcohol consumption, demonstrating local chapters were also involved in such patterns.
• Significance for Indiana: Chapters of Pi Kappa Alpha have existed at Indiana universities, and knowledge of its national pattern of alcohol-related hazing, particularly during “Big/Little” events, is crucial for assessing potential risks.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• Identity: One of the largest national fraternities, present on campuses across the country, often with a large social footprint.
• National Hazing History: Sigma Alpha Epsilon has faced numerous hazing-related deaths and severe injuries, earning it the moniker “America’s deadliest fraternity” by some media outlets. In response, the national organization famously (though not always effectively) banned pledging in 2014.
  • Noah Domingo – University of California, Irvine (2019): Died of alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother Night” event.
  • Carson Starkey – Cal Poly, California (2008): Died from alcohol poisoning during a hazing ritual. His family later founded the Aware Awake Alive non-profit.
  • Texas A&M University (2021): Two pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns after industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit were poured on them during a hazing ritual, leading to a lawsuit against the fraternity.
• Significance for Indiana: With SAE chapters at some Indiana institutions, understanding the national organization’s documented history of severe hazing, including alcohol abuse and physical degradation, is essential for Indiana families.

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• Identity: Another prominent national fraternity with a strong presence at many universities.
• National Hazing History: Phi Delta Theta has been involved in several high-profile hazing deaths:
  • Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after being forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law in Louisiana.
  • Pledge Death – University of Missouri (2021): Danny Santulli sustained severe, permanent brain damage from forced alcohol consumption at a “pledge dad reveal” event, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements.
• Significance for Indiana: Chapters of Phi Delta Theta exist at our state’s universities, meaning that families choosing this fraternity should be aware of the extreme alcohol-related hazing patterns seen nationally.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• Identity: A national fraternity with a commitment to philanthropy and leadership.
• National Hazing History: Pi Kappa Phi has unfortunately been linked to fatal hazing incidents:
  • Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event.
  • Adrian Heideman – Chico State University (2000): Died after excessive drinking during alcohol-infused hazing.
  • University of Houston (2025): Attorney911 is currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) and the University of Houston for severe hazing including forced physical exertion, degrading rituals, and forced consumption that led to acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis. This case underscores the ongoing issues within this national organization.
• Significance for Indiana: The national history, including the current high-profile Houston lawsuit, demonstrates a pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing and physical abuse that Indiana families should consider.

Kappa Kappa Gamma (ΚΚΓ)

• Identity: A large and well-recognized national sorority.
• National Hazing History: While often focused on sisterhood and philanthropy, even sororities have faced hazing allegations.
  • DePauw University (1997): This Indiana chapter was involved in an incident where members were accused of branding pledges with cigarettes after heavy drinking; pledges suffered burn injuries. This local incident serves as a stark reminder that hazing can occur within sororities too, and sometimes has direct ties right here in Indiana.
• Significance for Indiana: The local relevance of the DePauw incident shows that hazing is a campus-wide issue, not limited to fraternities, and highlights specific incidents right here in the Hoosier State.

Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ) and Other NPHC Organizations

• Identity: Omega Psi Phi is one of the “Divine Nine” Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities, with a strong tradition of community service and leadership.
• National Hazing History: NPHC organizations, while often condemning hazing, have unfortunately been associated with physical hazing incidents in their past, sometimes referred to as “crossing” rituals.
  • Joseph Snell – Bowie State University, Maryland (1997): Endured severe beatings over a four-week period, including burns, leading to a $375,000 verdict against the fraternity and its members. This case demonstrated that both national and local chapters can be liable.
  • Tennessee State University (1983, 2001): Omega Psi Phi chapters have been linked to multiple deaths, involving physical hazing and forced exercise, highlighting concerns within the organization’s history.
  • University of Southern Mississippi (2023): Former student Rafeal Joseph alleged severe hazing including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle over a four-week period. He claimed extensive injuries that required emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation, leading to a federal lawsuit against the university and the Nu Eta chapter of Omega Psi Phi.
• Significance for Indiana: For students and families engaging with NPHC groups at Indiana universities, understanding this history is important, as it reflects the need for vigilance against physical hazing and abuse, despite the positive aims of these organizations.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For any Indiana family considering legal action, these national patterns are invaluable. They demonstrate that:

• Foreseeability for Nationals: National organizations often cannot claim ignorance when similar incidents occur. Their extensive anti-hazing policies and prior disciplinary actions against other chapters prove they know the risks.
• Duty to Act: This knowledge creates a legal duty for nationals to actively supervise and intervene at local chapters, not merely issue policies from afar.
• Pattern of Conduct: When a local chapter’s hazing mirrors documented national patterns, it strengthens arguments for negligence, gross negligence, and even punitive damages.
• Insurance Coverage: Understanding national structures also helps identify all potential insurance policies that might apply, from local chapter liability to national umbrella policies.

Attorney911 brings expertise in dissecting these complex organizational histories to build a robust case for accountability, ensuring that any Indiana family affected by hazing benefits from a thorough investigation into the full scope of responsibility.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

For an Indiana family whose child has suffered due to hazing, pursuing justice means more than recounting a traumatic story. It requires meticulously building a legal case, gathering compelling evidence, understanding the full scope of recoverable damages, and implementing a strategic approach. At Attorney911, we specialize in these complex investigations, turning deeply personal tragedies into powerful arguments for accountability.

Evidence: The Cornerstones of a Hazing Case

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and quantity of evidence. Unlike past generations where hazing was more easily dismissed as “he-said-she-said,” technology has transformed evidence collection.

• Digital Communications: The Most Critical Category

  • Group Messaging Apps: In 2025, group chats are the #1 source of hazing evidence. Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS group texts, Discord, and even fraternity/sorority-specific apps are where hazing is planned, coordinated, and documented. These messages reveal intent, coercion, specific instructions, and the general culture of the organization. Screenshots, with full context, timestamps, and participant names visible, are invaluable.
  • Social Media Evidence: Instagram posts (including stories and DMs), Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, and Facebook communications frequently capture hazing in action or reveal consequences. Photos, videos, and even comments can show injuries, humiliating acts, forced drinking, and the location of events. It’s crucial to preserve this content immediately, as stories vanish and posts can be deleted.

• Photos & Videos: Beyond social media, direct photos and videos are paramount.

  • Injuries: Immediate photographs of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) from multiple angles, ideally with a ruler or coin for scale, and then re-photographed over several days to show healing progression, are vital.
  • Locations & Events: Videos of hazing in progress, or photos of the venues (on- or off-campus houses, retreats), can provide incontrovertible proof. Even images of paddles, empty alcohol bottles, or other props used in hazing are important.

• Internal Organization Documents: These can be difficult to obtain without legal intervention but are powerful. They include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, rules for new members, and internal communications (emails between officers, texts planning events). These documents can reveal that hazing was systemic or part of an established “tradition.”

• University Records: Through subpoena and public records requests, university files can show a pattern of negligence. This includes prior conduct files on the same chapter (previous hazing violations, probations, suspensions), campus police incident reports, Clery Act reports (showing broader safety issues), and Title IX complaints (if applicable). Internal emails among administrators discussing the organization can sometimes reveal knowledge of issues that were not adequately addressed.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the harm. Emergency room visit reports, hospitalization records, lab results (e.g., blood alcohol content, kidney function for rhabdomyolysis), imaging (X-rays, CT scans), and follow-up treatment notes are critical for establishing physical injuries. Psychological evaluations and therapy records documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health impacts are essential for emotional damages. Telling medical providers how the injury occurred is crucial for proper documentation.

• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges, active members, roommates, RAs, coaches, or even bystanders can corroborate the victim’s story. Former members who have left the organization can be particularly valuable, as they may be free from current pressures to remain silent.

Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

Damages: Recovering What Was Lost

When hazing inflicts harm, the law provides avenues to recover various categories of damages, aiming to restore the victim (or their family) to the position they would have been in had the hazing not occurred.

• Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

  • Medical Expenses: This covers all past costs (ER visits, ambulance, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy) and future estimated costs for ongoing treatment, psychological counseling, and potentially lifelong care for catastrophic injuries (as seen in cases like Danny Santulli’s).
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: This includes wages lost if a student had to leave school or was unable to work. More significantly, if injuries lead to permanent disability or a delay in education (like losing scholarships or delaying graduation), economists can calculate the diminished future earning capacity over a lifetime.
  • Other Direct Losses: Property damage incurred during hazing, or even costs associated with transferring to a different university if the trauma makes returning impossible, can be included.

• Non-Economic Damages (Subjective, Legally Compensable Harm):

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Compensation for the actual physical pain endured, both immediate and long-term.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This is a major component in hazing cases, covering severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, and the profound psychological impact of abuse. Psychological evaluations are vital here.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the inability to engage in activities previously enjoyed, the withdrawal from social life, and the general impairment of the quality of life the victim would have otherwise experienced.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the tragic event of a hazing-related death, families in Indiana can pursue a wrongful death claim. This compensates for:

  • Funeral and Burial Costs.
  • Loss of Financial Support: Calculated based on the deceased’s potential lifetime earnings and support they would have provided.
  • Loss of Companionship, Love, and Society: Compensates for the profound emotional void left in the lives of close family members (parents, children, spouse, and in some cases, siblings).
  • Grief and Emotional Suffering: For the deep emotional pain experienced by the surviving family members due to the tragic and often sudden loss.

• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases where defendants acted with extreme recklessness, malice, or callous indifference (e.g., ignoring repeated warnings, actively covering up incidents, or engaging in particularly brutal hazing), courts may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendants and deter similar conduct in the future.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases are further complicated by the multiple layers of potential defendants and their respective insurance coverage.

• Institutional Defendants: National fraternities/sororities and universities almost always carry substantial liability insurance policies. These policies are designed to cover claims of negligence. However, insurers will often try to argue that hazing, particularly if it involves “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct,” falls under policy exclusions.
• Individual Defendants: While individual students involved in hazing may have personal liability, their financial resources and individual insurance (like homeowner’s or renter’s policies) are often limited.
• Skilled Legal Navigation: Attorney911 specializes in identifying all potential sources of recovery. This includes scrutinizing national organization and university insurance policies, challenging unjust exclusions, and leveraging the firm’s in-depth understanding of how these powerful entities (and their insurers) operate. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is crucial for navigating fraternity and university insurance coverage disputes.

Legal Strategy: A Coordinated Approach

Building a successful hazing case requires a coordinated and thorough legal strategy.

• Discovery: This legal process allows attorneys to compel defendants to provide documents, internal communications, and witness testimonies, often revealing patterns of prior warnings and inadequate responses.
• Expert Witnesses: We work with medical and psychological experts to establish the full extent of physical and emotional damages, digital forensics experts to recover deleted online evidence, and economists to calculate long-term financial losses.
• Negotiation & Litigation: While many cases settle out of court (often confidentially), Attorney911 prepares every case for trial. This readiness is key to demonstrating strength and achieving maximum results.

The aim is always to achieve justice for our clients—not just financial compensation, but also
accountability from all responsible parties and reforms that prevent future tragedies.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing strikes, families in Indiana are often left disoriented and unsure where to turn. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance for parents, students, and witnesses, as well as answers to common legal questions.

8.1 For Parents: Your Role in Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

As an Indiana parent, you are often your child’s first line of defense. Here’s what you need to know:

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be attuned to changes in your child.

  • Physical: Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns), extreme fatigue, persistent illness, significant weight changes, or obvious sleep deprivation. Be wary of vague or inconsistent explanations for these issues.
  • Behavioral/Emotional: Sudden secrecy about organizational activities, withdrawal from family or old friends, drastic mood swings (anxiety, depression, irritability), increased defensiveness when asked about the group, or expressions of fear about “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down.”
  • Academic: A noticeable drop in grades, missed classes, or a decline in academic performance.
  • Financial: Sudden, unexplained requests for money, or large, unusual expenses for the organization or its members.
  • Digital: Excessive phone use for group chats at all hours, immediate anxiety when their phone buzzes, or secretive phone behavior.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment. Start with open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with [group name]?” or “Is there anything about joining that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, far above any group affiliation. Reassure them you will support them, regardless of their choices or what they’ve been through.

• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Take photos of any injuries, collect names and contact information of potential witnesses, and write down everything your child tells you while the details are fresh.

• Dealing with the University: Document every interaction with university officials, including dates, names, and summaries of conversations. Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what the school has done to prevent hazing. Recognize that the university’s primary goal may be internal resolution, which may not align with your family’s pursuit of full accountability.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child experiences significant physical or psychological harm or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, contact an experienced Indiana hazing attorney immediately. Evidence vanishes quickly, and legal counsel can help secure crucial information.

8.2 For Students/Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

If you’re an Indiana student feeling trapped or unsafe, remember: you have rights, and help is available.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask yourself: Am I being forced to do something I don’t want to do? Would I do this if I had a real choice, without fear of exclusion or punishment? Does this activity endanger my health, humiliate me, or exploit me? Am I told to keep secrets or lie about this to others? If the answer is yes to any of these, it’s hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not true consent.

• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The law, particularly Indiana’s hazing statute, understands the power dynamics. The desire to belong, fear of social exclusion, and intimidation from older members can negate true consent. You are not to blame for being hazed.

• Exiting and Reporting Safely: If you want to leave or feel unsafe, you have the right to do so. Inform a trusted adult outside the organization (parent, RA, professor). If you fear retaliation, immediately report your concerns to the Dean of Students or campus police. You can also anonymously report hazing through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.

• Good-Faith Reporting & Amnesty: Indiana law and most university policies (including those at IU, Purdue, and Ball State) offer some form of immunity or amnesty for students who call for help in a medical emergency, even if they were consuming alcohol underage or were involved in the hazing themselves. Your life, and the lives of others, are more important than potential university discipline.

8.3 For Former Members/Witnesses: Your Role in Accountability

If you were once a member of an organization where hazing occurred, or witnessed it, you have a vital role to play.

• Prevent Future Harm: Your testimony can be crucial in preventing similar incidents and ensuring that organizations are held accountable. You can help save other students from enduring what you or others experienced.
• Confidentiality: While you may fear reprisal, an attorney can help ensure your privacy and safety. They can advise you on your rights and obligations, and how to provide information securely.
• Moral Imperative: Coming forward, even anonymously, can be a profound act of courage and conscience. Your cooperation can turn the tide in an investigation and ensure justice.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Hazing cases are challenging, and errors in the initial stages can severely compromise your ability to seek justice. Avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Letting Your Child Delete or “Clean Up” Evidence: In a misguided attempt to protect themselves, students often delete messages, clear social media, or discard physical evidence. This can be interpreted as a cover-up and may destroy vital proof. Preserve everything immediately, even if it’s embarrassing.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly: Directly confronting the group or its leaders will nearly always cause them to immediately destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses. Document first, then seek legal counsel.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms: Universities often push families to sign internal agreements or waivers. Never sign anything from the university or an insurance company without a lawyer reviewing it first. You might unknowingly waive your family’s legal rights.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer: While emotions run high, public social media posts can be used by defense attorneys against you. Preserve discretion until advised by legal counsel.
5. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”: Universities have a vested interest in managing their public image and often offer internal resolutions that fall short of full accountability. Evidence disappears quickly. Preserve evidence and contact a lawyer immediately.
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer: Insurance adjusters, even if seemingly sympathetic, work for the insurance company. Their goal is to minimize payouts. Your statements can be used against you. Politely decline to speak with them directly and refer them to your attorney. Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) explains additional errors to avoid.

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Indiana?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. For public universities like Indiana University or Purdue University, sovereign immunity in Indiana can pose a challenge, though exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and certain federal civil rights violations. Private universities like Notre Dame or the University of Indianapolis have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-dependent, so contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Indiana?”
  Generally, hazing in Indiana is a Class C misdemeanor. However, it escalates to a Class B misdemeanor if it results in serious bodily injury. While not yet a felony as in some other states, the legal consequences for individuals in Indiana can still include jail time and significant fines.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Indiana law generally recognizes that “consent” given under duress, fear of exclusion, or intense peer pressure in hazing situations is not true voluntary consent. Your legal rights are not automatically forfeited because of initial “agreement.”

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Indiana?”
  Generally, personal injury lawsuits in Indiana have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death. However, this period can be extended under certain conditions, such as if the harm wasn’t immediately discovered (discovery rule), or if the victim was a minor. Time is critical as evidence disappears quickly. For more details on the statute of limitations, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of hazing does not necessarily absolve organizations or universities of responsibility. If an event is directly related to organizational activities—even if off-campus—universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge of the activity, and foreseeability of harm.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Many hazing cases are settled confidentially before trial. While public lawsuits are court records, it’s often possible to negotiate terms that protect your child’s privacy. Our priority is to achieve justice while minimizing additional trauma to your family.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When hazing leaves its devastating mark on an Indiana family, you need a legal team that understands the gravity of the situation and knows how to fight powerful institutions. You need more than just a general personal injury lawyer; you need advocates who have experience in high-stakes litigation and a deep understanding of how fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies operate.

At Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique combination of expertise and empathy to hazing cases. From our primary office in Houston, Texas, we serve families throughout Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, and across the state, ensuring that the critical legal battles are fought with the highest level of competence and dedication.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

We open every hazing case investigation with a clear understanding: this isn’t just about an isolated incident; it’s about systemic failures. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings an invaluable perspective. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies evaluate (and undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and confidential settlement strategies because “we know their playbook—we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is a formidable asset for your family’s case.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Led by Ralph Manginello, Attorney911 is no stranger to taking on formidable opponents. Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, a complex federal case against one of the world’s largest corporations. This experience, coupled with our federal court admission (U.S. District Court) and more than 25 years of practice, means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, large university systems, or their aggressive defense teams. We’ve proven we can go toe-to-toe with powerful defendants and win.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Hazing too often results in catastrophic injuries or tragic death. Attorney911 has a proven track record of handling wrongful death and severe personal injury cases, securing multi-million dollar results for families. We understand how to work with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities, and we meticulously build cases that demand full accountability. Our wrongful death page (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/) details our commitment to such cases.

• Dual Civil and Criminal Expertise: Hazing can lead to both civil lawsuits and criminal charges. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) underscores our understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual capability allows us to strategically advise on both tracks, a crucial advantage in multi-faceted hazing cases. Our criminal defense experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) means we advise on criminal exposure, not just civil liability.

• Investigative Depth and Modern Evidence Collection: We understand that hazing evidence lives in the digital realm. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted group chats, social media messages, and other crucial electronic evidence. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records showing prior incidents and force universities to release files through discovery. We build investigations like your child’s future depends on it—because it does. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document a legal case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) provides valuable initial guidance.

We approach every case with empathy, knowing this is one of the hardest things an Indiana family can face. Our goal is clear: get you answers, hold all responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We believe in thorough investigation and unwavering advocacy.

Call to Action for Indiana Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Indiana university—be it Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University, Ball State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Indianapolis, or any other institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Indiana and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to what happened without judgment, explain your legal options under Indiana and federal law, and help you decide on the best path forward. Our contingency fee structure means we don’t get paid unless we win your case, removing any financial barrier to seeking justice. Learn more about how contingency fees work in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story empathetically.
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
• Explain your legal options, including criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, or both.
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations for your case.
• Answer your questions about costs and the legal process.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, West Lafayette, or any other community in Indiana, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: For consultation in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Indiana attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas. Serving families throughout Indiana.
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
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Universities: Indiana and State

When delving into the landscape of higher education in Indiana, it’s vital to provide a comprehensive overview. For families researching options for their children, safety and institutional response to challenges like hazing are paramount. Here, we present the universities directly affiliated with Indiana families, along with a complete directory of higher education institutions across the state.

Universities in Indiana (Tier 1 – Narrative)

Here are detailed profiles of the key universities in Indiana that families across the state frequently consider.

Indiana University-Bloomington

Indiana University-Bloomington, situated in the picturesque Midwestern heartland, is a major public research university with a vibrant and diverse academic community. It is a cornerstone institution for many Indiana families envisioning a rich collegiate experience for their children.

Greek Life at IU: IU-Bloomington boasts one of the nation’s largest and most active Greek systems, with a significant number of fraternities and sororities under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Association, and various NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) and multicultural organizations. Greek life plays a major role in social, philanthropic, and leadership activities, attracting a diverse cohort of students, including many from families located throughout Indiana.

Hazing History at IU: Indiana University-Bloomington has a documented history of hazing incidents stretching back over a century, reflecting the deep-seated nature of such practices in some student organizations. While policies have evolved, the challenges remain. For instance, an accidental rush death related to alcohol at Theta Chi in 2001 underscores the historical dangers that lurked beneath seemingly typical social events, even if then-officials tried to downplay direct hazing. Modern disciplinary actions often involve suspensions of Greek chapters following medical emergencies or documented policy violations, typically featuring forced alcohol consumption, physical duress, or new member servitude.

University Policies: Indiana University maintains a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that strictly prohibits acts that endanger the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. The university encourages reporting through formal channels like the Dean of Students office, the IU Police Department (IUPD), and anonymous online forms. They emphasize transparent investigation and disciplinary actions against individuals and organizations found in violation.

Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus, located in West Lafayette, is a world-renowned public research university, particularly celebrated for its programs in engineering, agriculture, and technology. It attracts a vast number of Indiana students, from rural communities to bustling suburban areas, seeking top-tier academic and research opportunities.

Greek Life at Purdue: Purdue maintains a large and active Greek system, proportional to its substantial student body. Fraternities and sororities contribute significantly to social life, community service, and student leadership. Many Indiana families look to these organizations as a way for their children to build connections and experience camaraderie in a large university setting.

Hazing History at Purdue: Purdue’s history, like that of many older institutions, includes documented hazing incidents. As far back as 1913, Francis W. Obenchain died during a class scrap, which was a form of sanctioned hazing between freshman and upperclassmen. While that era’s practices differ from today, it illustrates a longstanding institutional awareness of dangerous initiations. In more recent times, Purdue has taken stringent action against numerous chapters for hazing, often involving forced alcohol use, sleep deprivation, or physical endurance tests that violate the safety and well-being of new members.

University Policies: Purdue University’s current anti-hazing policy is explicit and strictly enforced through its Office of the Dean of Students. The policy unequivocally prohibits any conduct that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student in connection with initiation or affiliation. Reporting mechanisms are well-established, including the Purdue University Police Department (PUPD) and anonymous online options, reflecting the university’s commitment to addressing such instances promptly.

Ball State University

Ball State University, located in Muncie in East Central Indiana, is a significant public university known for its programs in communication, education, architecture, and the arts. It serves as a key academic destination for many Indiana students, offering a blend of traditional campus life and innovative learning.

Greek Life at Ball State: Ball State hosts a sizable Greek life community integral to the university’s social fabric. Interfraternity, Panhellenic, and National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations offer students opportunities for community involvement and social engagement. Given Muncie’s location, Ball State’s Greek system is a common landing spot for students from regional Indiana cities and towns.

Hazing History at Ball State: Ball State has also contended with hazing incidents involving its Greek organizations. Public records and news reports over the last decade reveal various fraternities and sororities facing disciplinary actions and suspensions due to hazing. These incidents commonly involve forced alcohol consumption, physical tasks meant to humiliate, or demanding activities leading to sleep deprivation, all in blatant violation of university policy.

University Policies: Ball State University upholds a stringent anti-hazing policy. The policy, enforced by the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards, defines hazing broadly to include any activity that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Reporting is encouraged through the Dean of Students, the Ball State University Police Department (BSUPD), and anonymous online forms.

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame, a prestigious private Catholic research university in South Bend, is nationally recognized for its strong academics, vibrant traditions, and prominent athletic programs. While it does not have a traditional Greek-letter system, issues of hazing can still arise within other student organizations, athletic teams, and residential communities.

Student Life at Notre Dame: Notre Dame’s unique residential life model, built around single-sex dormitories that are communities in themselves, fosters a strong sense of identity and tradition. Coupled with its nationally recognized athletic programs and numerous student clubs, this environment can, inadvertently, create settings where initiation-like activities might occur.

Hazing History at Notre Dame: While lacking Greek fraternities, Notre Dame has faced incidents involving hazing within its athletic teams and other student groups. These incidents, though less frequently making national headlines, have resulted in internal disciplinary actions, including suspensions of student-athletes and clubs for forced physical exertion, degrading rituals, or activities causing emotional duress.

University Policies: The University of Notre Dame maintains a strict anti-hazing policy applicable to all recognized and unrecognized student groups, athletic teams, and residential halls. The policy broadly defines hazing to include any activity that causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological harm or humiliation as part of admission or affiliation. Reporting is routed through the Office of Community Standards and Campus Safety, reflecting the university’s commitment to upholding student dignity and safety.

University of Indianapolis (UIndy)

The University of Indianapolis (UIndy) is a private university located just south of downtown Indianapolis. It offers a suburban campus environment with a strong focus on liberal arts and professional education. For families in the greater Indianapolis area, UIndy represents a local, accessible private university option.

Greek Life at UIndy: UIndy has a Greek life presence that, while smaller than larger state universities, plays an active role in campus social life, philanthropy, and student engagement. Many students from Indianapolis and surrounding Indiana communities seek connection through these fraternities and sororities.

Hazing History at UIndy: The University of Indianapolis has, like many institutions, experienced its share of hazing incidents within its student organizations. Disciplinary records indicate that Greek chapters and other clubs have faced sanctions for violations involving forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, or activities designed to humiliate new members during initiation periods.

University Policies: UIndy’s anti-hazing policy, enforced by the Office of Student Affairs, clearly defines and prohibits hazing. Its policy is broad, covering any activity that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule as a condition for membership or affiliation. Reporting is encouraged through the Dean of Students Office, Campus Police, or an online incident report form, including anonymous submission options.

Where Indiana Families Send Kids (Tier 2 – Contextual)

Beyond our state’s borders, many Indiana families also send their children to prominent universities in close proximity or within the broader Midwest. These regional institutions, while not in Indiana, are often considered by Hoosier students and offer significant Greek life.

Many Indiana families also send their children to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, a massive institution with one of the nation’s largest Greek systems and a known history of hazing incidents. Similarly, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a frequent choice, offering a vast array of Greek and athletic organizations, and has also faced consistent challenges with hazing. University of Kentucky and University of Louisville in Kentucky are also common choices, drawing students from Southern Indiana, and both have active Greek systems where hazing has occurred.

Complete Indiana University Directory (Tier 3 – End of Section)

Attorney911 tracks every higher education institution in Indiana. For complete reference, here is every four-year degree-granting higher education institution in Indiana:

• American College of Education | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private For-Profit
• Anderson University | Anderson, Madison County | Private Non-Profit
• Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary | Elkhart, Elkhart County | Private Non-Profit
• Ball State University | Muncie, Delaware County | Public University
• Bethel University | Mishawaka, St. Joseph County | Private Non-Profit
• Bethany Theological Seminary | Richmond, Wayne County | Private Non-Profit
• Butler University | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, Lake County | Private Non-Profit
• Chamberlain University-Indiana | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private For-Profit
• Christian Theological Seminary | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• Concordia Theological Seminary | Fort Wayne, Allen County | Private Non-Profit
• DePauw University | Greencastle, Putnam County | Private Non-Profit
• DeVry University-Indiana | Merrillville, Lake County | Private For-Profit
• Earlham College | Richmond, Wayne County | Private Non-Profit
• Franklin College | Franklin, Johnson County | Private Non-Profit
• Goshen College | Goshen, Elkhart County | Private Non-Profit
• Grace College and Theological Seminary | Winona Lake, Kosciusko County | Private Non-Profit
• Hanover College | Hanover, Jefferson County | Private Non-Profit
• Holy Cross College | Notre Dame, St. Joseph County | Private Non-Profit
• Horizon University | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• Huntington University | Huntington, Huntington County | Private Non-Profit
• Indiana Institute of Technology | Fort Wayne, Allen County | Private Non-Profit
• Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies | Fort Wayne, Allen County | Private Non-Profit
• Indiana State University | Terre Haute, Vigo County | Public University
• Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, Monroe County | Public University
• Indiana University-East | Richmond, Wayne County | Public University
• Indiana University-Kokomo | Kokomo, Howard County | Public University
• Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, Lake County | Public University
• Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Marion County | Public University
• Indiana University-Southeast | New Albany, Floyd County | Public University
• Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, St. Joseph County | Public University
• Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | Marion, Grant County | Private Non-Profit
• Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | Marion, Grant County | Private Non-Profit
• John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences | South Bend, St. Joseph County | Private For-Profit
• Manchester University | North Manchester, Wabash County | Private Non-Profit
• Marian University | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• Marian University-Ancilla | Plymouth, Marshall County | Private Non-Profit
• Martin University | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• Mid-America College of Funeral Service | Jeffersonville, Clark County | Private Non-Profit
• Oakland City University | Oakland City, Gibson County | Private Non-Profit
• Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Allen County | Public University
• Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County | Public University
• Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, Lake County | Public University
• Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County | Public University
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, Vigo County | Private Non-Profit
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, Vigo County | Private Non-Profit
• Saint Mary’s College | Notre Dame, St. Joseph County | Private Non-Profit
• Saint Meinrad School of Theology | St. Meinrad, Spencer County | Private Non-Profit
• Taylor University | Upland, Grant County | Private Non-Profit
• Trine University | Angola, Steuben County | Private Non-Profit
• Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses | Angola, Steuben County | Private Non-Profit
• Union Bible College | Westfield, Hamilton County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Evansville | Evansville, Vanderburgh County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Marion County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, St. Joseph County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Allen County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, Vanderburgh County | Public University
• Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, Porter County | Private Non-Profit
• Veritas Baptist College | Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County | Private Non-Profit
• Vincennes University | Vincennes, Knox County | Public University
• Wabash College | Crawfordsville, Montgomery County | Private Non-Profit

Greek Organizations: Indiana and State

For families across Indiana, understanding the presence and historical context of Greek organizations is crucial. These organizations, while often touting positive values, carry a documented risk of hazing, both nationally and here in the Hoosier State. Here, we highlight organizations with a direct presence in Indiana, connecting them to broader national patterns, and provide a full directory of IRS-registered Greek entities in the state.

Indiana Greek Organizations (Tier 1 – Narrative)

Here are detailed profiles of Greek organizations directly serving areas where Indiana students may attend:

ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC

Alpha Sigma Phi is a national social fraternity with a significant presence on college campuses across the nation, including several in Indiana. It is one of the oldest fraternities in the United States, tracing its origins to 1845. Like many fraternities, it emphasizes scholarship, honor, and leadership.

Presence in Indiana: Alpha Sigma Phi has active chapters at various universities throughout Indiana, attracting Hoosier students seeking brotherhood and social engagement. Locations like Angola, Bloomington, Carmel, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette are home to IRS-registered entities.

National Hazing History: Alpha Sigma Phi, nationally, has faced its share of hazing allegations and disciplinary actions from universities. Historically, incidents across the country have ranged from forced alcohol consumption to psychologically demeaning tasks. These past incidents underscore the necessity for vigilance across all chapters to ensure adherence to anti-hazing policies. We are NOT alleging that specific Indiana chapters have engaged in hazing. Nevertheless, parents should research any organization their child considers joining.

What Families Should Know: Families in Indiana should be aware that, like many national fraternities, Alpha Sigma Phi’s national organization has policies against hazing. However, the enforcement and adherence at the chapter level can vary. Understanding the national context reminds families to prioritize transparent and safe new member education practices.

PHI BETA PSI SORORITY

Phi Beta Psi is a women’s national philanthropic sorority. It focuses on community service and charitable activities, with a particular emphasis on cancer research. While not as widely recognized on university campuses as some other Greek organizations, its philanthropic mission draws dedicated members.

Presence in Indiana: Phi Beta Psi has a strong footprint within Indiana, with numerous IRS-registered chapters throughout various cities and towns, often serving as alumnae or community-based groups rather than solely campus-based undergraduate chapters. Locations like Arcadia, Aurora, Batesville, Bedford, Cicero, Corydon, Elwood, Fort Wayne, French Lick, Gary, Greenwood, Hobart, Jamestown, Jeffersonville, Lawrenceburg, Madison, Memphis, Michigan City, Mitchell, Mooresville, Muncie, Norman, North Salem, Orleans, Pittsboro, Rising Sun, Scottsburg, Sellersburg, Sheridan, Terre Haute, Valparaiso, and West Lafayette host chapters.

National Hazing History: While philanthropic sororities generally have a lower incidence of severe hazing compared to their fraternity counterparts, no organization is entirely immune. National sororities like Phi Beta Psi emphasize sisterhood and service, typically with strict anti-hazing policies. Historically, hazing in women’s organizations has sometimes manifested more as psychological coercion or “sisterhood building” rituals that cross lines into humiliation or isolation. We are NOT alleging that specific Indiana chapters have engaged in hazing. However, parents should still understand the definition of hazing broadly, ensuring that any group their child joins, regardless of its primary mission, adheres to safety and respect.

What Families Should Know: The philanthropic focus of Phi Beta Psi can be very appealing to Indiana families. However, it’s always important to inquire about new member education processes to ensure they align with anti-hazing best practices, regardless of the group’s type—whether on a campus or in a broader community setting.

ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is an international, historically Black Greek-letter sorority. Founded in 1920, it is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) “Divine Nine” and is dedicated to scholarship, service, sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.

Presence in Indiana: Zeta Phi Beta has a significant presence in Indiana, with IRS-registered chapters in key cities such as Bloomington, East Chicago, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, and Muncie. These chapters are active both on university campuses and within the broader metropolitan areas, engaging in community service and promoting academic excellence for Indiana students.

National Hazing History: Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) like Zeta Phi Beta have faced national scrutiny regarding their intake processes, which have sometimes included forms of physical or psychological hazing, often referred to as “crossing” rituals. While national organizations have explicitly banned hazing and emphasize positive new member education, incidents continue to be reported across the country. We are NOT alleging that specific Indiana chapters have engaged in hazing. For example, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a “brother” organization within the NPHC, has faced multiple hazing allegations. These patterns highlight broader NPHC culture challenges which individual sororities must address.

What Families Should Know: For families whose children are interested in Zeta Phi Beta in Indiana, it’s vital to research the specific chapter’s reputation and its adherence to the national organization’s strict anti-hazing policies, which are often communicated clearly. Emphasize open communication with your child about the new member intake process, ensuring it prioritizes safety and respect over any form of physical or mental duress.

Greek Life at Regional Universities (Tier 2 – Contextual)

Many Indiana families send their children to neighboring states for higher education. These discussions often include schools with large Greek systems where hazing issues are frequently present.

At Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), Greek life is massive and plays a dominant role in social life. Several fraternities there, including those whose national organizations appear in major hazing headlines, have faced suspensions for alcohol-related hazing. Similarly, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL), a top destination for many Indiana students, numerous Greek organizations have been disciplined for hazing, with incidents often mirroring the alcohol and physical abuse patterns seen nationally.

Complete Indiana Greek Organization Directory (Tier 3 – End of Section)

Attorney911 tracks every IRS-registered Greek organization in Indiana. Complete directory:

• ALPHA EPSILON PHI EPSILON EPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 35-1047092 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 20-5457401 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
• SIGMA TRITON CORPORATION OF PHI SIGMA KAPPA | EIN: 47-2655613 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
• THE INDIANA WRANGLER FOUNDATION CO | EIN: 87-4107326 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
• THE INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY INC | EIN: 82-3935700 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
• PHI THETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6046094 | ARCADIA, IN
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 45-2982198 | EAST CHICAGO, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6063484 | ELWOOD, IN
• PHI KAPPA TAU GRaternity DELTA BETA CHAPTER | EIN: 35-6252349 | EVANSVILLE, IN
• THE UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE CHAPTER | EIN: 23-7279608 | EVANSVILLE, IN
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED UPSILON OMEGA ZETA CHAPTER | EIN: 65-1298800 | FISHERS, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6054327 | FORT WAYNE, IN
• PHI SIGMA RHO NATIONAL SORORITY | EIN: 92-1794259 | FORT WAYNE, IN
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY | EIN: 35-2105777 | FORT WAYNE, IN
• INDIANA DELTA HOUSE CORPORATION | EIN: 23-7400586 | FRANKLIN, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6043738 | FRENCH LICK, IN
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC | EIN: 91-2083457 | GARY, IN
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY-ZETA THETA ZETA-INC GARY | EIN: 35-6068180 | GARY, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072103 | GREENWOOD, IN
• CHI CHAPTER HOUSE CORPORATION | EIN: 27-0990002 | HANOVER, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 23-7086768 | HOBART, IN
• ACTIVITY LODGE 905 OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS I | EIN: 85-3959182 | HYMERA, IN
• ALPHA GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITY | EIN: 22-1550561 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 45-2988927 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA SORORITY | EIN: 04-6179530 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA SORORITY | EIN: 35-2157512 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-2806072 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA TAU SORORITY INC | EIN: 43-0781516 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA XI DELTA FRATERNITY | EIN: 34-6560838 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ALPHA XI DELTA NATIONAL HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 35-2103442 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• DELTA KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-2766939 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 27-2762793 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 95-4273438 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 37-6036054 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 43-6059326 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 47-2661851 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 90-1116041 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 95-4560363 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 20-3305710 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 75-6012996 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 81-4837751 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 61-1859417 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 90-0252399 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ESPONDA ASSOCIATES INC | EIN: 35-2609175 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ETA LAMBDA FACILITY CORPORATION | EIN: 51-0513776 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• INDIANA GAMMA CHAPTER OF PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | EIN: 31-1105956 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• IOTA OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA CORP | EIN: 37-6046504 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 26-1430902 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• KAPPA UPSILON CHAPTER OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-1549668 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• PKP PERMANENT SCHOLASTIC EDUCATIONAL CHARITABLE AND FRATERN | EIN: 83-0575410 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON FRATERNITY | EIN: 26-2182980 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• XI RHO CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 52-1847281 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ZETA IOTA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 47-5178072 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• ZETA PHI CHAPTER OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 35-1865431 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6024249 | JAMESTOWN, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072159 | JEFFERSONVLLE, IN
• NU MU NU CHAPTER-OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY NU MU NU CHAPTER | EIN: 81-4618832 | KOKOMO, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072106 | LAWRENCEBURG, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6043329 | MADISON, IN
• PHI MU HOUSE CORP | EIN: 35-1189069 | MADISON, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6033530 | MEMPHIS, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 80-0891682 | MICHIGAN CITY, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6043663 | MITCHELL, IN
• KAPPA KAPPA SIGMA SORORITY-GRAND COUNCIL | EIN: 35-1865111 | MOORESVILLE, IN
• BALL STATE THETA CHI ALUMNI CORPORATION | EIN: 35-1969460 | MUNCIE, IN
• HONOR SOCEITY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0223811 | MUNCIE, IN
• INDIANA GAMMA CHAPTER OF SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY | EIN: 84-5053436 | MUNCIE, IN
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 35-6059569 | MUNCIE, IN
• NORTHWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 46-4487136 | NAPPANEE, IN
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 34-1411909 | NEW ALBANY, IN
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY AT EVANSVILLE INC | EIN: 46-4024644 | NEWBURGH, IN
• ALPHA KAPPA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 31-6077207 | NOBLESVILLE, IN
• ALPHA KAPPA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 33-0665449 | NOBLESVILLE, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072154 | NORMAN, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 20-2861311 | NORTH SALEM, IN
• INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF PSI IOTA XI INC | EIN: 31-0901769 | ODON, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6046097 | ORLEANS, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072112 | PITTSBORO, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072151 | RISING SUN, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6042588 | SCOTTSBURG, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072149 | SELLERSBURG, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 23-7254166 | SELLERSBURG, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 35-6072107 | SHERIDAN, IN
• ALPHA TAU OMEGA FRATERNITY GAMMA GAMMA CHPATER ROSE-HULMAN | EIN: 35-0950983 | TERRE HAUTE, IN
• BETA UPSILON CHAPTER SIGMA NU INC | EIN: 31-1101678 | TERRE HAUTE, IN
• CHI OMEGA WABASH VALLEY ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 35-6040477 | TERRE HAUTE, IN
• THETA CHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 35-6067926 | TERRE HAUTE, IN
• PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA KAPPA SIGMA CHAPTER | EIN: 85-3024920 | VALPARAISO, IN
• PHI UPSILON ALUMNI CHAPTER OF PHI SIGMA KAPPA INC | EIN: 35-1610464 | VALPARAISO, IN
• ALPHA CORPORATION OF PHI SIGMA RHO | EIN: 27-0234361 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-4075172 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• CHI CHAPTER HOUSE ASSN – KAPPA SIGMA | EIN: 35-6031127 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• CHI OMEGA OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY INC | EIN: 35-6073610 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 35-6024596 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 94-3305445 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 35-0921725 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• PHI SIGMA RHO NATIONAL SORORITY | EIN: 31-1205548 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• PURDUE ALPHA KAPPA DELTA PHI CHAPTER ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION | EIN: 99-1856974 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• THETA CHI FRATERNITY INC ALUMNI OF ALPHA DELTA CHAPTER | EIN: 35-6033533 | W LAFAYETTE, IN
• PSI ZETA OF THE LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY | EIN: 84-3087119 | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-4074473 | ANGOLA, IN
• GAMMA PHI EPSILON SORORITY | EIN: 30-0282754 | ANGOLA, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 82-2482414 | CARMEL, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-4049131 | CARMEL, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-4085668 | CARMEL, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-4062947 | CARMEL, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 46-4049711 | CARMEL, IN
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 82-4315716 | CARMEL, IN
• SIGMA DELTA TAU CAPITAL CORPORATION | EIN: 84-5018090 | CARMEL, IN
• SIGMA FOUNDATION OF ZETA BETA TAU INC | EIN: 46-5703865 | CARMEL, IN
• SIGMA KAPPA SORORITY | EIN: 62-6047326 | CARMEL, IN
• SIGMA KAPPA SORORITY | EIN: 31-6050712 | CARMEL, IN
• SIGMA TAU GAMMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 43-6067170 | CARMEL, IN
• THETA ALPHA HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 93-1540194 | CARMEL, IN
• ZETA PSI CHAPTER OF ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 46-3871332 | CARMEL, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 33-3001193 | AURORA, IN
• PHI BETA PSI SORORITY | EIN: 81-4047143 | CORYDON, IN

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

For an Indiana family whose child has suffered due to hazing, pursuing justice means more than recounting a traumatic story. It requires meticulously building a legal case, gathering compelling evidence, understanding the full scope of recoverable damages, and implementing a strategic approach. At Attorney911, we specialize in these complex investigations, turning deeply personal tragedies into powerful arguments for accountability.

Evidence: The Cornerstones of a Hazing Case

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and quantity of evidence. Unlike past generations where hazing was more easily dismissed as “he-said-she-said,” technology has transformed evidence collection.

• Digital Communications: The Most Critical Category

  • Group Messaging Apps: In 2025, group chats are the #1 source of hazing evidence. Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS group texts, Discord, and even fraternity/sorority-specific apps are where hazing is planned, coordinated, and documented. These messages reveal intent, coercion, specific instructions, and the general culture of the organization. Screenshots, with full context, timestamps, and participant names visible, are invaluable.
  • Social Media Evidence: Instagram posts (including stories and DMs), Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, and Facebook communications frequently capture hazing in action or reveal consequences. Photos, videos, and even comments can show injuries, humiliating acts, forced drinking, and the location of events. It’s crucial to preserve this content immediately, as stories vanish and posts can be deleted.

• Photos & Videos: Beyond social media, direct photos and videos are paramount.

  • Injuries: Immediate photographs of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) from multiple angles, ideally with a ruler or coin for scale, and then re-photographed over several days to show healing progression, are vital.
  • Locations & Events: Videos of hazing in progress, or photos of the venues (on- or off-campus houses, retreats), can provide incontrovertible proof. Even images of paddles, empty alcohol bottles, or other props used in hazing are important.

• Internal Organization Documents: These can be difficult to obtain without legal intervention but are powerful. They include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, rules for new members, and internal communications (emails between officers, texts planning events). These documents can reveal that hazing was systemic or part of an established “tradition.”

• University Records: Through subpoena and public records requests, university files can show a pattern of negligence. This includes prior conduct files on the same chapter (previous hazing violations, probations, suspensions), campus police incident reports, Clery Act reports (showing broader safety issues), and Title IX complaints (if applicable). Internal emails among administrators discussing the organization can sometimes reveal knowledge of issues that were not adequately addressed.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the harm. Emergency room visit reports, hospitalization records, lab results (e.g., blood alcohol content, kidney function for rhabdomyolysis), imaging (X-rays, CT scans), and follow-up treatment notes are critical for establishing physical injuries. Psychological evaluations and therapy records documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health impacts are essential for emotional damages. Telling medical providers how the injury occurred is crucial for proper documentation.

• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges, active members, roommates, RAs, coaches, or even bystanders can corroborate the victim’s story. Former members who have left the organization can be particularly valuable, as they may be free from current pressures to remain silent.

Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

Damages: Recovering What Was Lost

When hazing inflicts harm, the law provides avenues to recover various categories of damages, aiming to restore the victim (or their family) to the position they would have been in had the hazing not occurred.

• Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

  • Medical Expenses: This covers all past costs (ER visits, ambulance, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy) and future estimated costs for ongoing treatment, psychological counseling, and potentially lifelong care for catastrophic injuries (as seen in cases like Danny Santulli’s).
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: This includes wages lost if a student had to leave school or was unable to work. More significantly, if injuries lead to permanent disability or a delay in education (like losing scholarships or delaying graduation), economists can calculate the diminished future earning capacity over a lifetime.
  • Other Direct Losses: Property damage incurred during hazing, or even costs associated with transferring to a different university if the trauma makes returning impossible, can be included.

• Non-Economic Damages (Subjective, Legally Compensable Harm):

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Compensation for the actual physical pain endured, both immediate and long-term.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This is a major component in hazing cases, covering severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, and the profound psychological impact of abuse. Psychological evaluations are vital here.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the inability to engage in activities previously enjoyed, the withdrawal from social life, and the general impairment of the quality of life the victim would have otherwise experienced.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the tragic event of a hazing-related death, families in Indiana can pursue a wrongful death claim. This compensates for:

  • Funeral and Burial Costs.
  • Loss of Financial Support: Calculated based on the deceased’s potential lifetime earnings and support they would have provided.
  • Loss of Companionship, Love, and Society: Compensates for the profound emotional void left in the lives of close family members (parents, children, spouse, and in some cases, siblings).
  • Grief and Emotional Suffering: For the deep emotional pain experienced by the surviving family members due to the tragic and often sudden loss.

• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases where defendants acted with extreme recklessness, malice, or callous indifference (e.g., ignoring repeated warnings, actively covering up incidents, or engaging in particularly brutal hazing), courts may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendants and deter similar conduct in the future.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases are further complicated by the multiple layers of potential defendants and their respective insurance coverage.

• Institutional Defendants: National fraternities/sororities and universities almost always carry substantial liability insurance policies. These policies are designed to cover claims of negligence. However, insurers will often try to argue that hazing, particularly if it involves “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct,” falls under policy exclusions.
• Individual Defendants: While individual students involved in hazing may have personal liability, their financial resources and individual insurance (like homeowner’s or renter’s policies) are often limited.
• Skilled Legal Navigation: Attorney911 specializes in identifying all potential sources of recovery. This includes scrutinizing national organization and university insurance policies, challenging unjust exclusions, and leveraging the firm’s in-depth understanding of how these powerful entities (and their insurers) operate. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is crucial for navigating fraternity and university insurance coverage disputes.

Legal Strategy: A Coordinated Approach

Building a successful hazing case requires a coordinated and thorough legal strategy.

• Discovery: This legal process allows attorneys to compel defendants to provide documents, internal communications, and witness testimonies, often revealing patterns of prior warnings and inadequate responses.
• Expert Witnesses: We work with medical and psychological experts to establish the full extent of physical and emotional damages, digital forensics experts to recover deleted online evidence, and economists to calculate long-term financial losses.
• Negotiation & Litigation: While many cases settle out of court (often confidentially), Attorney911 prepares every case for trial. This readiness is key to demonstrating strength and achieving maximum results.

The aim is always to achieve justice for our clients—not just financial compensation, but also accountability from all responsible parties and reforms that prevent future tragedies.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing strikes, families in Indiana are often left disoriented and unsure where to turn. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance for parents, students, and witnesses, as well as answers to common legal questions.

8.1 For Parents: Your Role in Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

As an Indiana parent, you are often your child’s first line of defense. Here’s what you need to know:

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be attuned to changes in your child.

  • Physical: Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns), extreme fatigue, persistent illness, significant weight changes, or obvious sleep deprivation. Be wary of vague or inconsistent explanations for these issues.
  • Behavioral/Emotional: Sudden secrecy about organizational activities, withdrawal from family or old friends, drastic mood swings (anxiety, depression, irritability), increased defensiveness when asked about the group, or expressions of fear about “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down.”
  • Academic: A noticeable drop in grades, missed classes, or a decline in academic performance.
  • Financial: Sudden, unexplained requests for money, or large, unusual expenses for the organization or its members.
  • Digital: Excessive phone use for group chats at all hours, immediate anxiety when their phone buzzes, or secretive phone behavior.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment. Start with open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with [group name]?” or “Is there anything about joining that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, far above any group affiliation. Reassure them you will support them, regardless of their choices or what they’ve been through.

• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Take photos of any injuries, collect names and contact information of potential witnesses, and write down everything your child tells you while the details are fresh.

• Dealing with the University: Document every interaction with university officials, including dates, names, and summaries of conversations. Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what the school has done to prevent hazing. Recognize that the university’s primary goal may be internal resolution, which may not align with your family’s pursuit of full accountability.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child experiences significant physical or psychological harm or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, contact an experienced Indiana hazing attorney immediately. Evidence vanishes quickly, and legal counsel can help secure crucial information.

8.2 For Students/Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

If you’re an Indiana student feeling trapped or unsafe, remember: you have rights, and help is available.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask yourself: Am I being forced to do something I don’t want to do? Would I do this if I had a real choice, without fear of exclusion or punishment? Does this activity endanger my health, humiliate me, or exploit me? Am I told to keep secrets or lie about this to others? If the answer is yes to any of these, it’s hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not true consent.

• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The law, particularly Indiana’s hazing statute, understands the power dynamics. The desire to belong, fear of social exclusion, and intimidation from older members can negate true consent. You are not to blame for being hazed.

• Exiting and Reporting Safely: If you want to leave or feel unsafe, you have the right to do so. Inform a trusted adult outside the organization (parent, RA, professor). If you fear retaliation, immediately report your concerns to the Dean of Students or campus police. You can also anonymously report hazing through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.

• Good-Faith Reporting & Amnesty: Indiana law and most university policies (including those at IU, Purdue, and Ball State) offer some form of immunity or amnesty for students who call for help in a medical emergency, even if they were consuming alcohol underage or were involved in the hazing themselves. Your life, and the lives of others, are more important than potential university discipline.

8.3 For Former Members/Witnesses: Your Role in Accountability

If you were once a member of an organization where hazing occurred, or witnessed it, you have a vital role to play.

• Prevent Future Harm: Your testimony can be crucial in preventing similar incidents and ensuring that organizations are held accountable. You can help save other students from enduring what you or others experienced.
• Confidentiality: While you may fear reprisal, an attorney can help ensure your privacy and safety. They can advise you on your rights and obligations, and how to provide information securely.
• Moral Imperative: Coming forward, even anonymously, can be a profound act of courage and conscience. Your cooperation can turn the tide in an investigation and ensure justice.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Hazing cases are challenging, and errors in the initial stages can severely compromise your ability to seek justice. Avoid these common pitfalls:

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
   • Why it’s wrong: Looks like a cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
   • Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses
   • What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

   • What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
   • Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility; can waive privilege
   • What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

   • What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
   • Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that hurt the case
   • What to do instead: Once you’re considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer

6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs, university controls narrative
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately; university process ≠ real accountability

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
   • Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and say, “My attorney will contact you”

Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) explains additional errors to avoid.

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Indiana?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like Indiana University or Purdue University, sovereign immunity in Indiana can pose a challenge, though exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and certain federal civil rights violations. Private universities like Notre Dame or the University of Indianapolis have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-dependent, so contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Indiana?”
  Generally, hazing in Indiana is a Class C misdemeanor. However, it escalates to a Class B misdemeanor if it results in serious bodily injury. While not yet a felony as in some other states, the legal consequences for individuals in Indiana can still include jail time and significant fines.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Indiana law generally recognizes that “consent” given under duress, fear of exclusion, or intense peer pressure in hazing situations is not true voluntary consent. Your legal rights are not automatically forfeited because of initial “agreement.”

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Indiana?”
  Generally, personal injury lawsuits in Indiana have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death. However, this period can be extended under certain conditions, such as if the harm wasn’t immediately discovered (discovery rule), or if the victim was a minor. Time is critical as evidence disappears quickly. For more details on the statute of limitations, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of hazing does not necessarily absolve organizations or universities of responsibility. If an event is directly related to organizational activities—even if off-campus—universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge of the activity, and foreseeability of harm.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Many hazing cases are settled confidentially before trial. While public lawsuits are court records, it’s often possible to negotiate terms that protect your child’s privacy. Our priority is to achieve justice while minimizing additional trauma to your family.

Safe Alternatives to Greek Life in Indiana

For students in Indiana seeking meaningful campus connections without hazing risks:

Campus Organizations (Hazing-Free Alternatives)

• Student Government: Leadership without pledging
• Academic Honor Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key, discipline-specific (legitimate honor societies do NOT haze)
• Career-Focused Groups: Pre-Law Society, Business Club, Engineering organizations
• Community Service: Circle K, Habitat for Humanity campus chapters
• Religious/Spiritual Groups: Campus ministry, interfaith organizations
• Cultural Organizations: Cultural centers, international student associations
• Club Sports & Intramural Athletics: Team camaraderie without hazing culture

Social Alternatives

• Residence hall communities and programming
• Academic study groups and tutoring programs
• Part-time campus employment
• Research assistant positions
• Volunteer opportunities (local food banks, tutoring programs)
• Campus recreation programs

What to Look for in ANY Organization
Before joining any group, students should verify:

• ☑️ Clear written anti-hazing policy
• ☑️ Faculty or staff advisor actively involved
• ☑️ Transparent membership process with no “secret” phases
• ☑️ No “pledging” period with undisclosed activities
• ☑️ Open meetings you can observe before committing
• ☑️ Current members willing to discuss experiences honestly

Red Flags to Avoid

• 🚩 “What happens here stays here” culture
• 🚩 Excessive time demands that affect academics
• 🚩 Required alcohol consumption at events
• 🚩 “New member education” with vague descriptions
• 🚩 Sleep deprivation expectations
• 🚩 Financial demands beyond standard dues

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When hazing leaves its devastating mark on an Indiana family, you need a legal team that understands the gravity of the situation and knows how to fight powerful institutions. You need more than just a general personal injury lawyer; you need advocates who have experience in high-stakes litigation and a deep understanding of how fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies operate.

At Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique combination of expertise and empathy to hazing cases. From our primary office in Houston, Texas, we serve families throughout Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, and across the state, ensuring that the critical legal battles are fought with the highest level of competence and dedication.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

We open every hazing case investigation with a clear understanding: this isn’t just about an isolated incident; it’s about systemic failures. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings an invaluable perspective. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies evaluate (and undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and confidential settlement strategies because “we know their playbook—we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is a formidable asset for your family’s case.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Led by Ralph Manginello, Attorney911 is no stranger to taking on formidable opponents. Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, a complex federal case against one of the world’s largest corporations. This experience, coupled with our federal court admission (U.S. District Court) and more than 25 years of practice, means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, large university systems, or their aggressive defense teams. We’ve proven we can go toe-to-toe with powerful defendants and win.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Hazing too often results in catastrophic injuries or tragic death. Attorney911 has a proven track record of handling wrongful death and severe personal injury cases, securing multi-million dollar results for families. We understand how to work with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities, and we meticulously build cases that demand full accountability. Our wrongful death page (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/) details our commitment to such cases.

• Dual Civil and Criminal Expertise: Hazing can lead to both civil lawsuits and criminal charges. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) underscores our understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual capability allows us to strategically advise on both tracks, a crucial advantage in multi-faceted hazing cases. Our criminal defense experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) means we advise on criminal exposure, not just civil liability.

• Investigative Depth and Modern Evidence Collection: We understand that hazing evidence lives in the digital realm. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted group chats, social media messages, and other crucial electronic evidence. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records showing prior incidents and force universities to release files through discovery. We build investigations like your child’s future depends on it—because it does. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document a legal case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) provides valuable initial guidance.

We approach every case with empathy, knowing this is one of the hardest things an Indiana family can face. Our goal is clear: get you answers, hold all responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We believe in thorough investigation and unwavering advocacy.

Call to Action for Indiana Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Indiana university—be it Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University, Ball State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Indianapolis, or any other institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Indiana and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to what happened without judgment, explain your legal options under Indiana and federal law, and help you decide on the best path forward. Our contingency fee structure means we don’t get paid unless we win your case, removing any financial barrier to seeking justice. Learn more about how contingency fees work in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story empathetically.
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
• Explain your legal options, including criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, or both.
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations for your case.
• Answer your questions about costs and the legal process.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, West Lafayette, or any other community in Indiana, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: For consultation in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Indiana attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas. Serving families throughout Indiana.
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com