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Hazing in Blanco County: Legal Answers & Action Plan for Texas Families

The quiet beauty of Blanco County, nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, offers a serene backdrop to raise families and build communities. Yet, the promise of higher education often draws young people far from home, to campuses across the Lone Star State and beyond. Imagine a phone call late at night – not from your child sharing exciting news, but a frantic plea or, worse, a call from a hospital. Your child, a bright, hopeful student from Blanco County, has been seriously injured, not in an accident, but during a fraternity initiation, a grueling athletic team “bonding” event, or a dangerous club activity. They were forced to drink until they blacked out, subjected to brutal physical abuse, or humiliated to the point of psychological trauma. Others stood by, or actively participated, too afraid to intervene. Now, weeks later, the physical wounds may be healing, but the emotional scars run deep, and your family is left grappling with how this could have happened.

This terrifying scenario, sadly, is not hypothetical. It’s a reality that Texas families face every year, from the sprawling campuses of the University of Houston and UT Austin to the traditions-rich grounds of Texas A&M and the private institutions like Baylor and SMU. As parents, you send your children off to college expecting them to return safely, enriched by education and new experiences. You do not expect them to be subjected to illegal, dangerous, and often life-threatening rituals disguised as “tradition.”

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Blanco County and across Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The intricacies of Texas and federal laws designed to combat hazing.
• How major national hazing cases have shaped the legal landscape and what they mean for Texas families.
• The specific challenges and hazing patterns observed at top Texas universities: University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.
• The histories of national fraternities and sororities, serving as critical context for local chapter conduct.
• Your legal options, rights, and responsibilities if your child has been subjected to hazing in Blanco County or at any Texas institution.

We understand that you’re seeking answers, justice, and accountability. This article provides general information, not specific legal advice. However, if your family is grappling with the devastating impact of hazing, The Manginello Law Firm is here to provide confidential, experienced legal counsel.

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 Blanco County families, understanding hazing today requires looking beyond the old movies of “Animal House” antics. Modern hazing can be far more insidious, dangerous, and often difficult to detect. It’s not just a rite of passage; it’s a criminal act that endangers physical and mental health.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

At its core, hazing, under Texas law and across the nation, is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by an individual or a group, directed against a student, that:

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

Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal. The law recognizes that consent given under duress, intense peer pressure, or the fear of exclusion is not true and voluntary consent. The power imbalance inherent in new member processes often negates any genuine choice a student might perceive they have.

Main Categories of Hazing

Modern hazing manifests in many forms, each designed to assert dominance, instill fear, or coerce conformity.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is the deadliest form of hazing. It involves forcing or pressuring new members to consume dangerous quantities of alcohol or other substances. This can include competitive drinking games, “lineups” where pledges are forced to quickly down multiple shots, “bottle exchanges” where dangerous liquor is gifted and expected to be consumed, or “Big/Little” events where new members must finish entire bottles of spirits. The goal is often to induce extreme intoxication, leading to alcohol poisoning, injury, or even death.

• Physical Hazing: This category involves any act that physically harms or overexerts a new member. Examples include severe beatings or paddling, forced calisthenics (known as “smokings” or “hell sessions”) until exhaustion or collapse, sleep deprivation over multiple days, or food and water deprivation. Students may be subjected to extreme cold or heat, or placed in dangerous environments. The recent San Diego State Phi Kappa Psi case where a pledge was set on fire during a skit, and the Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon case where pledges suffered chemical burns from industrial cleaner, tragically illustrate the violent extremes of physical hazing.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts are deeply degrading and psychologically damaging. They can include forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, wearing degrading or revealing costumes, or performing sexually suggestive rituals (such as the “elephant walk” or “roasted pig” positions). Some hazing involves explicit acts of racial, homophobic, or sexist abuse through slurs, role-playing stereotypes, or forcing individuals to perform degrading acts due to their identity.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but profoundly damaging, psychological hazing involves acts that cause severe emotional distress. This can manifest as verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, intense intimidation, or gaslighting. New members might be manipulated into confessing personal secrets, subjected to public shaming sessions, or constantly belittled to break their spirit.

• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly evolving frontier. Digital hazing leverages technology for new forms of control and humiliation. This includes constant demands in group chats or direct messages requiring immediate responses at all hours, public dares or challenges on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, and sharing embarrassing or compromising photos and videos. New members might be forced to install location-tracking apps like Find My Friends, creating a 24/7 surveillance state that invades their privacy and prevents them from escaping the hazing environment.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to the stereotypes of fraternity houses. While Greek life remains a significant arena for hazing, it pervades many other student organizations across Texas campuses.

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes social fraternities (Interfraternity Council), sororities (Panhellenic Council), historically Black Greek letter organizations (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations. Pressure to maintain “tradition” and cultivate loyalty within these groups can unfortunately lead to dangerous rituals.

• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: Organizations with hierarchical structures and military affiliations, such as the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, can be breeding grounds for hazing justified under the guise of “discipline” or “earning your keep.”

• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to swimming, soccer, cheerleading, and even club sports, hazing can be prevalent. The drive for team cohesion and the perceived need to “toughen up” new recruits often leads to abusive practices. The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025), alleging widespread sexualized and racist hazing, is a stark reminder that this problem exists even in major athletic programs.

• Spirit Squads, Band, and Performance Groups: Marching bands, cheerleading squads, dance teams, and university spirit organizations have all documented hazing incidents. The focus on unity and tradition can sometimes mask harmful initiation rituals. In Texas, the University of Texas’s Texas Cowboys spirit group has faced hazing allegations.

• Other Student Organizations: Even academic honor societies, service clubs, and cultural organizations can sometimes engage in hazing. Any group with a hierarchical structure and an “initiation” process carries a potential risk.

The common threads across all these environments are social status, tradition, power dynamics, and a code of silence. These factors allow hazing to persist, often in plain sight, even when universities and national organizations explicitly prohibit it. Blanco County parents must understand that no organization is immune, and vigilance is key.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for Blanco County families seeking justice. We navigate both state and federal statutes to hold individuals and institutions accountable.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear statutory provisions against hazing, primarily outlined in the Texas Education Code. These laws aim to deter hazing and provide avenues for prosecution and institutional response.

• What Hazing Means Under Texas Law: The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

  This means that if someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they either intended for harm to occur or were reckless about the potential for harm, that constitutes hazing under Texas law. This applies whether the act causes physical harm (e.g., beatings, forced calisthenics, excessive alcohol consumption) or mental distress (e.g., extreme humiliation, isolation, intimidation).

• Criminal Penalties for Hazing (Texas Education Code § 37.152):

  • Class B Misdemeanor: The default classification for hazing. This can result in up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical attention.
  • State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This is a critical distinction, escalating the severity of criminal consequences significantly for severe cases, including those resulting from alcohol poisoning or severe physical abuse.

  Additionally, individuals who are members or officers of organizations and fail to report hazing they know about can face misdemeanor charges. Retaliation against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

• Organizational Liability (Texas Education Code § 37.153): Organizations themselves can be held criminally responsible for hazing. A fraternity, sorority, club, or team can face criminal prosecution if:

  • The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
  • An officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it.
  • Penalties for organizations can include fines up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke their recognition and ban them from campus.

• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Texas Education Code § 37.154): To encourage reporting, Texas law provides immunity for individuals who, in good faith, report a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement. This means they cannot be held civilly or criminally liable simply for making the report. Additionally, good-faith reporter laws often provide amnesty in medical emergencies for students who call 911, even if underage drinking or other minor offenses were part of the event.

• Consent Not a Defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155): This is one of the most important aspects of Texas hazing law. It explicitly states that it is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity. This provision directly addresses the common defense often used by perpetrators, highlighting the law’s recognition that true consent cannot exist in a coercive hazing environment.

• Reporting by Educational Institutions (Texas Education Code § 37.156): Texas colleges and universities have a legal obligation to:

  • Provide hazing prevention education to students.
  • Promote clear anti-hazing policies.
  • And most importantly, publish annual reports of hazing violations, detailing the organizations involved, the nature of the misconduct, and the disciplinary actions taken. These reports, like the one maintained by UT Austin, are invaluable public records for families.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Two Paths to Justice

It’s vital for Blanco County families to understand that hazing can lead to two distinct legal processes: criminal prosecution and civil litigation. These can occur simultaneously and serve different purposes.

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (Texas, in this instance) through prosecutors. The primary goal is to punish those who broke the law. In hazing incidents, prosecutors might pursue:

  • Hazing offenses as defined by the Texas Education Code.
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors, particularly common in alcohol-related hazing.
  • Assault, aggravated assault, or even manslaughter if serious injury or death occurs.
  • Obstruction of justice or tampering with evidence if cover-ups are attempted.

• Civil Cases: These are initiated by the victims or their surviving family members (the plaintiffs). The primary goal is to obtain monetary compensation for the harm suffered and to achieve accountability from those responsible. Civil cases in hazing litigation often focus on:

  • Negligence or gross negligence by individuals who directly inflicted harm.
  • Wrongful death when hazing results in a fatality.
  • Negligent supervision or negligent retention by the university, national fraternity, or local chapter if they failed to adequately oversee student activities.
  • Premises liability if the hazing occurred on property where dangers were known or should have been known.
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress or assault/battery.

A crucial point for Blanco County families is that a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The burden of proof is different (lower for civil cases, requiring a “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt”), meaning a civil case can succeed even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction.

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

Beyond state laws, federal regulations also impact how universities (especially those receiving federal funding) must address hazing.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal law is designed to increase transparency and accountability for hazing on college campuses nationwide. It mandates that institutions receiving federal student aid:

  • Publicly report hazing incidents, including details about the organizations involved and the disciplinary actions taken.
  • Implement comprehensive hazing prevention programs.
  • And collect and publicly disclose anonymous hazing data. These requirements are being phased in by 2026 and will provide Blanco County families with unprecedented access to information about hazing on campuses.

• Title IX: If hazing involves sex-based harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, it can fall under Title IX. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding. Universities have specific obligations to investigate and address such complaints, regardless of location.

• Clery Act: This federal law requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol- or drug-related offenses, or sexual misconduct often overlap with Clery Act reporting requirements, ensuring a level of transparency regarding campus safety.

The confluence of Texas state law and federal regulations creates a robust, albeit complex, framework for addressing hazing. Navigating these laws and holding responsible parties accountable requires experienced legal counsel.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

The tragic deaths and devastating injuries caused by hazing across the United States are not isolated incidents; they reveal predictable, and therefore preventable, patterns of abuse. These national anchor cases, though occurring outside of Texas, have shaped the legal landscape, influenced legislation, and provide critical context for Blanco County families facing similar situations today.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The vast majority of hazing-related deaths are due to forced or excessive alcohol consumption. The scripts are tragically similar: pledges pressured to drink rapidly and extensively, often to “bond” or “earn their letters,” with older members sometimes delaying medical help due to fear of repercussions.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (February 2017):
  Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after a “bid acceptance” event involving rapid, forced alcohol consumption. Fraternity brothers captured his numerous falls and deteriorating condition on surveillance video, but waited nearly 12 hours before calling 911. The delay in medical care proved fatal. This case led to over 1,000 criminal charges against 18 fraternity members (including involuntary manslaughter), and a new, comprehensive Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. The family’s civil litigation resulted in confidential settlements. This case is a stark reminder that extreme intoxication, delayed medical intervention, and a pervasive culture of silence are deadly.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (November 2017):
  Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during Pi Kappa Phi’s “Big Brother Night.” Pledges were given bottles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. This tragedy led to criminal charges against several fraternity members and a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU. Coffey’s death, along with others, spurred Florida to enact tougher anti-hazing legislation, often referred to as the Chad Meredith Law. It tragically highlights how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (September 2017):
  Max Gruver, a freshman pledge, died after participating in a “Bible Study” drinking game, where incorrect answers led to forced consumption of high-proof alcohol. His blood-alcohol content was 0.495% at the time of his death. Multiple fraternity members were charged, and one was convicted of negligent homicide. This case directly led to the enactment of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, a felony hazing statute with significant penalties. The family’s civil suit resulted in a $6.1 million verdict against certain defendants and confidential settlements with others. This underscores how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (March 2021):
  Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” initiation. The event, held in a private off-campus residence, saw pledges being instructed to drink profusely. Multiple fraternity members were convicted of hazing-related charges. The Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with $7 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national organization and an additional $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This demonstrates that universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities, and individuals like chapter president Daylen Dunson can face millions in personal liability. The case also led to Collin’s Law: The Anti-Hazing Act in Ohio, making hazing a second-degree misdemeanor and a third-degree felony when alcohol/drugs cause physical harm.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physically brutal and ritualized hazing can also lead to catastrophic injury or death.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (December 2013):
  Michael Deng, a pledge for Pi Delta Psi, died during an off-campus “hazing retreat” in the Pocono Mountains. He was blindfolded, forced to wear a backpack filled with sand, and repeatedly tackled during a ritual known as “the glass ceiling.” Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for over an hour, moving his body and changing his clothes to conceal the hazing. Multiple members were convicted, and, in a landmark decision, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, fined over $110,000, and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This case proves that off-campus “retreats” are not immune from legal scrutiny, and national organizations can be held directly liable.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; athletic teams can also foster dangerous environments.

• Northwestern University Football Scandal (2023–2025):
  Dozens of former Northwestern football players came forward alleging a culture of widespread sexualized, racist, and physically abusive hazing within the program spanning multiple decades. Allegations included forced sexual acts, racial discrimination, and physically brutal rituals designed to “punish” players. The scandal led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who subsequently filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the university and later settled confidentially. Multiple players filed federal lawsuits against Northwestern. This ongoing situation highlights that hazing can be deeply embedded in major athletic programs, transcending Greek life, and raising serious questions about institutional oversight and accountability.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies, far from being distant headlines, have profoundly shaped how Blanco County families and Attorney911 approach hazing incidents in Texas.

• Common Threads of Danger: Noticeable patterns emerge: forced drinking, extreme humiliation, physical violence, conscious efforts to delay medical care, and systematic cover-ups. These elements are not unique to any one state or school; they are universal markers of dangerous hazing.
• Accountability Through Litigation: In nearly every instance, multi-million-dollar settlements or significant verdicts were achieved, sometimes only after prolonged litigation. This compensation, though it cannot replace a life, can ensure ongoing care for severely injured victims, cover financial losses for families, and create legacies of advocacy through foundations and anti-hazing initiatives.
• Legislative Impact: These cases have directly inspired tougher anti-hazing laws. Just as Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Law and Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, the pressure for accountability has strengthened federal oversight with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024).
• Foreseeability for Institutions: When a university or national organization continues to overlook or inadequately address hazing, especially when similar incidents have led to deaths or severe injuries elsewhere, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to claim such tragedies were “unforeseeable.” This pattern evidence is central to our legal strategy.

Blanco County families facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are not alone. The legal framework and the precedents set by these national cases provide powerful tools for seeking justice and holding responsible parties accountable here in Texas.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Families across Blanco County often send their children to Texas’s leading universities, drawn by their academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and rich traditions. However, even at these esteemed institutions, the shadow of hazing can loom large. When hazing occurs at flagship universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, it underscores a systemic issue that impacts students and parents throughout Texas, including our community in Blanco County.

We represent families who have faced the devastating consequences of hazing, including a prominent case currently unfolding against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. This section provides an overview of the hazing landscape at these five major Texas universities, highlighting their unique cultures, policies, and documented incidents.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a Tier One research institution, is a vibrant, diverse urban campus serving over 47,000 students. Located in the heart of Houston, it’s a popular choice for students from Blanco County and across Texas seeking a dynamic city experience. Its Greek life is active, with numerous Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and culturally-based fraternities and sororities.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH has a bustling campus with a mix of residential and commuter students. Its Greek life is a prominent part of student culture, alongside numerous other student organizations, athletic teams, and spirit groups. Many Blanco County families consider UH for its strong academic programs and proximity to Houston’s professional opportunities. Cases originating at UH often involve the jurisdiction of Houston city courts and the Harris County legal system.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that aligns with Texas state law. It prohibits any act that causes mental or physical harm for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes acts that occur on or off campus, and specifically bans forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, physical abuse, and any form of mental anguish. UH provides multiple reporting channels through its Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). Some disciplinary actions are publicly posted on the university’s website.

5.1.3 The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Current Anchor

The Manginello Law Firm currently represents Leonel Bermudez in a prominent $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, its Board of Regents, the national Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, its housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case, filed in late November 2025, serves as a critical example of the severe harm that hazing can inflict and the extensive legal action required for justice.

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student and pledge of Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis from alleged prolonged and brutal hazing. His urine turned brown, a classic symptom of severe muscle breakdown. He was hospitalized for four days, facing ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The lawsuit alleges a litany of hazing acts, including:

• Forced physical torture: Bermudez and other pledges were made to perform over 100 push-ups and 500 squats on November 3, 2025, leaving him unable to stand.
• Degrading rituals: Pledges were forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices 24/7, under threat of expulsion if they failed.
• Extreme exposure: Pledges were forced to participate in dawn and late-night workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park in Houston, including sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races, even in cold weather and in their underwear.
• Humiliation and abuse: Allegations include forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, after which they were immediately forced into sprints. There were instances of pledges being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in their mouth for extended periods, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding.
• Servitude: Pledges were subjected to hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews under threat of expulsion, and overnight driving duties.

The fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, which had its charter surrendered on November 14, 2025, due to the allegations, reportedly held these hazing sessions at its house and a separate residence on Culmore Drive. The University of Houston released a statement calling the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and pledged cooperation with law enforcement and disciplinary action up to expulsion for individuals involved. Our firm, Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, is committed to bringing this case to light. As Ralph Manginello stated, “His urine was brown… We’re almost in 2026. This has to stop.” Lupe Peña added, “If this prevents harm to another person… Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” (Source: Click2Houston, https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/). For more details, see also ABC13 (https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/) and Hoodline (https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/).

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

A hazing case at UH, particularly one as severe as the Bermudez case, involves multiple layers. Because the alleged hazing occurred in Houston, the Houston Police Department (HPD) and Harris County District Attorney’s Office may be involved in criminal investigations. Civil lawsuits will navigate the Harris County court system. Potential defendants include the involved individuals, the local chapter itself, the national fraternity, and the university. Our firm’s involvement in this ongoing, high-profile case demonstrates our capacity to handle complex litigation against powerful institutions right here in Houston.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

• Report Immediately: If you suspect hazing, report it to the UH Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, or UHPD. You can also use the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Document Thoroughly: Screenshot all group chats, text messages, photos, and videos. Record verbal instructions or threats if legally permissible (Texas is a one-party consent state for recording conversations you are a part of).
• Seek Legal Counsel: Contact a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases, particularly those experienced with institutional negligence. An attorney can help uncover prior discipline and internal files that may exist within UH or the national fraternity.
• Prioritize Safety First: Always prioritize medical attention for injuries over concerns of getting the organization “in trouble.”

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a storied institution in College Station, is known for its deep traditions, strong Aggie spirit, and the prominence of its Corps of Cadets. Many Blanco County families have children attending or aspiring to attend Texas A&M, a journey of approximately 110 miles from Blanco County to College Station, making it a significant regional university. Its Greek life is robust, and the Corps of Cadets is a central aspect of campus culture.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M embodies a unique blend of military tradition, academic rigor, and a passionate student body. The Corps of Cadets, a four-year military training program, influences much of campus life and traditions. Greek life is also very active, providing another prominent social and leadership outlet. The “Aggie Family” ethos extends to many Blanco County families who are deeply connected to the university. Hazing cases here can involve Brazos County courts and the local College Station Police Department.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M, like all state universities, has a strict anti-hazing policy aligned with Texas Education Code. It prohibits any behavior that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for initiation or membership purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, forced exercise, alcohol abuse, or any humiliating acts. A&M actively promotes reporting through its Student Conduct Office, the Corps of Cadets leadership, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMUPD). The university is also mandated to publish its hazing violations online.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced investigations into hazing in both its large Greek system and the Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hazing Lawsuit (circa 2021): This case involved two pledges who alleged they were subjected to brutal hazing, including being smeared with industrial-strength cleaner, eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The plaintiffs sued the fraternity for $1 million, leading to the chapter’s suspension by the university.
• Alumni & Corps of Cadets Hazing (2023 Lawsuit): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps, including being subjected to simulated sexual acts and tied up in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit alleged that this hazing spanned decades, leading to a culture of cover-ups. This case highlights how deep-seated traditions, even within military-style organizations, can become fertile ground for hazing. This follows a long history, including the 1984 death of Corps Cadet Bruce Dean Goodrich from heatstroke during strenuous exercises at 2:30 a.m., which resulted in hazing convictions against multiple cadets.
• Aggie Bonfire Collapse (1999): While not traditional hazing, the tragic collapse of the student-run Aggie Bonfire, which killed 12 and injured 27, raised critical questions about student-led high-risk activities and institutional oversight. Multiple lawsuits against university officials resulted in settlements exceeding $6 million in total, highlighting the university’s responsibility for student activities, even traditional ones. Though this incident wasn’t related to initiation, it shows the stakes involved in student-organized events.

5.2.4 How a Hazing Case at Texas A&M Might Proceed

Given Texas A&M’s status as a public university, hazing cases can be complex. While state universities benefit from some degree of sovereign immunity, exceptions exist, particularly in cases of gross negligence or when suing individuals. Cases may involve Brazos County courts and TAMUPD. Litigation against A&M could also involve the Bryan or College Station police departments, depending on whether the incident occurred on or off campus, respectively. The involvement of the Corps often adds another layer of complexity, drawing attention to military codes of conduct and leadership accountability.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand the Policies: Familiarize yourself with A&M’s student conduct code and the Corps’ specific regulations regarding hazing.
• Report Concerns: Utilize the university’s official reporting channels, including the Dean of Students, TAMUPD, or the Corps leadership.
• Document Everything: Keep a meticulous record of any suspicious activities, communications (digital or otherwise), and injuries.
• Seek Experienced Counsel: If hazing is suspected, contact an attorney with experience in hazing cases who understands the nuances of both Greek life and Corps culture at a public Texas university.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin is a flagship public university known for its academic rigor, vibrant campus life, and passionate student body. Located approximately 70 miles southeast of Blanco County, many families in our community are connected to UT. Its Greek system is one of the largest in the state, and its traditions, such as the Texas Cowboys, are deeply ingrained in campus culture.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is a sprawling campus in the heart of the state capital, offering diverse opportunities. Greek life is highly visible and influential. The university actively monitors and reports hazing through its publicly accessible “Hazing Violations” webpage, a key tool for transparency.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin maintains a comprehensive anti-hazing policy, strictly adhering to Texas law. It defines hazing broadly to include any mental or physical endangerment for initiation into or maintenance of membership in any student organization. The university provides a dedicated online portal for hazing reports, in addition to reporting options through the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Crucially, UT’s transparent public reporting of hazing violations distinguishes it from many other institutions and provides valuable pattern evidence.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations webpage reveals a consistent pattern of hazing incidents across various organizations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): This fraternity was sanctioned for hazing that included forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing prevention education, demonstrating a recurring problem with physical and forced-consumption hazing.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): This spirit organization was sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices designed to degrade new members. This highlights that hazing is not solely a Greek life issue but can extend to highly visible spirit and tradition groups.
• Other Greek and Non-Greek Organizations: UT’s public record shows numerous instances of fraternities, sororities, and other student groups being disciplined for alcohol-related hazing, sleep deprivation, physical endurance tests, and mental torment. The transparency, while commendable, also underscores the persistent challenge of hazing even at institutions with robust policies. Cases like the 1995 drowning death of Gabriel Higgins during a Texas Cowboys initiation after drinking games show clear historical patterns.

5.3.4 How a Hazing Case at UT Austin Might Proceed

Given UT Austin’s status as a public university, hazing cases often involve UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department. Civil actions would typically proceed through the Travis County court system. The university’s published hazing violations log is often a critical piece of evidence in civil suits, demonstrating a history of issues and the university’s knowledge of problematic organizations. This publicly available data can strongly support claims of a pattern of negligence or a failure to adequately address known risks.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

• Review Hazing Violations Page: Families should check UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations webpage for any history of misconduct by organizations their child wishes to join.
• Document and Report: Use the anonymous reporting forms or contact the Dean of Students or UTPD directly if hazing is suspected. Secure any digital or physical evidence immediately.
• Consult Legal Experts: An attorney with experience in Texas hazing law can effectively utilize UT’s public records to build a civil case, emphasizing repeated violations and institutional knowledge.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private university in Dallas, is known for its strong academics, competitive athletics, and a prominent Greek system. Its undergraduate body is heavily involved in fraternities and sororities, making hazing prevention a significant concern. Many Blanco County families have connections to SMU given its academic reputation and Dallas location, approximately 180 miles northeast of Blanco County.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU fosters a vibrant campus environment with a highly active Greek life that plays a central social role. The university prides itself on its strong alumni network and deeply ingrained traditions. The affluence of many students often means resources are available for off-campus events that can sometimes occur outside direct university oversight.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

As a private institution, SMU maintains its own comprehensive anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act (physical, mental, or otherwise) that humiliates, degrades, endangers, or risks mental or physical harm. SMU actively encourages reporting through its Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, the SMU Police Department, and an anonymous online reporting system called “Real Response.” Disciplinary actions taken against organizations and individuals are typically published internally and may be available publicly upon request.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has faced scrutiny and taken disciplinary action against several Greek organizations for hazing:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): This fraternity was suspended after investigations revealed allegations of forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse including paddling, and sleep deprivation during new member activities. The chapter faced restrictions on recruitment and social events for several years, illustrating the university’s zero-tolerance stance following proven violations.
• Ongoing Challenges: Despite policies, SMU has seen recurring hazing allegations and sanctions against various fraternities and sororities involving alcohol misuse, demeaning activities, and physical challenges. These ongoing issues reflect the persistent pressure within some Greek chapters to maintain “traditions” that fall squarely within the definition of hazing.

5.4.4 How a Hazing Case at SMU Might Proceed

As a private university, SMU does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it potentially more straightforward to pursue direct negligence claims against the institution itself, in addition to the individuals and the fraternity/sorority. Cases involving SMU would typically be filed in Dallas County courts. Our firm can conduct thorough discovery, which can be essential in uncovering internal university reports, communications, and prior incident reports that are not always made public by private institutions.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

• Be Aware: Review SMU’s anti-hazing policies and any public disciplinary records.
• Utilize Reporting Systems: Use SMU’s anonymous “Real Response” system or contact the Office of Student Conduct directly.
• Preserve Evidence: Secure any digital evidence, including group chats and social media posts, which can be critical for an investigation.
• Consult a Dallas Hazing Lawyer: Contact an attorney with a proven track record against private institutions to understand your rights and legal options in the Dallas County judicial system.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, is deeply rooted in its Christian mission and known for its strong academic and athletic programs. Located roughly 60 miles east of Blanco County, Baylor is a respected institution for many Texas families. However, it has also faced challenges with student conduct, including high-profile scandals involving sexual assault and, at times, hazing allegations.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s campus culture emphasizes a faith-based community and strong traditions, particularly within its athletic programs which enjoy national renown. While Greek life exists, it operates under different rules than some public universities, and other student organizations and athletic teams also play significant roles in social life. The university’s commitment to its mission influences its approach to student conduct.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University strictly prohibits hazing, articulating policies against any action that inflicts or intends to inflict physical or mental discomfort, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation or membership. Baylor’s policies often emphasize respect, integrity, and safety. Reports can be made through the Baylor Police Department, the Dean of Students Office, or an anonymous “EthicsPoint” hotline. Baylor is committed to transparency regarding violations, though the specific details of disciplinary actions may vary in public availability.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor’s history, marked by a significant sexual assault scandal that drew national attention, has led to increased scrutiny of all aspects of student safety and conduct, including hazing:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): An investigation into hazing allegations within the Baylor baseball program led to the suspension of 14 players. The staggered suspensions impacted the team’s early season and underlined that even established and respected athletic programs can fall prey to hazing. These incidents can encompass forced alcohol consumption, physical challenges, and demeaning tasks.
• Cultural Context: Baylor’s prior challenges with institutional responsibility in handling sexual assault complaints have put the university under a microscope. This history means any hazing allegations are likely to be met with intense internal and external pressure for accountability.

5.4.4 How a Hazing Case at Baylor Might Proceed

As a private institution, similar to SMU, Baylor University is directly amenable to lawsuits without the shield of sovereign immunity. Cases would typically be pursued in McLennan County courts. The firm’s deep understanding of how institutions like Baylor manage disciplinary issues, especially given past scandals, is crucial for effective litigation. This includes recognizing any patterns of prioritizing institutional image over student safety.

5.4.5 What Baylor University Students & Parents Should Do

• Prioritize Safety & Reporting: If hazing is suspected, utilize Baylor’s EthicsPoint hotline or report directly to the Dean of Students. Given past institutional issues, it is essential that all allegations are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
• Document Everything: Maintain records of all communications, events, and any injuries. Digital evidence is particularly valuable.
• Seek Independent Legal Advice: Due to the university’s complex history, Blanco County families should seek independent legal counsel from an attorney experienced in hazing and institutional negligence cases. Our goal is to ensure that your rights and your child’s safety are the top priority, separate from university internal processes.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When hazing occurs at a Texas university, it’s rarely an isolated incident confined to a single chapter. The local chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are often extensions of larger national organizations, each with its own history, policies, and, regrettably, sometimes a pattern of hazing incidents across the country. Understanding this broader context is vital for Blanco County families seeking accountability.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities, including those with chapters at our major Texas universities, are part of extensive national or international organizations. These national entities (headquarters) often:

• Develop extensive anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies: They do this not just out of goodwill, but because they have experienced or settled multi-million dollar lawsuits resulting from hazing-related deaths and catastrophic injuries at their chapters elsewhere.
• Are aware of common hazing patterns: National organizations know that certain “traditions”—such as forced drinking games, physical challenges, or demeaning rituals—are recurring scripts that lead to harm. They understand the patterns because they’ve seen them play out repeatedly.
• Collect dues and exercise some degree of oversight: This financial and organizational relationship gives them a duty to ensure local chapters comply with their national rules and state laws.

When a chapter in Texas repeats hazing behaviors that have caused harm or led to lawsuits at other chapters in other states, it directly contributes to proof of foreseeability and prior notice in a civil case. This means the national organization can’t credibly claim ignorance; they knew, or should have known, that such conduct could lead to harm. This “pattern evidence” is a powerful tool in supporting claims of negligence or even punitive damages against national entities.

6.2 Organization Mapping: From Local Chapters to National Patterns

At Attorney911, we track every IRS-registered Greek organization in Texas and monitor national hazing patterns to build robust cases. Below is an overview of some national fraternities and sororities with a significant presence at Texas universities, alongside their documented national hazing histories. Remember, we are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter has engaged in hazing unless explicitly stated in publicly available records or civil complaints. However, parents should be aware that the national organization’s history can be highly relevant in litigation against a local chapter.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• Major Incidents: Pi Kappa Alpha has a national history tragically linked to alcohol-related hazing. The Stone Foltz case (2021) at Bowling Green State University resulted in his death from alcohol poisoning after a “Big/Little” drinking ritual, leading to criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement with the family. The David Bogenberger case (2012) at Northern Illinois University also involved an alcohol poisoning death, resulting in a $14 million settlement. These cases demonstrate a pattern of dangerous alcohol consumption during initiations.
• Relevance to Texas: Chapters of Pi Kappa Alpha have a presence at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas universities. Given the national history, any allegations of forced alcohol consumption in Texas chapters would face intense scrutiny regarding foreseeability.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• Major Incidents: Sigma Alpha Epsilon has unfortunately been dubbed “America’s deadliest fraternity” by Bloomberg News due to multiple alcohol-related hazing deaths nationally. The fraternity famously (and controversially) eliminated “pledging” in 2014 in response to this tragic history.
  • Cal Poly (2008): The death of Carson Starkey from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink resulted in multi-million dollar confidential settlements and the creation of the Aware Awake Alive foundation.
  • University of Alabama (2023 Lawsuit): A pledge allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury during hazing, leading to an ongoing federal lawsuit against the fraternity alleging fraud, negligence, and assault.
  • Texas A&M (2021): Pledges suffered severe chemical burns after being doused with industrial cleaner during hazing, resulting in a lawsuit against the chapter and national.
  • University of Texas at Austin (2024 Lawsuit): An Australian exchange student suffered severe injuries including a dislocated leg, fractured tibia, and broken nose after an alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, with the chapter already suspended for prior hazing.
• Relevance to Texas: With chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas schools, local conduct is often scrutinized closely against this troubling national backdrop.

Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt)

• Major Incidents: Phi Delta Theta’s national history includes the highly publicized Max Gruver (2017) hazing death at Louisiana State University, resulting from a forced “Bible study” drinking game. This led to criminal convictions and the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
• Relevance to Texas: Phi Delta Theta chapters exist at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and others. Any allegations involving forced drinking games or similar practices in Texas would draw immediate parallels to the Gruver case.

Pi Kappa Phi (Pi Kapp)

• Major Incidents: Pi Kappa Phi has faced national scrutiny due to hazing deaths, including Andrew Coffey (2017) at Florida State University, who died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” This led to criminal charges and significant policy changes at FSU.
• Relevance to Texas: Our firm is actively litigating the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi ($10 million lawsuit, 2025) case, which involves alleged brutal hazing and has led to the permanent closure of UH’s Beta Nu chapter. This current Texas case connects directly to Pi Kappa Phi’s national history of hazing.

Kappa Alpha Order (KA)

• Major Incidents: Kappa Alpha Order has a history of hazing suspensions and incidents across the country. In 2017, the SMU chapter of Kappa Alpha Order faced a multi-year suspension due to allegations of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Relevance to Texas: Chapters at SMU, UT Austin, and other Texas schools regularly encounter challenges in balancing tradition with adherence to anti-hazing policies, especially given historical incidents.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

The documented national histories of these organizations are not just cautionary tales; they are crucial components of our legal strategy at Attorney911.

• Foreseeability: When a national organization has experienced multiple hazing-related deaths or serious injuries due to specific types of rituals (e.g., forced alcohol consumption at “Big/Little” events), it becomes exceptionally difficult for them to claim that a similar incident at a Texas chapter was “unforeseeable.” This establishes a legal burden of knowledge and responsibility.
• Pattern Evidence: Showing a pattern of similar incidents across different chapters of the same national organization strengthens arguments that the national body was either deliberately indifferent to its own policies or failed to enforce them effectively.
• Insurance Coverage: Documented national histories can influence how insurance companies view claims. While insurers often try to deny coverage for “intentional acts” (like hazing), a pattern of prior incidents can make it harder for the national body to argue they were unaware or not negligent in their oversight, potentially forcing their insurers to cover damages stemming from the systemic failures.

For Blanco County families, understanding that their child’s local chapter is not an island – but part of a larger national ecosystem – can empower them to seek accountability from all responsible parties. Attorney911’s deep knowledge of these national patterns and their legal implications is a key advantage in building a successful hazing case.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

If your child from Blanco County has been subjected to hazing, building a robust legal case requires meticulous evidence collection, an understanding of potential damages, and a clear legal strategy. At Attorney911, we approach each hazing case with the investigative depth and legal acumen necessary to challenge powerful institutions.

7.1 Evidence: The Foundation of Your Case

In hazing litigation, evidence is paramount. It tells the story of what happened, who was involved, and who neglected their duties. In the digital age, much of this critical information resides online.

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical category of evidence in modern hazing cases.
  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Messenger: These platforms are fertile ground for evidence. Messages can reveal details of event planning, explicit instructions, threats, derogatory comments, and discussions about cover-ups. We look for timestamps, sender identities, and content that establishes intent, coercion, and knowledge.
  • Recovered/Deleted Messages: Even deleted messages are often recoverable through digital forensics. We work with experts who can pull data from phones, cloud backups, and even app servers, revealing what perpetrators tried to hide.
• Photos & Videos:
  • Member-Generated Content: Photos and videos captured by members or pledges during hazing events are invaluable. These can prove the hazing occurred, discredit denials, show who was present, and document the nature of the abuse. Even “fun” or seemingly innocuous posts can hold clues.
  • Security Footage: Surveillance cameras at fraternity houses (often in common areas), university buildings, or nearby private residences (like Ring doorbell cameras) can capture arrivals, departures, or other relevant activities.
  • Injury Documentation: Immediate, high-quality photographs of any physical injuries, taken from multiple angles and over several days, are crucial. Scale references (like a coin or ruler) are helpful.
• Internal Organization Documents: Subpoenaed records from local chapters and national organizations can reveal their inner workings.
  • Pledge Manuals & Ritual Guides: These may outline “traditions” that constitute hazing, or they may show a disconnect between official policy and actual practice.
  • Emails & Texts: Communications among officers about upcoming “events,” “pledges,” or specific hazing activities.
  • Anti-Hazing Policies & Training Materials: These are used to demonstrate what the organization said it was doing versus the reality of its enforcement.
• University Records:
  • Prior Conduct Files: Histories of disciplinary actions, probation, or suspensions against the same chapter for past hazing or other violations. These show a pattern and the university’s knowledge.
  • Incident Reports: Records from campus police (UHPD, TAMUPD, UTPD, SMU PD, Baylor PD), or student conduct offices regarding previous complaints.
  • Clery Act Reports & Public Hazing Logs: Official university disclosures, such as UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations page, can provide strong evidence of recurring problems.
• Medical and Psychological Records:
  • Emergency Room & Hospital Records: Documentation of immediate physical injuries, blood alcohol levels, toxicology reports, and treatment. Critically, these records can include statements from the victim or witnesses indicating the injuries were hazing-related.
  • Ongoing Treatment Records: Notes from physical therapy, counseling, or psychiatric sessions that document the long-term physical and mental health consequences of hazing, including PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
• Witness Testimony:
  • Fellow Pledges/New Members: Often the most direct witnesses, though fear of retaliation is common.
  • Current & Former Members: Individuals who have left the organization or are still involved may provide invaluable insights into the hazing culture.
  • Bystanders: Campus residence advisors (RAs), roommates, coaches, or faculty members who observed changes in the victim or heard about the hazing.

7.2 Damages: Compensating for Profound Harm

The purpose of a civil lawsuit isn’t merely punishment; it’s to compensate victims and their families for the full spectrum of harm caused by hazing.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes all costs associated with physical injuries: emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospital stays (including ICU for alcohol poisoning or rhabdomyolysis cases), surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapies (physical, occupational, speech). For catastrophic injuries like permanent brain damage (as in the Danny Santulli case) or life-altering organ damage (like Leonel Bermudez’s acute kidney failure), this can include a detailed life care plan to cover decades of specialized medical and personal care.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This covers financial losses stemming from the hazing.
  • Lost Income: Wages lost by the victim (if employed) or by parents who took time off work to care for their child.
  • Lost Educational Opportunities: Tuition for semesters missed, loss of scholarships (academic, athletic, Greek), and the delayed entry into the workforce, which can significantly impact lifetime earning potential.
  • Diminished Future Earning Capacity: If the hazing resulted in permanent disability (cognitive impairment from brain injury, chronic physical limitations, severe PTSD affecting work ability), an economist calculates the projected loss of lifetime earnings.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are non-financial harms, often the most significant in hazing cases.
  • Physical Pain & Suffering: The agony of initial injuries and any ongoing pain from permanent conditions.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This includes diagnosed conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation, as well as the profound humiliation, loss of dignity, and lasting emotional scars.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in sports, hobbies, social activities, or simply enjoy the college experience that was stolen.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the most tragic cases, when hazing leads to death, families can recover significant damages. This includes funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and compensation for the immense grief, loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by parents, siblings, or spouses. Such cases have led to multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, as seen in the Stone Foltz, Max Gruver, and David Bogenberger cases.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious, reckless, or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendants and deter similar actions in the future. Texas law allows for punitive damages, especially when gross negligence or intentional harm can be proven.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Successful hazing litigation often involves identifying and pursuing multiple responsible parties.

• Individuals: The students who directly inflicted harm or orchestrated the hazing. The $6.5 million order against Daylen Dunson, former Pi Kappa Alpha president in the Stone Foltz case, demonstrates individual officers can face massive personal liability.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The unofficial or official campus organization itself.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The larger national body that charters and oversees local chapters. These entities typically carry significant insurance policies.
• University: The institution itself, especially if patterns of unaddressed hazing, negligent supervision, or deliberate indifference can be proven.
• Property Owners/Third Parties: Owners of off-campus houses where hazing occurred, or other third parties who facilitated the hazing (e.g., alcohol suppliers), may also be liable.

Insurance coverage is a critical battleground. National fraternities and universities carry substantial insurance policies. However, their insurers often try to argue that hazing (as an intentional act) is excluded from coverage. This is where Attorney911’s expertise, particularly Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, offers a critical advantage. We understand how these companies fight, how they interpret clauses, and how to compel them to cover legitimate claims, often by arguing negligent supervision rather than the intentional nature of the hazing itself.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs

We understand the confusion and fear that hazing can cause in Blanco County families. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance, distilled from years of experience in hazing litigation.

8.1 For Parents: Your Role in Recognizing & Responding

As a parent, you are often the first line of defense. Trust your instincts.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be alert to changes in your child’s behavior, appearance, or academic performance.
  • Physical: Unexplained bruises, cuts, or “accidents”; extreme fatigue, exhaustion, even if your child insists everything is “fine.” Look for sudden weight changes.
  • Emotional/Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about chapter activities (“I can’t talk about it”); withdrawal from old friends or family; increased anxiety, depression, irritability; defensiveness when asked about their organization.
  • Academic: Dramatic drop in grades; missing classes; a sudden lack of interest in their studies.
  • Digital: Obsessive checking of phone for group messages; anxiety when the phone rings; deleting messages or clearing browsing history; newfound use of location-tracking apps like Find My Friends.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not accusation.
  • “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority? Are you enjoying it?”
  • “Are they respectful of your time for academics and sleep?”
  • “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable, or that you have to keep secret from me or the university?”
  • Emphasize their safety and well-being over any perceived loyalty to the group. Reassure them you will support them, no matter what.
• If Your Child is Hurt:
  • Prioritize Medical Care: Get them to an emergency room, student health center, or urgent care immediately. Crucially, tell medical providers that any injuries or intoxication are hazing-related so it is documented in their medical record.
  • Document Everything: Take clear, well-lit photos of any injuries from multiple angles, and continue to document their healing over several days. Screenshot any relevant messages, photos, or videos from their phone. Ask them to write down everything they remember while it’s fresh.
• Dealing with the University: Every communication with university officials (Dean of Students, student conduct, campus police) should be documented. Keep dates, times, names, and a summary of conversations. Ask about prior incidents involving the same organization.

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

If you’re a student feeling pressured, know that you have rights, and there are people who can help.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask yourself:
  • Am I being forced or pressured to do something that makes me uncomfortable, humiliated, or unsafe?
  • Would I do this if my parents, university, or the public were watching?
  • Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about what’s happening?
  • Are older members making me do things they never had to do, or that interfere with my academics or physical health?
    If you answer yes to any of these, it’s likely hazing. Your safety and well-being are more important than any “tradition.”
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The law, particularly in Texas, recognizes that “consent” is not a defense to hazing. You are likely under immense pressure and fear of exclusion. Your perceived agreement does not make the activity legal or safe.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely:
  • Immediate Danger: If you are in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. There are often good-faith reporter protection laws that prevent you from being punished for seeking help in a medical emergency.
  • If You Want to Quit: You have the absolute right to leave any organization at any time. You can send a simple email or text to the chapter president stating your resignation. If you fear retaliation, inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, academic advisor) before you act, and report your concerns to the Dean of Students.
  • How to Report: You can report hazing anonymously through campus hotlines, university online forms, or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses: Your Role in Accountability

If you were a part of hazing—either as a participant or a witness—and now regret it, your decision to speak up can be critical in preventing future harm and achieving justice.

• Your Testimony Matters: Your firsthand account, especially if corroborated by evidence, can provide the key insights needed to build a case and hold perpetrators accountable. You could prevent another Blanco County family from experiencing the same tragedy.
• Navigating Your Role: You may have your own concerns about legal exposure or reputational harm. An experienced attorney can advise you ethically on your rights and obligations, and how to cooperate with investigators or civil attorneys while protecting your own interests.
• Good-Faith Reporting Protections: Remember that Texas law provides some immunity for good-faith reporting. Coming forward can be a courageous step toward justice.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Hazing cases are complex, and subtle missteps can severely jeopardize your ability to seek justice. Blanco County families must be aware of these common, critical mistakes.

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:

   • Why It’s Wrong: The urge to protect your child from further trouble is natural. However, destroying evidence can look like a cover-up, can be considered obstruction of justice, and makes proving your case exponentially harder, if not impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing or seemingly minor content. Digital evidence, such as group chats, texts, and social media posts, is often the most critical evidence. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document a legal case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:

   • Why It’s Wrong: While understandable to want immediate answers, a direct confrontation will cause the perpetrators to immediately “lawyer up,” destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses. You lose the element of surprise.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private, then call a lawyer before any direct communication with the organization.

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms Without Legal Review:

   • Why It’s Wrong: Universities often pressure families to sign agreements quickly to resolve issues “internally” or to protect their own reputation. These forms may include waivers that could inadvertently sign away your right to pursue a civil lawsuit. Such settlements are often far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or an insurance company without an experienced attorney reviewing it first.

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:

   • Why It’s Wrong: While you want justice and awareness, details posted publicly can be used by defense attorneys to scrutinize your child’s credibility, find inconsistencies, or argue you violated privacy. It can also waive legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately and meticulously. Let your lawyer control any public messaging once a strategy is in place.

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:

   • Why It’s Wrong: University investigations are largely administrative process focused on campus rules, not necessarily criminal justice or civil compensation. They prioritize their own reputation and may not share key information. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations may expire while you wait.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately to understand your rights, separate from the university’s internal process.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:

   • Why It’s Wrong: Insurance adjusters, even if polite, represent the interests of the fraternity, university, or individuals. Any statements made can be used against you, and initial settlement offers are often low-ball attempts to quickly close a claim for minimal cost.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with them directly and say, “My attorney will contact you.” Once you have legal representation, all communication should go through your lawyer.

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities in Texas (like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin) often assert sovereign immunity, which limits their liability, but exceptions exist for cases involving gross negligence, civil rights violations (like Title IX), or when individuals are sued in their personal capacity. Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) typically do not have sovereign immunity. Every case is fact-specific, so it’s essential to contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  Yes, it can be. While hazing is generally classified as a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers or members of an organization can also face misdemeanor charges for failing to report hazing they knew about.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to prosecution for hazing. Courts recognize that “agreement” under intense peer pressure, a desire for belonging, and fear of exclusion or reprisal is not true, voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, there is a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death to file most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Texas. However, certain exceptions, such as the “discovery rule” (where the clock starts when you reasonably became aware of the harm), or in cases of fraudulent concealment, may extend this period. Time is critical not only for legal deadlines but also because evidence disappears and memories fade. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to ensure legal deadlines are met. You can watch our video Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) for more information.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of hazing (on-campus, off-campus, private residence, Airbnb) does not eliminate potential liability. Universities and national fraternities or other organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the group, their knowledge (or what they should have known), and their failure to prevent foreseeable harm. Many landmark hazing cases, such as the Michael Deng case (Pi Delta Psi retreat) or Collin Wiant (Sigma Pi unofficial house), occurred off-campus and still resulted in significant judgments.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Client confidentiality is a cornerstone of our practice. While lawsuits are public records, many hazing cases settle confidentially before ever reaching a public trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and work to protect your child’s identity while still pursuing full accountability. We discuss all strategies, including those regarding publicity and privacy, from your very first consultation.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you don’t just need a lawyer; you need legal strategists who understand the intricate playbook of powerful institutions. Here in Texas, such institutions—be they public universities like UT Austin and Texas A&M, or national fraternities with deep pockets—are adept at defending themselves. At The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911, we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ precisely because we possess the unique combination of experience and expertise to confront these challenges head-on.

We are a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep experience in serious injury, wrongful death, and institutional accountability cases. We know that Blanco County families, like those across the whole of Texas, need to trust that their legal representation is not only empathetic but also formidable.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

Our firm offers distinct advantages that are crucial for effectively litigating hazing cases:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight as a former insurance defense attorney for a national law firm. She knows the insurance companies’ playbook inside and out—the same companies that defend national fraternities and universities. She understands their tactics for undervaluing claims, their delay strategies, and their arguments for denying coverage. “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This means we can anticipate their moves and counter them effectively from day one. You can learn more about Lupe Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has a proven track record in complex litigation. He was part of a select group of Texas firms involved in the massive BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. This experience, combined with a strong presence in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, means we are not intimidated by, and know how to fight against, national fraternities, universities, or their well-resourced defense teams. “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.” Learn more about Ralph Manginello at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience: Hazing too often leads to wrongful death or catastrophic, lifelong injuries. We have a proven track record of securing significant results in these types of complex cases, collaborating with economists to accurately value lifetime care needs for victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force genuine accountability. Our experience includes the critical area of wrongful death claims, which you can read more about at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.

• Dual Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Hazing is a crime in Texas, and criminal charges often accompany civil lawsuits. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a unique understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual perspective is invaluable whether we are advising on criminal exposure or civil liability, ensuring a comprehensive legal approach. Explore our criminal defense capabilities at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.

• Investigative Depth for Modern Hazing: We have extensive experience building cases from the ground up, utilizing a network of experts in digital forensics, medicine, economics, and psychology. We know how to obtain hidden digital evidence—from deleted group chats to social media posts—and how to subpoena national fraternity records to expose patterns of prior incidents and university files through diligent discovery and public records requests.

Call to Action: Your Next Step in Blanco County

If your child, or a child you know in Blanco County, experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we urge you to contact us. Families in Blanco County and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

The Manginello Law Firm offers a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story without judgment, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family. There is no pressure to hire us on the spot; our priority is to equip you with information. Everything you tell us is confidential.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 today:

• Call: 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: Contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com for a consultation in Spanish. We are ready to assist you in your preferred language.

Whether you’re in Blanco County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Don’t let fear or misinformation keep you from seeking justice. Call us today.

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 Texas 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
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

Complete Texas University Directory

Attorney911 tracks every higher education institution in Texas. For reference:

• Abilene Christian University | Abilene, Taylor County | Private Non-Profit
• Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, Taylor County | Private Non-Profit
• McMurry University | Abilene, Taylor County | Private Non-Profit
• Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online | Addison, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Sul Ross State University | Alpine, Brewster County | Public University
• Arlington Baptist University | Arlington, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, Tarrant County | Public University
• Trinity Valley Community College | Athens, Henderson County | Public University
• AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine | Austin, Travis County | Private For-Profit
• Austin Community College District | Austin, Travis County | Public University
• Austin Graduate School of Theology | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Concordia University Texas | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus | Austin, Williamson County | Private For-Profit
• Gemini School of Visual Arts & Communication | Austin, Williamson County | Private For-Profit
• Huston-Tillotson University | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Saint Edward’s University | Austin, Travis County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas Health and Science University | Austin, Travis County | Private For-Profit
• The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Travis County | Public University
• The University of Texas System Office | Austin, Travis County | Public University
• The Art Institute of Austin | Bastrop, Bastrop County | Private For-Profit
• Lamar University | Beaumont, Jefferson County | Public University
• Messenger College | Bedford, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, Bell County | Private Non-Profit
• Howard Payne University | Brownwood, Brown County | Private Non-Profit
• West Texas A & M University | Canyon, Randall County | Public University
• Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, Brazos County | Public University
• Texas A & M University-System Office | College Station, Brazos County | Public University
• Texas A & M University-Commerce | Commerce, Hunt County | Public University
• Grace School of Theology | Conroe, Montgomery County | Private Non-Profit
• Del Mar College | Corpus Christi, Nueces County | Public University
• Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, Nueces County | Public University
• Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas | Dallas, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• Bakke Graduate University | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Criswell College | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Dallas Christian College | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Dallas College | Dallas, Dallas County | Public University
• Dallas Theological Seminary | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Miami International University of Art & Design-Art Institute Dallas | Dallas, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• Parker University | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Paul Quinn College | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Remington College-Dallas Campus | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas, Dallas County | Public University
• University of North Texas System | Dallas, Dallas County | Public University
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas, Dallas County | Public University
• Wade College | Dallas, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• Grayson College | Denison, Grayson County | Public University
• Texas Woman’s University | Denton, Denton County | Public University
• University of North Texas | Denton, Denton County | Public University
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, Hidalgo County | Public University
• Southwest University at El Paso | El Paso, El Paso County | Private For-Profit
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso | El Paso, El Paso County | Public University
• The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, El Paso County | Public University
• Western Technical College | El Paso, El Paso County | Private For-Profit
• Western Technical College | El Paso, El Paso County | Private For-Profit
• Strayer University-Texas | Farmers Branch, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• Brite Divinity School | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• Remington College-Fort Worth Campus | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• University of North Texas Health Science Center | Fort Worth, Tarrant County | Public University
• Galveston College | Galveston, Galveston County | Public University
• The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston, Galveston County | Public University
• Amberton University | Garland, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Southwestern University | Georgetown, Williamson County | Private Non-Profit
• RCCGNA Seminary | Greenville, Hunt County | Private Non-Profit
• Jarvis Christian University | Hawkins, Wood County | Private Non-Profit
• American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Med | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• American InterContinental University-Houston | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• Baylor College of Medicine | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Chamberlain University-Texas | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• College of Biblical Studies-Houston | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Galen Health Institutes-Houston | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• Houston Baptist University | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Houston Graduate School of Theology | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Remington College-North Houston Campus | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Rice University | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• South Texas College of Law Houston | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas Southern University | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• The Art Institute of Houston | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• University of Houston | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• University of Houston-Clear Lake | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• University of Houston-System Administration | Houston, Harris County | Public University
• University of Phoenix-Texas | Houston, Harris County | Private For-Profit
• University of St Thomas | Houston, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, Walker County | Public University
• DeVry University-Texas | Irving, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• University of Dallas | Irving, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary | Jacksonville, Cherokee County | Private Non-Profit
• Southwestern Adventist University | Keene, Johnson County | Private Non-Profit
• Schreiner University | Kerrville, Kerr County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, Bell County | Public University
• Texas A & M University-Kingsville | Kingsville, Kleberg County | Public University
• Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, Brazoria County | Public University
• Laredo College | Laredo, Webb County | Public University
• Texas A & M International University | Laredo, Webb County | Public University
• LeTourneau University | Longview, Gregg County | Private Non-Profit
• Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock, Lubbock County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas Tech University | Lubbock, Lubbock County | Public University
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock, Lubbock County | Public University
• Texas Tech University System Administration | Lubbock, Lubbock County | Public University
• East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, Harrison County | Private Non-Profit
• Wiley College | Marshall, Harrison County | Private Non-Profit
• South Texas College | McAllen, Hidalgo County | Public University
• Collin County Community College District | McKinney, Collin County | Public University
• Midland College | Midland, Midland County | Public University
• Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County | Public University
• Odessa College | Odessa, Ector County | Public University
• The University of Texas Permian Basin | Odessa, Ector County | Public University
• San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena, Harris County | Public University
• Texas Chiropractic College Foundation Inc | Pasadena, Harris County | Private Non-Profit
• Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, Hale County | Private Non-Profit
• Prairie View A & M University | Prairie View, Waller County | Public University
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Dallas | Richardson, Dallas County | Private Non-Profit
• The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, Dallas County | Public University
• West Coast University-Dallas | Richardson, Dallas County | Private For-Profit
• South University-Austin | Round Rock, Williamson County | Private For-Profit
• Angelo State University | San Angelo, Tom Green County | Public University
• Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private For-Profit
• Baptist University of the Americas | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Christ Mission College | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private For-Profit
• Hallmark University | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Oblate School of Theology | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Our Lady of the Lake University | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• San Antonio College | San Antonio, Bexar County | Public University
• St. Mary’s University | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas A&M University-San Antonio | San Antonio, Bexar County | Public University
• The Art Institute of San Antonio | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private For-Profit
• The University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio, Bexar County | Public University
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio, Bexar County | Public University
• Trinity University | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, Bexar County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas State University | San Marcos, Hays County | Public University
• Texas Lutheran University | Seguin, Guadalupe County | Private Non-Profit
• Austin College | Sherman, Grayson County | Private Non-Profit
• The King’s University | Southlake, Tarrant County | Private Non-Profit
• North American University | Stafford, Fort Bend County | Private Non-Profit
• Tarleton State University | Stephenville, Erath County | Public University
• Southwestern Christian College | Terrell, Kaufman County | Private Non-Profit
• Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Texarkana, Bowie County | Public University
• College of the Mainland | Texas City, Galveston County | Public University
• Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, Montgomery County | Public University
• Texas College | Tyler, Smith County | Private Non-Profit
• The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, Smith County | Public University
• Tyler Junior College | Tyler, Smith County | Public University
• University of Houston-Victoria | Victoria, Victoria County | Public University
• Baylor University | Waco, McLennan County | Private Non-Profit
• Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Waxahachie, Ellis County | Private Non-Profit
• Weatherford College | Weatherford, Parker County | Public University
• Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls, Wichita County | Public University

Complete Texas Greek Organization Directory

Attorney911 tracks every IRS-registered fraternity and sorority in Texas:

• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-2525354 | College Station, TX
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-0555581 | Austin, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6067776 | Fort Worth, TX
• UPSILON ZETA BUILDING ASSOCIATION OF CHI OMEGA | EIN: 75-2290669 | Amarillo, TX
• IOTA ALPHA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 51-0225632 | Arlington, TX
• KAPPA EPSILON CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1727080 | Arlington, TX
• LAMBDA ETA CHAPTER CHI ETA PHI SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 75-2273565 | Arlington, TX
• OMICRON GAMMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 75-2819136 | Arlington, TX
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI | EIN: 74-6047117 | Austin, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 46-3831593 | Austin, TX
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-1130606 | Austin, TX
• SIGMA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN SORORITY INC | EIN: 85-1262394 | Austin, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC | EIN: 74-6084912 | Austin, TX
• SIGMA LAMBDA ALPHA SORORITY INC | EIN: 90-0956019 | Austin, TX
• TEJAS FOUNDATION | EIN: 74-6062730 | Austin, TX
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON | EIN: 56-2652714 | Beaumont, TX
• SOUTH TEXAS COTILLON INC | EIN: 26-2378154 | Brownsville, TX
• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION | EIN: 20-3507402 | Canyon, TX
• NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL NORTH DALLAS SUBURBIA | EIN: 26-4080411 | Carrollton, TX
• ETA ALPHA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA DELTA SORORITY | EIN: 74-2930349 | College Sta, TX
• GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION | EIN: 88-0537463 | College Sta, TX
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 81-4123811 | College Sta, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293166 | College Station, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 13-3048786 | College Station, TX
• SIGMA NU CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA | EIN: 73-6098935 | Colleyville, TX
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY ZETA ETA | EIN: 75-6060974 | Commerce, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 75-2609909 | Commerce, TX
• LAMBDA NU GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 93-2103520 | Conroe, TX
• LAMBDA OMEGA EPSILON SORORITY INC | EIN: 86-1854073 | Conroe, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA | EIN: 83-3053639 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA CHI CHAPTER | EIN: 86-3999517 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA PSI CHAPTER | EIN: 87-4252223 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 82-3971493 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-2203769 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-1237505 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 81-4575228 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 26-0805977 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 90-0657756 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 32-0217610 | Corinth, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 46-0766525 | Corinth, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418972 | Corpus Christi, TX
• AGGIE ADPI FAMILY CLUB | EIN: 93-2357531 | Cypress, TX
• CHI EPSILON SIGMA INC | EIN: 45-1677063 | Dallas, TX
• DELTA ALPHA SIGMA MULTICULTURAL SORORITY | EIN: 36-4806998 | Dallas, TX
• DELTA PHI CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY ALUMNI HOUSING | EIN: 90-0239693 | Dallas, TX
• FRIENDSHIP-WEST MIZPAH FOUNDATION | EIN: 27-1863731 | Dallas, TX
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 52-1278573 | Dallas, TX
• ZETA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-2620706 | Dallas, TX
• ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY | EIN: 26-2025321 | Denton, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 26-3170920 | Denton, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 87-2222906 | El Paso, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 38-3742830 | El Paso, TX
• DENTON-LEWISVILLE GUIDE RIGHT FOUNDATION | EIN: 86-1205340 | Flower Mound, TX
• BETA UPSILON CHI | EIN: 74-2911848 | Fort Worth, TX
• EPSILON MU CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6203190 | Fort Worth, TX
• FIRST COMMAND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | EIN: 75-1973894 | Fort Worth, TX
• FORT WORTH ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 75-2755600 | Fort Worth, TX
• GAMMA PHI DELTA CHRISTIAN FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-2893931 | Fort Worth, TX
• PSI ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 52-1345182 | Fort Worth, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY TEXAS GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 91-1981478 | Fort Worth, TX
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 74-1380362 | Fort Worth, TX
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX
• ETA KAPPA CHAPTER OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION | EIN: 75-2935462 | Frisco, TX
• FRISCO TX ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI INCORPORATED | EIN: 92-0575785 | Frisco, TX
• KAPPA THETA PI – MU CHAPTER CORPORATION | EIN: 33-1294470 | Frisco, TX
• ARLINGTON-GRAND PRAIRIE ALUMNI CHAP OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRAT INC | EIN: 23-2452759 | Grand Prairie, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5370943 | Houston, TX
• BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER – ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 99-0483761 | Houston, TX
• DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 80-0209640 | Houston, TX
• HELLENIC PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF TEXAS | EIN: 74-2020182 | Houston, TX
• LELAND COLLEGE PREP PTO | EIN: 47-2160315 | Houston, TX
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 74-6084905 | Houston, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON NEW YORK CHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 26-2710856 | Houston, TX
• SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC | EIN: 76-0221936 | Houston, TX
• SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 51-0194762 | Houston, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 39-2352450 | Houston, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 92-1490845 | Huntsville, TX
• ONE CHAPTER ONE SHIELD | EIN: 92-1743777 | Iowa Colony, TX
• OMICRON GAMMA SIGMA ALUMNI CHAPTER OF PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 92-1672050 | Irving, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418666 | Kingsville, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 61-1562040 | Lewisville, TX
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA CHAPTER | EIN: 47-3967233 | Lubbock, TX
• EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 23-7359384 | Lubbock, TX
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1565336 | Lubbock, TX
• GAMMA PHI HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-1283953 | Lubbock, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 82-0644459 | Lubbock, TX
• TKE OP HOUSING | EIN: 47-5033161 | Lubbock, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU GAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 27-3662583 | Lufkin, TX
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 45-3325054 | Mansfield, TX
• ALPHA DELTA | EIN: 81-2724215 | Mcallen, TX
• GULF COAST ALUMNI ET OF OX INC | EIN: 45-2717861 | Mexia, TX
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 37-1768785 | Missouri City, TX
• ALPHA TAU OMEGA HOUSING CORPORATION OF ETA IOTA CHAPTER | EIN: 30-0517788 | Nacogdoches, TX
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6041410 | Nacogdoches, TX
• EPSILON TAU CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6053083 | Nacogdoches, TX
• PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 45-2729519 | Nacogdoches, TX
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-6064445 | Nederland, TX
• TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 76-0366414 | Needville, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 52-1345951 | Nolanville, TX
• ZETA OMICRON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 90-0949447 | Ponder, TX
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 23-7279532 | Prairie View, TX
• ZETA BETA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 23-7098953 | Prairie View, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON TEXAS ETA | EIN: 82-4398421 | Richmond, TX
• EPSILON PI PHI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HONOR SOCIETY | EIN: 47-4643399 | Round Rock, TX
• 9THD BROTHERS KEEPER | EIN: 93-4008573 | Rowlett, TX
• ZETA XI PEARLS EDUCATIONAL FUND INC | EIN: 88-3484848 | Rowlett, TX
• ALPHA EPSILON DELTA | EIN: 52-1850764 | San Antonio, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-5229133 | San Antonio, TX
• PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 90-0927378 | San Antonio, TX
• PHI UPSILON ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1016658 | San Antonio, TX
• UTSA SIGMA CHI | EIN: 84-2643090 | San Antonio, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5381060 | San Marcos, TX
• SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON – TEXAS SIGMA INCORPORATED | EIN: 88-2755427 | San Marcos, TX
• TEXAS BETA PSI CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA KAPPA SORORITY INC | EIN: 74-6088185 | Shavano Park, TX
• THE ETHEL HEDGEMON LYLE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS | EIN: 76-0592907 | Spring, TX
• RHO DELTA CHI NATIONAL BOARD | EIN: 93-4247450 | Sugar Land, TX
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 16-1675890 | The Woodlands, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 35-2335400 | Tyler, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293167 | Victoria, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 36-4091267 | Waco, TX
• TEXAS RHO CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1942292 | Waco, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | EIN: 52-1346485 | Waco, TX
• BETA ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF ALPHA SIGMA KAPPA WOMEN IN TECHNICAL STUDIES | EIN: 73-1568644 | Weatherford, TX
• GAMMA IOTA CHAPTER OF GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 75-1225585 | Wichita Falls, TX
• REDWINE HONORS PROGRAM STUDENT COUNCIL | EIN: 84-5090974 | Wichita Falls, TX