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I le fatu filemu o Amerika Samoa, lea e masani ona lagona ai le pao o le olaga motu e pei o se lalolagi ese mai le pisi o kolisi i le matafaga, e tausia e aiga miti o aʻoaʻoga maualuluga mo a latou fanau. Pe o le a taulau na miti i le Iunivesite o Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, po o Baylor, o le tuliloaina o le atamai faaaoaoga e mafai ona fetauaʻi ma se lamatiaga natia: o le faafeiloaiga faamalosi (hazing).

Manatu se tamaitiiti aoga atamai, faamoemoeina mai Pago Pago, o ana galuega mamafa ma le lagolago a le aiga ua mafua ai ona ia maua se avanoa i se iunivesite taʻutaʻua i Texas. Na latou auai i se faalapotopotoga, se sorority, po o se polokalame ROTC, ma naunau e fesootai ma se nuu fou ma fausia faauoga umi le ola. Ae i se taimi lata mai, ua amata mai valaau i le leva o le po, o manaoga faalilolilo, o le faamalosia o le inu ava malosi seia latou pogisa, po o amioga agaga ua matua faaitiitia ai le mamalu. Ua latou lagona le maileia, ua masae i le va o le naunau tele e auai ma le lagona taufaafefe. Ua latou iloa ua tuai tele o tu ma aganuu sa latou manatu e le afaina ua avea ma se mea e sili atu ona leaga, o se mea e faamataʻuina ai lo latou saogalemu faaletino ma le soifua maloloina o le mafaufau.

O lenei tulaga e le na o se fefe faʻataʻitaʻi mo aiga Amerika Samoa. O se mea moni faigata lea e tupu i kolisi i Texas i tausaga uma. A amata e lau tama lana malaga i le kolisi, pe i Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, po o Waco, latou te savalia atu i se lalolagi e mafai ona natia ai le taufaatosina o le auai i amioga matautia. O lenei taiala atoatoa i le hazing ma le tulafono i Texas ua tusia mo aiga i Amerika Samoa ma le setete atoa o loʻo manaʻomia le malamalama i lenei lamatiaga natia. O le a tatou suʻesuʻeina pe faʻafefea ona foliga mai le hazing i le 2025, o fuafuaga faaletulafono i Texas ma le feterale, ma pe faʻafefea ona faʻailoa mai e mataupu tetele a le atunuʻu lenei vaega. O le a tatou suʻesuʻeina foi luʻitau faapitoa i iunivesite taʻutaʻua i Texas—UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, ma Baylor—e tuʻuina atu ai faʻamatalaga taua mo matua Amerika Samoa o latou fanau e ono auai i nei faalapotopotoga.

O lenei tusitusiga e tuʻuina atu ai faʻamatalaga lautele, ae le o fautuaga faaletulafono faapitoa. Ae peitaʻi, o le The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, o loʻo galue o le Attorney911, e mafai ona iloiloina mataupu taʻitasi e faavae i a latou mea moni faapitoa. Matou te tautuaina aiga i Texas atoa, e aofia ai i Amerika Samoa.

Fesoasoani Faʻafuaseʻi mo Faʻalavelave Faʻafuaseʻi ona o le “Hazing”:

• Afai o loʻo i se tulaga matautia lau tama I LE TAIMI LENEI:

  • Valaau le 911 mo faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi faafomaʻi
  • Ona valaau lea i le Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
  • Matou te saunia fesoasoani vave – o le mafuaaga lena ua matou avea ai ma Loia Faʻafuaseʻi Faʻapitoa™

• I totonu o le 48 itula muamua:

  • Maua fesoasoani faafomaʻi vave, tusa pe fai mai le tamaitiiti aoga ua ia “manuia”
  • Faasaoina faamaoniga AʻO LEʻI tapeina:
    • Faia se ata pupuni o talanoaga vaega, feau tusitusia, ma feau faalilolilo vave
    • Ata o manuʻa mai itu eseese
    • Faasaoina mea faitino (lavalava, lisiti, mea)
  • Tusi i lalo mea uma aʻo manino pea le manatua (o ai, o le a, o afea, o fea)
  • AUA LE:
    • Faaalia le misa i le faʻalapotopotoga
    • Saini se mea mai le iunivesite po o le kamupani inisiua
    • Faʻasalalau auiliiliga i luga o fesoʻotaʻiga lautele
    • Tuʻu lau tama e tape feau po o le “faamamaina” o faamaoniga

• Faʻafesoʻotaʻi se loia faʻapitoa i le hazing i totonu o le 24–48 itula:

  • E vave ona mou atu faamaoniga (tapeina talanoaga vaega, faʻaumatia paga, molimau ua aʻoaʻoina)
  • E vave ona gaoioi iunivesite e pulea le tala
  • Matou te mafai ona fesoasoani e faasaoina faamaoniga ma puipuia aia tatau a lau tama
  • Valaau le 1-888-ATTY-911 mo se faʻatalanoaga vave

Hazing i le 2025: O le a Lona Foliga Moni

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa e lē masani i le olaga Eleni faaonaponei po o amioga faigata o iunivesite tetele, o le hazing e mafai ona avea ma se manatu lē mautinoa. E masani ona lē tonu le malamalama i ai e na o ni tausuaga lē afaina po o ni tu ma aganuu tuai. Ae peitaʻi, i le 2025, o le hazing o se ituaiga faiga sauā faigata, e masani ona faigata ma matua loloto lona aʻafia, ma e suia ina ia ʻaloese mai le iloa ma faʻaaogā amioga pule. Ua sili atu nai lo na o le “o tamaiti lava e taaalo”—o se vaega o amioga e mafai ona i ai ni taunuuga faataumaoi ma tumau i le olaga atoa.

O le “Hazing” e faauigaina lautele o soʻo se gaioiga ma le loto i ai, ma le iloa, po o le faatamala, e tuʻuina atu i se tamaitiiti aʻoga e isi, mo le faʻamoemoe o le amataga, fesoʻotaʻiga, po o le faʻatumauina o le avea ma tagata o se vaega. O lenei gaioiga e tatau ona faʻamataʻuina le soifua maloloina o le mafaufau po o le tino po o le saogalemu o le tamaitiiti aʻoga, po o le mafua ai le faʻalumaina ma le faʻaaoga sese. E le manaʻomia ona manino le faʻamalosi; e mafai ona faʻaalia e ala i le mamafa a tupulaga, le manaʻo e auai, po o le fefe i le tuʻueseesega ma le tauimasui. Pe o feagai lau tama ma nei mamafa i le Iunivesite o Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, po o se isi nofoaga, o amioga i tua o le hazing e tumau pea ona tutusa.

Vaega Autu o le Hazing: E Ese mai Stereotypes

O le hazing i aso nei e aofia ai le tele o ituaiga gaioiga, o nisi e matua sauā ae o isi e lē malamalama i ai. O le malamalama i nei vaega e taua tele mo matua ma tamaiti aʻoga i Amerika Samoa ia iloa lamatiaga, e tusa lava pe e natia o “faʻauoga” po o “tu ma aganuu.”

• Ava Malosi ma isi Mea Faʻaseʻi (Substance Hazing): O le ituaiga hazing sili ona masani ma sili ona oti. E aofia ai le faʻamalosi po o le faananauina e inu ava malosi, e masani ona oʻo i tulaga matautia, e iʻu ai i le ‘onā tele. E mafai ona faʻaalia lenei mea o le faʻamalosi e inu vave, “faiga laina” lea e tatau ai i tagata fou ona inu tele, po o taʻaloga faʻapitoa mo le ‘ona vave. E mafai ona faʻamalosi tagata e inu vailaʻau po o mea faʻafefiloi e lē iloa, po o le auai i “faʻafoi fagu” lea e tufatufa atu ai le tele o ava malosi. O faʻalavelave faanoanoa o Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha i Bowling Green State), Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi i FSU), ma Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta i LSU) ua faʻailoa uma ai taunuuga matautia o tagi ava malosi.

• Fa’amalosiga Fa’aletino (Physical Hazing): O lenei vaega e aofia ai gaioiga e mafua ai le tiga o le tino, vaivai, po’o le fa’amata’uina o le soifua manuia fa’aletino. E mafai ona amata mai i le sasa masani ma le sasaina i fa’amalositino ogaoga, “fa’amalositino” fa’amalosia se’ia pa’u, po’o le leai o se moe ma le ‘ai mo se taimi umi. E mafai ona fa’aalia i latou ua amata i le malulu tele po’o le vevela tele, fa’amalosia e ala mo aso, po’o le leai o se mea’ai lelei ma vai. O nei gaioiga e masani ona natia ona o le fa’amalositino fa’aletino po’o le “fa’amalosia” o le poto masani, ae o lo latou fa’amoemoe moni o le fa’aumatia ma le pulea.

• Hazing Faʻaleitaga ma Faʻalumaina: O nei ituaiga hazing e matua afaina ai le mafaufau ma le tino, e aofia ai le faamalosia o le le lavalava po o le le lavalava i se vaega, amioga faaleitaga faafoliga (e pei o le “malaga elefane” po o le “puaa tao”), po o le faamalosia e fai ni ofu faalumaina. E mafai foi ona i ai i le hazing uiga faailoga tagata, pe le faailoga tagata, pe uiga faataulima tatau, e faaaoga ai upu lē mamā pe faamalosia tagata e faia ni amio e faailoga ai aganuu. O ia amioga e mafua ai manuʻa loloto i le lagona ma le mafaufau, e masani ona oo atu ai i le leaga tumau.

• Faʻamalosiga Faʻalemafaufau (Psychological Hazing): E masani ona le amanaiaina ae tutusa lava le leaga, o le faʻamalosiga faʻalemafaufau e aofia ai le taufaifai upu e faifai pea, faʻamataʻu, faʻafeiloaʻi, ma le tuʻueseeseina o tagata. E mafai ona faʻatatau i tagata mananaʻo ni taʻaloga mafaufau, faʻamalosia e taʻutaʻu atu, poʻo le faʻalumaina i luma o tagata lautele, ma faia ai se siosiomaga o le fefe ma le popole. O lenei ituaiga faʻamalosiga e faʻaleagaina ai le faʻatuatuaina ma mafua ai se lagona loloto o le leai o se fesoasoani.

• Hazing Faʻatekonolosi/I luga ole laiga: I le vaitau o fesoʻotaʻiga faifai pea, ua siitia le hazing i luga ole laiga. E mafai ona aofia ai tauemu faʻatekonolosi, manaʻomia ni tali vave i talanoaga vaega i itula uma, poʻo le faia ni “luʻitau” faʻatauva i luga o faʻasalalauga e pei o Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, poʻo Discord. E mafai ona faʻamalosia tagata fou e faʻasalalau mea faʻatauvaʻa, faʻasoa ata poʻo vitio le saogalemu, poʻo le faʻatonutonuina ma le faʻatonutonuina o a latou gaioiga i luga ole laiga e le au matutua. O lenei faʻaauauina o le faʻaoga faʻatekonolosi e faigata ai ona sola ese mai le hazing, e tusa lava i avanoa faalilolilo.

O fea e tupu moni ai le Hazing

O se manatu sese masani o le hazing e na o faʻalapotopotoga. Ae peitaʻi, e tatau i matua Amerika Samoa ona iloa o le hazing o se faʻafitauli lautele e mafai ona aʻafia ai toetoe lava o soʻo se faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga.

• Faalapotopotoga ma Sororities: E aofia ai faalapotopotoga masani a le Interfraternity Council (IFC) ma le National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), faapea foi ma le National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (faalapotopotoga Eleni uliuli faasolopito) ma faalapotopotoga Eleni aganuu eseese. E ui lava i faiga faavae tetee-hazing, o loo tumau pea faiga faalilolilo.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Vaega Faʻaauau a Le Militeri: O faʻalapotopotoga e iai le aganuu faʻaauau, e pei o le Corps of Cadets i Texas A&M, e masani ona feagai ma tuuaʻiga o le hazing o loʻo natia o “aʻoaʻoga faigata” poʻo le “fausia o le maufetuunaʻi.” O nei siosiomaga e mafai ona sili ona aʻafia i le faʻasaua hierarchal.
• ‘Au Faʻafiafia ma Kalapu Tu ma Aganuʻu: O loʻo tuʻuina atu isi vaega i le agaga o aʻoga poʻo le lagolagoina o tu ma aganuʻu umi (e pei o le Texas Cowboys i UT Austin) e mafai ona faʻatatau le amataga i le faʻamalosiga, faʻamalosia tagata fou e faia ni galuega faʻatauvaʻa poʻo ni suʻega faʻaletino.
• Au Taʻaloga: Mai lakapi ma pasiketipolo i le peisipolo, cheer, ma e oʻo lava i taʻaloga kalapu, e mafai ona tupu le hazing i totonu o ‘au taʻaloga, e masani ona faʻatatau i le fausiaina o ‘au poʻo le “maua lou tulaga.”
• Autau Faimalaga ma Vaega Faafiafia: E oo lava i vaega e foliga mai e le afaina e pei o autau faimalaga po o vaega faafiafia e mafai ona aafia i le hazing, ma sauniga ua fuafuaina e faamalosia ai tagata e ala i le fefaasoaaʻi, e masani ona faalumaina, poto masani.
• Faʻalapotopotoga Tautua, Faʻaleaganuʻu, ma Aʻoaʻoga: E ui ina e seasea, ae ua lipotia mai foi le hazing i nei vaega, ona o le manaʻo e fausia le faʻapitoa poʻo le faʻamaonia o le tuʻupoina.

O le hazing e tausia e ala i le felafolafoaʻi o le tulaga faʻaagafesootai, tu ma aganuu, ma le faalilolilo. O tagata matutua, o loʻo onosaia lava le hazing, e masani lava ona faʻaauauina le taamilosaga, ma talitonu o se sauniga taua o le amataga. O le manaʻo e auai, aemaise lava mo tamaiti aʻoga fou e mamao mai le aiga e pei o i latou mai Amerika Samoa, e mafai ona faʻavaivaia ai tagata i le faʻamalosi, ma mafua ai ona latou talia le sauaina latou te teʻena. O le “tulafono o le le leoa” e faʻamalosia ai le faʻalilolilo o faʻalavelave, ma faʻatagaina le taamilosaga e faʻaauau tusa lava pe faʻasaina aloaʻia le hazing.

Faʻataʻitaʻiga o Tulafono ma Nofovaevaeina (Texas + Feterale)

O le malamalama i le tulaga faaletulafono e uiga i le hazing i Texas e taua tele mo aiga i Amerika Samoa o latou fanau e ono auai i iunivesite e pei o UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, po o Baylor. O le tulafono a Texas, faʻatasi ma tulafono feterale ma faʻamatalaga faʻapitoa faʻapitoa, e tuʻuina atu ai auala eseese mo le tiute ma le faʻamasinoga, faiga solitū ma le faʻamasinoga.

Faʻavae o Tulafono a Texas e uiga i le Hazing (Tulenofe Faʻaleaʻoaʻoga)

I lalo o le tulafono a Texas—lea e faʻatautaia mataupu i Amerika Samoa e ala i ana faʻalapotopotoga faʻaleaʻoaʻoga—o le hazing ua faʻamatalaina ma faʻasaina. O le Texas Education Code Mataupu 37, Vaega F, e faʻatatau faapitoa i le hazing i nofoaga faʻaleaʻoaʻoga.

E tusa ai ma le Texas Education Code § 37.151, o le hazing o lona uiga o soʻo se gaoioiga faʻamoemoeina, faʻapitoa, poʻo le faʻatalale e se tagata nofo toʻatasi poʻo ma isi, faʻatatau i se tamaitiiti aʻoga, lea e:

• Faʻamataʻuina le soifua maloloina poʻo le saogalemu faʻalemafaufau poʻo le tino o se tamaitiiti aʻoga; MA
• Tupu mo le faʻamoemoe o le tautoga, amataga, fesoʻotaʻiga ma, umia o se tofi i, poʻo le faʻatumauina o le avea ma tagata o soʻo se faʻalapotopotoga o ona tagata o ni tamaiti aʻoga.

O lenei faʻamatalaga e lautele ma e aofia ai gaioiga e tupu i luga poʻo fafo o le lotoa. E faʻamamafa ai le mafai ona avea le afaina ma le tino ma le mafaufau. E taua tele, o le faʻamoemoe e le manaʻomia ona leaga; o le na o le “faʻatalale” e uiga i le lamatiaga ua lava e fetaui ai ma le faʻamatalaga. O lona uiga afai e iloa e se tasi le lamatiaga ma faʻagasolo pea, o se hazing.

O sala solitū e fesoʻotaʻi ma le hazing i Texas e mafai ona tele:

• Faiga Solitū Vasega B: O le faʻavasegaina lea masani mo le hazing e le mafua ai ni manuʻa tuga. O faʻasalaga e mafai ona aofia ai le oʻo atu i le 180 aso i le falepuipui ma se sala tupe e oʻo atu i le $2,000.
• Faiga Solitū Vasega A: Afai e mafua ai e le hazing se manuʻa e manaʻomia ai togafitiga faafomaʻi, ona siitia lea o le moliaga i se faiga solitū vasega A. E mafai ona iʻu ai i le oʻo atu i le tausaga e tasi i le falepuipui ma se sala tupe e oʻo atu i le $4,000.
• Faiga Solitū a le Setete: Afai e mafua ai e le hazing manuʻa tuga pe oti, e avea ma faiga solitū falepuipui a le setete, e iai le tele o faasalaga falepuipui ma sala tupe maualuga.
• Le lipotia o le hazing (afai o oe o se tagata po o se ofisa ma e te iloa e uiga i ai) o se faiga solitū foi.
• Tauimasui i se tasi e lipotia le hazing o se faiga solitū foi.

E ese mai i le nofovaevaeina solitulafono a le tagata lava ia, o le Texas Education Code § 37.153 e tulaʻi ai le Nofovaevaeina o Faalapotopotoga. E mafai ona molia faalapotopotoga (faalapotopotoga, sororities, kalapu, ‘au, vaega o le Corps) mo le hazing pe afai:

• Na faaauala pe faʻamalosia e le faalapotopotoga le hazing; PO O
• Na iloa e se ofisa poʻo se tagata o loʻo galue i se tofiga aloaʻia le hazing ma leʻi lipotia.
  O sala mo faalapotopotoga e mafai ona aofia ai sala tupe e oʻo atu i le $10,000 i le solia. E le gata i lea, e iai le malosi o iunivesite e faʻamaʻoina le aloaʻia ma faʻasaina le faalapotopotoga mai le lotoa—o se sala faʻamasinoga e mafai ona matua aʻafia ai se vaega.

E sili ona taua le Texas Education Code § 37.155, lea e faʻamalamalama mai ai o le maliega e lē o se puipuiga mai le moliaga o le hazing. O lenei mea e teʻena saʻo ai le puipuiga masani e faapea na “malie i ai” le tamaiti. Ua iloa e le tulafono e masani ona lē mafai ona tuʻuina atu se maliega moni i siosiomaga faʻamalosi.

Ma le mea mulimuli, o le Texas Education Code § 37.154 e tuʻuina atu ai le Le Puipuia mo Lipoti Faamaoni. O se tagata, o le na lipotia ma le faamaoni se faalavelave taufaʻafefe i le iunivesite poʻo le leoleo, e le nofo aitalafu i se nofovaevaeina faʻamasinoga poʻo se solitū e ono tupu mai i le lipoti. O lenei faiga e faʻamoemoe e faʻamalosia lipoti e aunoa ma le fefe i tauimasui, e ui lava o loʻo fefefe pea tamaiti aʻoga i taunuuga faʻaagafesootai.

Mataupu Faʻaletulafono vs. Mataupu Faʻalotoifale: Lua auala i le Faʻamasinoga

E taua mo aiga Amerika Samoa le malamalama e faapea o faalavelave taufaʻafefe e mafai ona iʻu ai i ni laʻasaga tulafono se lua, e eseese ae masani ona fesoʻotaʻi: o mataupu tau solitulafono ma mataupu tau tagata.

• Mataupu Solitulafono: O nei mea e amata ma faʻaauau e le setete poʻo le malo (faʻataʻitaʻiga, loia a le itumalo poʻo loia faʻavae). O le faʻamoemoe autu o le faasalaina o tagata poʻo faʻalapotopotoga mo le solia o tulafono. I le tulaga o le hazing, o moliaga solitulafono e mafai ona amata mai i soligatulafono faʻapitoa e uiga i le hazing i moliaga solitulafono e pei o le faʻasaua, tuʻuina atu o ava malosi i tamaiti laiti, poʻo le fasioti tagata faʻatamala poʻo le fasioti tagata lē faʻamoemoeina i mataupu e iʻu ai i manuʻa tuga poʻo le oti. O le tulaga e faʻamaonia ai o le “leai se masalosalo talafeagai.”

• Mataupu Faʻamasino: O talosaga ia e aumaia e tagata afaina poʻo o latou aiga o totoe faasaga i tagata taʻitoʻatasi ma faʻalapotopotoga e nafa ma le afaina. O le faʻamoemoe o se mataupu faafaʻamasino o le taui i tupe (“faʻaleaga”) mo tupe leiloa na mafatia ai ma ia faʻamaonia ai vaega e nafa ma le afaina. O faʻamatalaga faafaʻamasino e masani ona aofia ai manatu o le faatamala, faatamala tele, oti sese, vaʻaia faatamala, poʻo le nofomauina o le nofovaevaeina. O le tulaga e faʻamaonia ai o le “sili atu o faʻamaoniga,” lea e maualalo ifo nai lo i mataupu solitulafono.

O se mea taua tele e mafai ona faʻagaioi saoloto nei ituaiga mataupu e lua. O se faʻasalaga solitulafono e le o se mea e manaomia mo le faʻamaumauga o se tagi faʻale-tagata lautele, ma le isi itu. E tusa lava pe le faʻamaumauina moliaga solitulafono pe le faʻaiʻuina i se faʻasalaga, e mafai lava ona faʻamautu le nofovaevaeina o tagata lautele.

Faʻauluuluga Feterale: Puipuia Tamaiti Aʻoga i le Atunuʻu Atoa

I le faaopoopo atu i le tulafono a le setete o Texas, e tele tulafono feterale e mafai ona aʻafia ai mataupu tau faʻamalosiga, aemaise lava i iunivesite o loʻo maua fesoasoani feterale.

• Tulafono e Taofia ai le Hazing i Kolisi (Stop Campus Hazing Act) (2024): O lenei tulafono taua e faʻamalosia ai le sili atu ona manino mai kolisi ma iunivesite. E oʻo atu i le tausaga 2026, o faʻalapotopotoga o loʻo mauaina fesoasoani feterale o le a manaʻomia e:

  • Lipoti faʻalauaʻitele uma soliga o le hazing ma faʻasalaga faʻatulafono.
  • Faʻamalosia aʻoaʻoga ma taumafaiga e puipuia le hazing.
  • Tausia faʻamaumauga faʻalauaʻitele e faigofie ona maua e uiga i faʻalavelave o le hazing.
    O lenei tulafono feterale e matua faʻamalosia ai le mamafa i iunivesite e faʻafeagai ma le hazing ma le manino.

• Title IX / Clery Act:

  • Title IX (o le Education Amendments of 1972) e faasaina le faailoga tagata i le itupa i so o se polokalame faaleaoaoga po o se gaoioiga e maua ai fesoasoani tau tupe a le feterale. Afai e aafia le hazing i faiga faatautele tau feusuaʻiga, osofaʻiga faaleitupa, po o le faia o se siosiomaga le lelei e faavae i le itupa (e.g., tu ma aganuu faaleagaina faapitoa i le itupa), ona faatoaga ai lea o noataga a le Title IX. E mafai ona faamalosia ai iunivesite e suesue, faia ni faiga faasaʻo, ma tuuina atu fesoasoani i tagata manunuʻa.
  • O le Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) e manaʻomia kolisi ma iunivesite e faʻailoa faʻamatalaga e uiga i solitulafono i luga ma faʻataʻamilo i a latou lotoa. E ui e le o se solitulafono faʻapitoa a le Clery Act le hazing, ae o faʻalavelave o le hazing e masani ona aofia ai amioga solitulafono autu e tatau ona lipotia, e pei o le osofaʻiga, soliga o tulafono e uiga i le ava malosi, soliga o tulafono e uiga i vailaʻau, poʻo solitulafono tau feusuaiga. E fesoasoani lenei mea i le faʻavae lautele o le faʻamaonia.

O Ai e Mafai Ona Nofovaevaeina i se Tagi Hazing a le Faitotoʻa

O le fuafuaina po o ai e nofo aitalafu faaletulafono mo le hazing e mafai ona faigata, ae e mafai e se loia faʻapitoa i Texas i mataupu hazing ona faʻailoa uma tagata ua molia.

• Tamaiti Aʻoga Taʻitoʻatasi: O tagata solitulafono saʻo—o i latou na fuafuaina, faʻatulagaina, faʻamalosia, poʻo na auai saʻo i gaioiga faʻamalosiga—e mafai ona faʻamaonia le nofovaevaeina o ia lava. E aofia ai ofisa, “faiaʻoga tautoga,” poʻo soʻo se tagata o ana gaioiga na mafua ai le afaina.
• Vaega Faʻaletaulaga/Faʻalapotopotoga: E mafai ona tagofia le faalapotopotoga patino, le sorority, le kalapu, po o le vaega o le Corps i le iunivesite. Afai e aloaʻia le laulau o se faʻalapotopotoga faaletulafono, pe afai na faʻatagaina pe lagolagoina e lona taʻitaʻiga le faʻatamai, e mafai ona nofo aitalafu.
• Faʻalapotopotoga Faʻalauaʻitele a le Fraternitas/Sorority: O nei faʻalapotopotoga tetele, faʻalauaʻitele o loʻo vaʻaia vaega faʻaletaulaga e masani ona i ai faiga faʻapitoa e tetee atu ai i le faʻatamai ma polokalame e faʻatautaia ai lamatiaga. E mafai ona latou nofovaevaeina pe afai latou te:
  • Iloa pe tatau ona iloa e uiga i se faiga o le faʻatamai.
  • Leʻi aʻoaʻoina lelei, vaʻaia, poʻo le faʻasalaina o vaega faʻaletaulaga.
  • Leʻi amanaiaina soliga poʻo faitioga muamua.
  • Faʻapotopotoina tupe poʻo le lagolagoina faʻatupeina le vaega faʻaletaulaga e ui i le iloa e uiga i le faʻatamai.
    O a latou faiga faʻavae e mafai ona faʻaaogaina e fai ma faʻamaoniga faasaga ia i latou pe afai e leʻi faʻamalosia.
• Iunivesite po o le Komiti Faʻafoe: E ui ina o iunivesite a le setete i Texas, e aofia ai faʻalapotopotoga o loʻo mafaufauina e aiga Amerika Samoa e auina atu o latou fanau, e ono faʻamautuina le puipuiga o le malo (o se tulafono e puipuia ai faʻalapotopotoga faʻa malo mai tagi), e iai tuusaunoaga taua. E mafai ona nofovaevaeina iunivesite mo:
  • Faʻatamala tele poʻo le amioga loto i ai.
  • Le amanaiaina ma le loto i ai i lamatiaga o le hazing ua iloa, aemaise lava i mataupu e aofia ai soliga o le Title IX poʻo se faiga o faitioga e le amanaiaina.
  • Vaʻaiga faʻatamala o faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga.
  • Galuega faʻapitoa poʻo le le faʻatinoina e tagata faigaluega poʻo pulega a le iunivesite.
    O iunivesite tumaoti (e pei o SMU ma Baylor) e masani lava ona itiiti le puipuiga mai le puipuiga nai lo faʻalapotopotoga a le malo.
• Tagata Lona Tolu: E faʻalagolago i faʻamatalaga patino o se faʻalavelave, e mafai foi ona nofovaevaeina isi faalapotopotoga:
  • Pule o Meatotino/Tagata Nofomau: Afai na tupu le hazing i se fale mautotogi po o se nofoaga, o tagata e ona meatotino na iloa pe tatau ona iloa e uiga i faiga faasolitulafono e mafai ona nofovaevaeina.
  • Tagata e Taliaina Tagata ma Tagata Faʻatau Ava Malosi: O tagata na tuʻuina atu ava malosi i tamaiti laiti poʻo faʻalapotopotoga laiseneina na tuʻuina atu i tagata ‘onā (e taʻua o “tulafono fale inu”) e mafai ona taofia.
  • Kamupani Saogalemu/Faʻatulagaina o Mea Tulsaia: Afai na faʻatulagaina faʻapolofesa se mea na tupu, o le le faia o ni saogalemu talafeagai poʻo le le vaʻaia lelei e mafai ona mafua ai le nofovaevaeina.

O mataupu hazing uma lava e faʻavae i mea moni, ma e le o vaega uma e nofovaevaeina i tulaga uma. O le iloaina o tagata uma e ono aafia ai e manaʻomia se suʻesuʻega maeʻaeʻa e loia faʻapitoa ma poto masani.

Tulaga Faʻamatalaga a le Atunuʻu (Tala Faʻavae)

A afaina se tamaitiiti aʻoga mai Amerika Samoa ona o le faʻamalosiga i Texas, e lē o tuʻueseina lona tulaga. E faʻavae i luga o le tele o tausaga o faʻalavelave faanoanoa ma faʻamasinoga faaletulafono na manumalo i le atunuʻu atoa. O nei tala faʻavae e faʻaalia ai e le gata o taunuuga leaga o le faʻamalosiga ae faʻapea foʻi ma faʻataʻitaʻiga faaletulafono na faʻamautūina e faʻamaonia ai le mafai ona vaʻaia ma le faʻatamala, ma faʻamalosia ai mataupu mo tagata afaina i Texas.

Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le ‘Ona o le Ava Malosi & Maliu: O Se Faʻalavelave Faʻaauau

O le faʻataʻitaʻiga sili ona masani ma sili ona oti i le hazing e aofia ai le faʻamalosi e inu ava malosi. O nei mataupu e faʻaalia ai lamatiaga o le ‘onā tele faʻatasi ma se aganuu o le le leoa ma le faʻatagaina o le faʻatalitali i togafitiga faafomaʻi.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): O lenei mataupu na teʻi ai le atunuʻu ma faʻaolaina ai le toe fuataʻiga o le tetee atu i le hazing. I le taimi o se mea faʻapitoa e talia ai tagata fou, na faamalosi ai Timothy Piazza, o le 19 tausaga, e inu le tele o le ava malosi. Ina ua mavae le paʻu faifai pea, na mafatia ai i manuʻa tuga o le faiʻai, na faʻatuai ai tagata o le faʻalapotopotoga e valaʻau mo fesoasoani faafomaʻi mo toetoe lava 12 itula. O ana itula tigā na puʻeina manino i luga o a latou mea pueata saogalemu. O le mea na tupu na mafua ai le tele o moliaga solitulafono faasaga i tagata o le faʻalapotopotoga, tagi faʻale-tagata lautele, ma le fausiaina o le Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law malosi a Pennsylvania. O le lesona e manino: o le ‘onā tele, o le faʻatuai i le valaau 911, ma se aganuu o le le leoa e tuʻufaʻatasia e faatupuina ai se tulaga faaletulafono matautia mo vaega uma o aafia.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): I ni nai masina talu ona maliu Piazza, na maliu ai Andrew Coffey, 20 tausaga, ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi i le taimi o le “Po Tūluga Uo Matua” (Big Brother Night). Na tuʻuina atu fagu ava malosi i tamaiti aʻoga ma faʻamalosia e inu. O moliaga o le faʻamalosiga na iʻu ai i faasalaga mo le tele o sui, aʻo faʻamaloʻaloina e le FSU mo sina taimi le olaga Eleni atoa, ma toe teuteuina lana faiga faʻavae. O lenei mataupu na faʻamalosia ai le faʻaalia o le avea o ituaiga “tu ma aganuu” o po inu o se tusitusiga faʻaauau mo faʻalavelave, ma aʻafiaga i le atunuʻu.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, 18, na maliu ina ua uma se taʻaloga inu “suʻesuʻega Tusi Paʻia” lea na faʻamalosi ai o ia e inu ava malosi pe a tali sese fesili; o lona toto ava malosi e 0.495%. O le maliu faanoanoa na iʻu ai i faʻasalaga solitulafono, e aofia ai le fasioti tagata faʻatamala, ma faʻamalosia ai Louisiana e faʻaoʻo le Max Gruver Act, o se tulafono faʻaleaʻoaʻoga solitulafono. O lenei mea e faʻaalia ai le auala e masani ona iʻu ai le ita i le lautele ma faʻamaoniga manino o le faʻaleaʻoaʻoga i suiga faʻaletulafono.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, o se tamaʻi aʻoga e 18 tausaga, na lipotia mai na faʻamalosi e inu se lita o le uisiki i le taimi o se mea na tupu “Big/Little”. Na maliu o ia i le tolu aso mulimuli ane ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi. O le faʻalavelave na iʻu ai i le tele o faʻasalaga solitulafono, ma na malilie Bowling Green State University i se faʻaopoopoga toetoe lava $3 miliona ma lona aiga, faʻatasi ai ma isi faʻaopoopoga faalilolilo mai le faʻalapotopotoga ma tagata taʻitoʻatasi. O lenei mataupu na faʻailoa ai le mafai e iunivesite, e tusa lava ma i latou o le setete, ona feagai ma taunuuga tetele tau tupe ma faʻafitauli faʻaaloalo faʻatasi ma faʻalapotopotoga. O le mataupu na iʻu ai foi i le faʻatulafonoina o le Collin’s Law a Ohio, lea e avea ai le hazing ma solitulafono pe a mafua ai e le ava malosi poʻo vailaʻau ni manuʻa faaletino.

Faʻataʻitaʻiga o Faʻamalosiga Faʻaletino & Faʻasālemo: E le Naʻo le Inu

E le naʻo le ava malosi le hazing; o tu ma aganuʻu e aofia ai faʻalavelave faaletino, tumau, poʻo sauniga matautia e iai foʻi se talaʻaga umi ma leaga.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, o se tamaʻi aʻoga e 19 tausaga, na maliu ina ua maeʻa se faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻatupu faʻalavelave “glass ceiling” i se avanoa i fafo o le lotoa i le Pocono Mountains. Na pupuʻeina ona mata ma faʻamamafa i se ato, na togia pea lava pea o ia. Na faʻatuai tagata o le faʻalapotopotoga e valaʻau le 911 mo le itula, ona taumafai lea e natia. Na faʻasalaina le tele o sui, ma na faʻasalaina faʻasolitulafono le faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele mo le osofaʻiga faʻatupoʻa ma le fasioti tagata e leʻi faʻamoemoeina, ma iʻu ai i se faʻasāsā e 10 tausaga mai aʻoga i Pennsylvania ma sala tupe tetele. O lenei mataupu faʻasolopito na faʻamaonia ai e oʻo lava i “malaga” i fafo o le lotoa e mafai ona matautia pe sili atu foʻi nai lo pati i luga o le lotoa, ma e mafai ona iʻu ai i le leai o se nofovaevaeina a faʻalapotopotoga.

Hazing ma Faʻasaua Polokalame Taʻaloga: E le Naʻo le Olaga Eleni

O le hazing e masani ona tupu i faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga, e oʻo lava i polokalame taʻaloga maualuluga lea e masani ona natia ai o ni faʻamalosiga o le ‘au poʻo ni faiga faʻamatua.

• Lakapi a le Northwestern University (2023–2025): I se faʻalavelave faʻatupulaia lata mai, na tuʻuaʻia e tagata taʻaloga lakapi muamua a le Northwestern le lautele o le hazing faʻafeusuaiga ma faʻailoga tagata i totonu o le polokalame mo le tele o tausaga. E aofia ai faiga faʻafeusuaiga faʻamalosi, faʻailoga tagata faʻavae i le ituaiga, ma faʻasaua faʻaletino. O le faʻalavelave na iʻu ai i le tele o tagi faasaga i le iunivesite ma le aufaʻiaʻoga, o le faʻateʻaina o le faiaʻoga autu o Pat Fitzgerald (o le na mulimuli ane faʻaiʻuina se faʻamasinoga mo le faʻateʻaina sese faalilolilo ma le iunivesite), ma se suʻesuʻega tutoʻatasi. O lenei mea na faʻaalia ai e le gata i le olaga Eleni le hazing ma e mafai ona aʻafia ai polokalame taʻaloga tetele, ma togi ai ni fesili tuga e uiga i le vaʻaiga a le faʻalapotopotoga.

O le a le Uiga o Nei Mataupu mo Aiga Amerika Samoa i Texas

O nei mataupu faʻalauaʻitele e faʻavaeina ni faʻataʻitaʻiga mamana e aʻafia saʻo ai aiga Amerika Samoa i Texas o loʻo ono feagai ma tulaga faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi i UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, poʻo Baylor. O loʻo faʻaalia mai e nei faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi ni faiga masani: o le faʻamalosi e inu, faʻasaua faaletino, sauaina faalemafaufau, faʻalumaina, faʻaleaga, ma, e taua tele, le faʻatagaina poʻo le teena o le togafitiga faafomaʻi e masani ona mulimuli mai ai ni faʻataʻavalevale.

O le faʻataʻitaʻiga o le le manuia o faʻalapotopotoga i le puipuia ma le faʻafeagai ma le hazing ua masani ona iʻu ai i taunuuga leaga. Ae peitaʻi, o tali faaletulafono—faʻaopoopoga tupe e tele miliona, faasalaga solitulafono, ma tulafono fou a le setete ma le feterale—ua faʻaalia ai e mafai ona i ai se tiute. Mo aiga o loʻo sailia le faʻamaoni mo le afaina o le hazing i iunivesite i Texas, o nei mataupu faʻavae a le atunuʻu e tuʻuina atu ai se faʻavae mamana, faʻamaonia le foreseeability ma faʻamalosia finauga mo le faʻatamala tuga ma e oʻo lava i le faʻaleaga faʻasalaga. O lesona na aʻoaʻoina mai nei faʻalavelave faʻaola tagata e mafai ai ona sailia e tagata afaina e le gata o le taui ae faʻapele foʻi ma le toe fuataʻiga o faʻalapotopotoga.

Iunivesite: Amerika Samoa (Papa > Oceania > Amerika Samoa) ma Texas

E ui lava e leai ni iunivesite e faʻaaoga ai le faailoga faaletausaga e fa i totonu tonu o Amerika Samoa, ae tele aiga e vaʻavaʻai i le matafaga mo avanoa faʻaleaʻoaʻoga maualugā, ma o iunivesite i Texas o se filifiliga lauiloa. O lenei vaega o loʻo suʻesuʻeina ai ni faʻalapotopotoga taʻutaʻua i Texas e ono auai ai tamaiti aʻoga mai Amerika Samoa, ma taulaʻi atu i a latou luʻitau o le hazing, faiga faʻavae, ma mea e manaʻomia ona iloa e aiga.

Mo aiga i Amerika Samoa, o le malamalama i siosiomaga faapitoa o nei iunivesite e taua tele. E ui o le Attorney911 o loʻo galue mai le matou ofisa autu i Houston, matou te fai ma sui o aiga i Texas atoa. E tusa lava pe aʻoga lau tama mai le mamao mai Amerika Samoa, o le tulafono a Texas e uiga i le hazing ma loia poto masani a Texas e mafai ona tuʻuina atu fesoasoani talafeagai.

Iunivesite o Houston (UH)

Ata Puʻupuʻu o le Lotoa & Aganuʻu

O le Iunivesite o Houston o se lotoa a le taulaga tele, olaola, o loʻo i le ogatotonu o Houston. O loʻo tautua ai le faitau sefulu afe o tamaiti aʻoga, ua ofoina atu e le UH se siʻosiʻomaga aʻoaʻoga eseese ma se faʻafefiloi o tamaiti aʻoga faimalaga ma tamaiti aʻoga nofoia. E faʻamaualugaina ai se nuʻu olaola o le olaga Eleni, o loʻo faʻatusalia ai faʻalapotopotoga eseese o tagata soa ma sororities mai le Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, NPHC, ma faʻalapotopotoga Eleni faʻale-aganuʻu. E le gata i lea, e tele foʻi faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga a le UH, e aofia ai kulupu faʻaleaganuʻu, kalapu taʻaloga, ma faʻalapotopotoga aʻoaʻoga, o ia mea uma e saofaga i se aganuʻu lotoa ola.

Faiga Faʻavae Aloaʻia mo Hazing & Auala Lipoti

O le Iunivesite o Houston o loʻo ia te ia se faʻavae tetee-hazing malosi, ma faʻamamafa le leai o se faʻatagaga. O la latou faʻavae, e toe teuteuina i nisi taimi, e faasaina ai le hazing i soʻo se ituaiga, tusa lava pe tupu i luga o le lotoa poʻo fafo atu o le lotoa. E faʻapitoa lava, e faasaina ai le faʻamalosia o le inu ava malosi, meaʻai, vailaʻau, le lava o le moe, togafitiga faaletino, ma le mafatia faalemafaufau o se vaega o soʻo se amataga poʻo gaioiga a le kulupu. E tuʻuina atu e le UH auala lipoti manino e ala i lana ofisa o le Dean of Students, le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga, ma le University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). E masani ona faʻasalalau e le iunivesite se faʻamatalaga e uiga i le hazing i lona upega tafailagi, e masani ona aofia ai faʻamatalaga e uiga i soliga ma faʻasalaga tuanaʻi, e ui lava o le tulaga o auiliiliga e mafai ona eseese pe a faʻatusatusa i isi faʻalapotopotoga. O nei faʻavae e faʻamoemoe e fatuina se siosiomaga saogalemu, ae o le luʻitau o loʻo faʻaauau pea i le faʻamalosia faifai pea ma le usitaʻi a tamaiti aʻoga.

Faʻamatalaga o Faʻalavelave & Tali

O le Iunivesite o Houston, e le gata i lea, e tele ana faʻalavelave faʻamaumau o le hazing. O se faʻataʻitaʻiga taua na aofia ai le Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) faʻalapotopotoga i le 2016. Na tuʻuaʻia e ni tamaiti aʻoga taʻitoʻatasi le le lava o le moe ma le leai o ni meaʻai mo le tele o aso, ma iʻu ai i se faʻalavelave lea na manuʻa ai se tasi tamaitiiti aʻoga i se manuʻa o le spleen ina ua faʻataʻitaʻiina i luga o se laulau poʻo se isi mea. O lenei mea na iʻu ai i moliaga o le hazing ma se faʻamalolo mai le iunivesite mo le laulau. E ui lava o lenei faʻalavelave faʻapitoa e muamua atu i le mataupu faʻasolopito o le hazing o loʻo taʻitaʻia nei e le matou fono, ae o loʻo faʻaalia ai le ituaiga o hazing faʻaletino tuga na feagai ma le UH.

Talu ai nei, o la matou ofisa, le Attorney911, o loʻo faia faʻamasinoga o se mataupu tele o le hazing faasaga i le University of Houston ma Pi Kappa Phi. I le faaiuga o le 2025, na faila ai e le Attorney911 se tagi $10 miliona e fai ma sui o Leonel Bermudez, o se tamaitiiti aoga na siitia ma se tautoga a le Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. Na mafatia Bermudez i le tulaga faigata o le fatugaʻo ma le rhabdomyolysis ona o tuʻuaʻiga o le hazing matuia. O le faʻalavelave na aofia ai le faʻamalosi e faʻamalositino, faʻamalosiga faʻatauvaʻa, ma le faʻamalosia e inu vailaʻau. O le hazing na tupu i nofoaga eseese, e aofia ai le fale o le Pi Kappa Phi chapter, se nofoaga tumaoti i Culmore Drive, ma Yellowstone Boulevard Park i Houston. O nisi o faiga hazing faʻapitoa o loʻo auiliiliina i totonu o la matou tagi e aofia ai:

• Na manaʻomia e tamaiti aʻoga fou ona ave se “fanny pack” o le tautoga e iai mea faʻatauvaʻa e pei o le condom ma se meataalo faʻafeusuaiga, ma faʻamataʻu o le faasalaga mo le le usitaʻi.
• Faʻasūina o le paipa “e pei o le waterboarding” ma faʻamataʻu o le waterboarding moni.
• Itula umi o poloka “suʻesuʻe/galuega” ma aʻoga e faʻamalosia ma tiute faʻaauauina i le po/tuai i le po.
• I le Nov. 3, 2025, na faʻamalosia Bermudez e faʻamaeʻaina le sili atu i le 100 push-ups ma le 500 squats, ma tuʻu ai o ia e le mafai ona tu.
• Faʻamalosia e inu susu, hot dogs, ma pepa uliuli seʻia puaʻi, ona mulimuli mai ai lea o le sosola vave.
• Na tuʻuaʻia se isi tautoga na nonoa i se puaa e tagata matutua i le Nov. 13, 2025.

O le tulaga tuga o Bermudez, na faʻailogaina e le mimi enaena ma le maualuga tele o le creatine kinase, na manaʻomia ai le fa nofoaiga aso i le falemaʻi. Na faʻamalolo e le iunivesite le Beta Nu chapter i le Nov. 6, 2025, ma i le Nov. 14, 2025, na palota ai le chapter e tuʻuina atu lana laisene, ma iʻu ai i lona tapunia tumau. O le tagi a le Attorney911 o loʻo taʻua ai le University of Houston, le UH System Board of Regents, le ofisa autu o le Pi Kappa Phi, le kamupani fale faʻalotoifale, ma le 13 tagata taʻitoʻatasi o le fraternity o ni tagata o loʻo molia. E pei ona taʻua e Ralph Manginello, “O lona mimi e enaena,” ma faʻaalia ai le tuga o le rhabdomyolysis. Na faaopoopo mai Lupe Peña, “Afai e puipuia ai lenei mea mai le afaina o se isi tagata… Tatou faʻaalia lenei mea. Ua lava lea.” O lenei faʻamasinoga o loʻo faʻagasolo pea o loʻo faʻamamafa ai lamatiaga tetele o le hazing i le UH ma le tuʻufaʻatasia faaletulafono a le Attorney911 e tuliloa le faʻamaonia.

O lenei mataupu ua tele lipoti i le aufaasālalau a Houston:

• 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/
• ABC13: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

E Faʻafefea ona Faʻaauau se Mataupu Hazing UH

O mataupu taufaʻafefe e aofia ai le Iunivesite o Houston e masani ona i ai ni faʻamasinoga faaletulafono lavelave ona o le tele o tagata ua molia ma le felafolafoaʻi o faiga faʻavae a faʻalapotopotoga ma tulafono tau solitulafono. O tagi o le a faila i faʻamasinoga e iai le pule i Houston/Harris County, e faʻaaoga ai loia poto masani a Houston. O faʻalapotopotoga o loʻo aafia e mafai ona aofia ai le UHPD mo faʻalavelave i luga o le lotoa poʻo le Houston Police Department mo faʻalavelave e tutupu i fafo atu o le lotoa ae i totonu lava o le taulaga. O se tagi faʻalotoifale faasaga i le UH poʻo ona vaega e tatau ona faʻatautaia ma le faʻaeteete talosaga mo le puipuiga o le malo, ma taulaʻi atu i tuusaunoaga e pei o le faʻatamala tele, le amanaiaina ma le loto i ai, poʻo soliga o le Title IX. O mataupu faasaga i faʻalapotopotoga ma tagata taʻitoʻatasi o le a masani ona tuʻuaʻia le faʻatamala, faʻatamala tele, osofaʻiga, ma e ono ma le oti sese poʻo le manuʻa tuga o le tagata lava ia, e faʻalagolago i le taunuuga.

O Mea e Tatau Ona Fai e Tamaiti Aʻoga ma Matua UH i Amerika Samoa

Mo tamaiti aʻoga Amerika Samoa ma matua o loʻo feagai ma le hazing i le Iunivesite o Houston, o laʻasaga muaʻi o le taua tele:

• Lipotia Vave: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le ofisa o le UH Dean of Students, le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga, poʻo le UHPD e lipoti faʻalavelave. E mafai foi ona maua filifiliga e lipoti ai i luga ole laiga e aunoa ma le faʻailoa o le igoa.
• Faʻamaumau Mea Uma: Aoina uma faʻamaoniga: ata pupuni o talatalanoaga vaega, ata/vitio o manuʻa, ma faʻamaumauga auiliili o faʻalavelave (o ai, o le a, o afea, o fea). Faʻasaoina ma le faʻaeteete faʻamaumauga faafomaʻi.
• Saili Loia Poto Masani: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911 mo se faʻatalanoaga faalilolilo. O matou loia, o loʻo poto masani i mataupu hazing i Houston, e mafai ona maua faʻasalaga muamua ma faila faʻalotoifale a le iunivesite, e masani ona le faʻasalalauina, ae taua tele mo le fausiaina o se mataupu malosi.

Texas A&M University

Ata Puʻupuʻu o le Lotoa & Aganuʻu

O le Iunivesite o Texas A&M, o loʻo i College Station, o loʻo faʻatumauina i tu ma aganuʻu, ma se aganuʻu tulaga ese o loʻo matua aʻafia i lona talaʻaga faʻaauau, aemaise lava le Corps of Cadets. O loʻo faʻamaualuga ai se tasi o tamaiti aʻoga sili ona tele i le atunuʻu, ma faʻamalosia ai se lagona malosi o le nuʻu ma le faʻamaoni i le au Aggies. O le olaga Eleni e iai foʻi sona matafaioi taua, o loʻo ofoina atu ai se isi vaʻaiga faʻaagafesootai i le Corps. Tamaiti aʻoga mai Amerika Samoa o loʻo sailia se faʻafefiloi o tu ma aganuʻu, le faigata o le aʻoga, ma se siʻosiʻomaga lotoa olaola e masani ona vaʻaia le Texas A&M e fiafia i ai.

Faiga Faʻavae Aloaʻia mo Hazing & Auala Lipoti

O Texas A&M e matuā mamafa le faasāina o le hazing, e atagia mai ai le Tulafono Faʻaleaʻoaʻoga a Texas ma se tuʻulima’o a le iunivesite mo le saogalemu o tamaiti aʻoga. O a latou faiga faʻavae e masani ona faʻamatalaina lautele le hazing, e aofia ai le sauaina faʻaletino, faʻalemafaufau, ma faʻalelagona, faʻamalosi, ma le faʻalumaina mo le amataga poʻo le avea pea ma tagata. O le Tulafono o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga o loʻo faʻamatalaina manino sala mo tagata taʻitoʻatasi ma faʻalapotopotoga ua maua le nofovaevaeina. E mafai ona faia lipoti e ala i le Student Conduct Office, le Dean of Students, le University Police Department (UPD), poʻo ala faʻa lipoti e aunoa ma le faʻailoa o le igoa. O le Corps of Cadets e iai foʻi ana lava tulafono faʻamasinoga i totonu ma auala lipoti, e ui ina latou e masani ona faitioina mo le faʻafitauli.

Faʻamatalaga o Faʻalavelave & Tali

Texas A&M, e ui i a latou tu ma aganuu, ua feagai ma le tele o tuuaʻiga ma faʻalavelave taufaʻafefe i le olaga Eleni ma le Corps of Cadets.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Tagi (pe tusa o le 2021): O lenei mataupu faʻalavelave faapitoa na aofia ai le lua o tautoga na tuʻuaʻia e faapea i le taimi o le hazing, na ufiufi i latou i le faamamāina malosi o le fale gaosi oloa, fuamoa mata, ma le feanu, ma mafua ai mu matautia o le paʻu lea na manaʻomia ai togafitiga tipitipi faʻafuaseʻi mo le faʻapipiiina o le paʻu. Na faʻamalolo le laulau o le faʻalapotopotoga e le iunivesite, ma na faila e le au tautoga na afaina se tagi e manaʻomia ai le tusa ma le $1 miliona mo faʻaleagaina. O lenei faʻalavelave na faʻaalia ai tulaga matautia ma le sauā o le hazing, e tusa lava pe natia o “tu ma aganuu.”
• Tagi a le Corps of Cadets (2023): Na faila e se tagata muamua o le cadet se tagi o loʻo tuʻuaʻia ai le faʻatamala ma le sauā i totonu o le Corps. O tuʻuaʻiga na aofia ai faiga faʻafeusuaiga faʻafuaseʻi ma le fusi i le va o moega i se foliga “puaa tao” ma se apu i lona gutu. Na manaʻomia e le cadet le sili atu i le $1 miliona, ma fai mai na matua mafatia faʻalemafaufau ma faʻaletino. Texas A&M na faʻaalia le suʻesuʻeina o le mataupu i lalo o lana Tulafono o Amioga.

O nei faʻalavelave o loʻo faʻaalia ai le luʻitau faifai pea o le hazing e tusa lava i se siosiomaga e matua faʻatulagaina e pei o Texas A&M. O tali a le iunivesite na aofia ai faʻamalolo, faʻamaonia, ma faiga faʻasalaga, ae o faiga faaletulafono e masani ona faʻaalia ai le manaʻomia o le sili atu o le faʻamalosia ma le nofovaevaeina.

E Faʻafefea ona Faʻaauau se Mataupu Hazing a le Texas A&M

O mataupu taufaʻafefe i Texas A&M e masani ona aofia ai le College Station Police Department poʻo Leoleo o le Iunivesite, aemaise lava mo soliga e tutupu i luga poʻo latalata i le lotoa. O tagi faʻalotoifale o le a faʻagasolo i faʻamasinoga i totonu o Brazos County. Ona o le tulaga o le iunivesite o se faʻalapotopotoga a le malo, o mataupu faasaga i Texas A&M e mafai ona feagai ma finauga o le puipuiga o le malo, e manaʻomia ai tagi e faʻaalia le faʻatamala tele poʻo isi tuusaunoaga e talepe ai lenei puipuiga. O tagata e ono molia o le a aofia ai tamaiti aʻoga taʻitoʻatasi, vaega faʻalotoifale, faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele (mo le olaga Greek), ma e ono aafia ai tagata maualuluga i totonu o le Corps of Cadets poʻo le pulega a le iunivesite, e faʻalagolago i lo latou iloa ma o latou matafaioi.

O Mea e Tatau Ona Fai e Tamaiti Aʻoga ma Matua Texas A&M i Amerika Samoa

O tamaiti aʻoga Amerika Samoa o loʻo auai poʻo loʻo fuafua e auai i Texas A&M, ma o latou matua, e tatau ona mataala:

• Malamalama i Ala Lipoti: Ia faamasani i le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga a Texas A&M ma faiga lipoti faapitoa mo le Corps of Cadets.
• Faʻamaumau ma le Matua Fua: Afai e tupu se faʻalavelave, vave ona aoina ma faasaoina uma faʻamaoniga: ata pupuni o talanoaga i vaega, ata o manuʻa, ma faʻamatalaga auiliili.
• Saili Loia Poto Masani i Tulafono a Texas: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911 mo se faʻatalanoaga faalilolilo. O le poto masani o la matou ofisa i faʻalapotopotoga tetele a le malo ma faʻamasinoga faigata e taua tele mo le faʻatautaia o mataupu e aofia ai le aganuu tulaga ese ma le tulaga faaletulafono a Texas A&M.

Iunivesite o Texas i Austin (UT)

Ata Puʻupuʻu o le Lotoa & Aganuʻu

O le Iunivesite o Texas i Austin o le faʻalapotopotoga autu lea o le University of Texas System, e taʻutaʻua mo lana tulaga aʻoaʻoga maualuga, le olaola o le olaga i luga o le kolisi, ma tu ma aganuʻu loloto. O loʻo i le ogatotonu o le laumua o le setete, e faatosina mai ai e le UT Austin le tele o tamaiti aʻoga mai Texas atoa, le atunuʻu, ma le lalolagi. O lona olaga Eleni e tele ma aʻafia, ma o le tele o ‘au faʻaonoponei ma isi faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga e taua tele i le aganuʻu i luga o le kolisi. Mo aiga Amerika Samoa, o le UT Austin o loʻo faʻatusalia ai se aʻoaʻoga maualuga i se siosiomaga olaola, e ui lava e faigata i nisi taimi, faʻaagafesootai.

Faiga Faʻavae Aloaʻia mo Hazing & Auala Lipoti

UT Austin o loʻo ia te ia se faʻavae malosi e tetee atu ai i le hazing, e matua faasaina soʻo se gaioiga e faʻamataʻuina le soifua maloloina poʻo le saogalemu faalemafaufau poʻo le tino o se tamaitiiti aoga mo le amataga, fesoʻotaʻiga, poʻo le avea ma tagata. O loʻo faʻamatalaina manino e le iunivesite amioga e taʻua o le hazing (e.g., faʻamalosi e inu, faʻasaua faʻaletino, le lava o le moe, poʻo le faʻalumaina) ma auiliiliina sala e ono tupu, e mafai ona amata mai i le faʻamalolo i le faʻateʻaina poʻo le faʻateʻaina mo tagata taʻitoʻatasi, ma le leai o se aloaʻia mo faʻalapotopotoga. Ua ofo atu e le UT Austin se itulau Faʻasalaga Faʻalavelave Faʻafuaseʻi e faigofie ona maua i luga o lana upega tafailagi. O lenei tusi o loʻo lisiina ai faʻalapotopotoga, aso o faʻalavelave, amioga faʻapitoa o loʻo aofia ai i soliga, ma sala e maua ai. O lenei tulaga o le manino e seasea maua i iunivesite ma e avea o se fesoasoani taua mo tamaiti aʻoga, matua, ma loia. E mafai ona faia lipoti e ala i le Dean of Students, le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga, poʻo le University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Faʻamatalaga o Faʻalavelave & Tali

O tusi faamaumau lautele a le UT Austin e uiga i Faʻasalaga e Faʻamalosia ai o loʻo faʻaalia ai se faʻataʻitaʻiga manino o luʻitau o loʻo faʻaauau pea i le hazing. E ui lava e ono taumafai nisi aʻoga e natia ia faʻamatalaga, ae e matua manino le UT pe a faatusatusa.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): O loʻo faʻaalia e faʻamaumauga o lenei faʻalapotopotoga na faʻasalaina mo le soli o tulafono o le hazing lea na faʻatonuina ai tagata fou e inu susu ma faia faʻamalositino malosi. Na faʻamoeina le laulau ma manaʻomia e faʻatino ni aʻoaʻoga fou e puipuia ai le hazing.
• Texas Wranglers (Faʻalapotopotoga Faʻafiafia): O lenei faʻalapotopotoga faʻafiafia ua taʻutaʻua sa faʻasalaina i le taimi ua tuanaʻi mo faiga faʻamāmā, e aofia ai faʻamalositino faʻamalosia, faʻamāmā e fesoʻotaʻi ma le ava malosi, ma amataga faʻavae faʻasalaga na faʻatauvaʻa i tagata fou.
• Texas Cowboys (Faʻalapotopotoga Faʻafiafia): I le 2018, na maliu ai se “tagata fou” o le Texas Cowboys i se faʻalavelave taʻavale. E ui na faʻafiti muamua e le iunivesite se fesoʻotaʻiga saʻo ma le hazing, na faʻatulaʻia ni tuʻuaʻiga o le lelava tele o le moe ma galuega faigata, o ni ituaiga o hazing. Na iu lava ina toesea le faʻailoaina aloaʻia o le faʻalapotopotoga ona o faʻalavelave faʻaletino e leʻi fesoʻotaʻi.

O nei faʻalavelave faʻamaumau, o loʻo avanoa faʻalauaʻitele, e mafai ona matua lagolagoina tagi faʻaletulafono e ala i le faʻaalia o se faiga o le faʻatamala, leai o se faʻamalosia lelei, poʻo le iloa muamua o lamatiaga o le hazing e le iunivesite poʻo faʻalapotopotoga faʻapitoa. O le tusi o loʻo faʻasalalau e le UT, e tulaga ese i iunivesite o Texas, e tuʻuina atu ai faʻamaoniga taua mo le faʻamaonia o le foreseeability.

E Faʻafefea ona Faʻaauau se Mataupu Hazing a UT Austin

O mataupu hazing i le UT Austin e masani ona aofia ai le UTPD mo faʻalavelave i luga o le lotoa poʻo le Austin Police Department mo faʻalavelave i fafo atu o le lotoa. O tagi faʻalotoifale o le a faila i faʻamasinoga o Travis County. E pei o le UH, o le UT Austin (o se iunivesite a le malo) e mafai ona faʻamautuina le puipuiga o le Pulega. Ae peitaʻi, o le faʻamaumauga faʻalauaʻitele o soliga e mafai ona avea ma faʻamaoniga mamana e finau ai mo tuusaunoaga i le puipuiga, aemaise lava e uiga i le vaʻaiga faʻatamala poʻo le le amanaiaina leaga o faiga masani. O tagata e ono molia e aofia ai tamaiti aʻoga taʻitoʻatasi, vaega o le lotoifale, faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele, ma pulega maualuluga o le iunivesite na iloa le tele o soliga e aunoa ma le faia o se faʻagaioiga lelei.

O Mea e Tatau Ona Fai e Tamaiti Aʻoga ma Matua UT Austin i Amerika Samoa

Mo tamaiti aʻoga Amerika Samoa ma matua e fesoʻotaʻi ma UT Austin:

• Suʻesuʻe le Tusi Lesona o Soliga Hazing: Siaki masani le itulau faʻalauaʻitele a le UT e uiga i soliga hazing i le https://hazing.utexas.edu. O lenei malamalama o lou puipuiga sili lea ma e mafai ona faʻailoa au filifiliga.
• Faʻamaumau & Lipoti: Soʻo se faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi e tatau ona faʻamaumauina maeʻaeʻa (ata pupuni, ata, faʻamatalaga auiliili) ma lipoti atu i le ofisa o le Dean of Students poʻo le UTPD.
• Faʻatalanoa Tagata Poto Faaletulafono: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911. O lo matou malamalama loloto i le tulafono o le hazing i Texas ma le poto masani ma iunivesite a le malo e pei o le UT Austin e mafai ona fesoasoani e foia faigata o a latou faiga faʻavae ma le faiga faʻamasinoga.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Ata Puʻupuʻu o le Lotoa & Aganuʻu

O le Southern Methodist University, o loʻo i Dallas, o se iunivesite tumaoti e taʻutaʻua mo ana aʻoaʻoga ma le faigata, le lotoa matagofie, ma le malosi, e masani ona mauʻoa, o loʻo i ai le olaga Eleni. E faʻatupuina ai se olaga faʻaagafesootai olaola lea e taua tele ai faʻalapotopotoga ma sororities, o loʻo aofia ai se vaega tele o le aufaigaluega a tamaiti aʻoga. O lenei siosiomaga e ofoina atu ai se poto masani tulaga ese ae o loʻo faʻamauaʻi foʻi ni luʻitau tulaga ese e uiga i aganuʻu lotoa ma le hazing. E mafai ona faʻatosina aiga Amerika Samoa o loʻo mafaufau i le SMU i lona taʻutaʻuga lauiloa ma le lagona faʻatasi o le nuʻu, ae e tatau foʻi ona latou nofouta i mamafa faʻaagafesootai i totonu o ana faʻalapotopotoga Eleni.

Faiga Faʻavae Aloaʻia mo Hazing & Auala Lipoti

O loʻo ia te le SMU se faʻavae malosi e tetee atu ai i le hazing lea e matua faʻasalalauina atu i tamaiti aʻoga ma faʻalapotopotoga. I le avea ai o se faʻalapotopotoga tumaoti, o faʻavae a le SMU e masani ona tutusa ma tulafono a le setete ae e aofia ai foʻi tulafono faʻalotoifale ma faiga faʻasalaga. O le faʻavae e faasaina lautele soʻo se gaioiga e mafai ona afaina ai le tino poʻo le mafaufau poʻo le faʻalumaina o se isi tagata o se tuʻutuʻuga mo le avea ma tagata. E faʻaaoga e le SMU auala lipoti e ala i lana Ofisa o le Dean of Students, Mataupu a Tamaiti Aʻoga, ma le SMU Police Department. Latou te ofoina atu foʻi faiga lipoti e aunoa ma le faʻailoa o le igoa, e pei o le “Stop Hate,” lea e mafai ona aofia ai le hazing. E ui e leʻo ia te le SMU se tusi faʻamaumau faʻasalaga hazing e pei o le UT Austin, ae o loʻo faʻamalosia e suʻesuʻe uma lipoti ma faia se faiga faʻasalaga talafeagai.

Faʻamatalaga o Faʻalavelave & Tali

Ua feagai foi le SMU ma le tele o tuuaiga o le hazing, aemaise lava e uiga i ana faʻalapotopotoga Eleni taʻutaʻua.

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): Na aafia lenei faʻalapotopotoga i se faʻalavelave tele o le hazing lea na lipotia mai ai na sasaina tagata fou, faʻamalosia e inu tele le ava malosi, ma leai se moe. Na faʻamalolo le laulau e le iunivesite mo le tele o tausaga, ma na faʻatapulaʻaina le tele o ona gafatia e faʻatauaina pe galue seʻia tusa o le 2021. O lenei faʻalavelave na maua ai le tele o le gauai a le atunuʻu ma faʻamaonia ai le tumau o le hazing faaletino ma faasaga i le ava malosi i le faiga Eleni.
• Ua tupu isi faʻalavelave o faʻalapotopotoga (Elini ma le Elini) ua faʻamoeina poʻo le faʻamalolo mo soliga e uiga i le faʻaaoga sese o le ava malosi, amioga le talafeagai i faʻaagafesootai, ma ituaiga faʻaalia o le hazing.

O nei faʻalavelave o loʻo faʻaalia ai taumafaiga a le SMU e faʻamalosia ana faiga faʻavae, ae faʻapele foʻi luʻitau o loʻo i ai i le vaʻaia o se faiga Eleni tele ma olaola. I le avea ai o se faʻalapotopotoga tumaoti, o faʻamaumauga faʻasalaga i totonu a le SMU e le masani ona avanoa faʻalauaʻitele, ma faia ai suʻesuʻega tutoʻatasi e loia e sili atu ona taua mo aiga pe a faia ni faiga faaletulafono.

E Faʻafefea ona Faʻaauau se Mataupu Hazing SMU

O tagi faʻalotoifale e afafaina ai le SMU o le a masani ona faila i faʻamasinoga o Dallas County. I le avea ai o se iunivesite tumaoti, e le masani ona maua e le SMU le puipuiga o le pulega, ma faia ai o ia e ono mafai ona molia saʻo i tagi hazing i lalo o aʻoaʻoga o le vaʻaia faʻatamala, nofomauina o le nofovaevaeina, ma le le faʻamalosia o faiga faʻavae e ia lava, aemaise lava pe afai e iai se talaʻaga o faitioga e le amanaiaina poʻo ni faʻasalaga vaivai. E ono suʻesuʻeina e mataupu ni manatu o le vaʻaia faʻatamala, nofomauina o le nofovaevaeina, ma le le faʻamalosia o faiga faʻavae e tetee atu ai i le hazing, aemaise lava pe afai e iai se talaʻaga o le le amanaiaina o faitioga poʻo faʻasalaga vaivai. O le SMU PD ma le Dallas Police Department o le a aafia e faʻalagolago i le nofoaga o le faʻalavelave.

O Mea e Tatau Ona Fai e Tamaiti Aʻoga ma Matua SMU i Amerika Samoa

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa e fesoʻotaʻi ma le Southern Methodist University:

• Faʻaaoga Faiga Lipoti a le SMU: Ia faamasani i le Ofisa o le Dean of Students ma le “Stop Hate” faiga lipoti. O le lipoti faalilolilo o se filifiliga pe a iai se fefe vave i le tauimasui.
• Faʻalapotopotoga Tumaoti, Amioga Eseese: Ia malamalama o faʻalapotopotoga tumaoti e iai ni faiga faʻaalia eseese nai lo faʻalapotopotoga a le malo. O le faʻamaumauina o mea uma i lau itu e matua taua tele.
• Faʻatalanoa Loia ma Poto Masani Iunivesite Tumaoti: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911 mo se faʻatalanoaga faalilolilo. O lo matou ofisa e iai le poto masani i le faʻatautaia o le tulaga faaletulafono faapitoa o iunivesite tumaoti ma faʻalapotopotoga o loʻo fesoʻotaʻi ma i latou, lea e mafai ona matua eseese mai faʻalapotopotoga a le malo.

Iunivesite o Baylor

Ata Puʻupuʻu o le Lotoa & Aganuʻu

O le Baylor University, o loʻo i Waco, o le iunivesite sili ona leva o loʻo galue pea i Texas. O se iunivesite Kerisiano tumaoti e taʻutaʻua mo lona faʻatuatuaga malosi, polokalame aʻoaʻoga, ma tu ma aganuʻu taʻaloga faʻamalosia. O le aganuʻu a le iunivesite o Baylor e faʻaalia e lona talatuu Pasiketipolo, ma faʻamamafa ai le nuʻu, tautua, ma aoga faʻavae i le faʻatuatuaga. O le olaga Eleni e iai, ae e masani ona galue i totonu o le faʻavae lautele faʻalelotu a le iunivesite, ma masani ona iai ni taʻiala faʻapitoa e atagia ai ona aoga. E toʻatele tamaiti aʻoga, e aofia ai i latou mai Amerika Samoa, e filifili Baylor mo lona faʻafefiloi o le faʻatuatuaga, aʻoaʻoga, ma le nuʻu.

Faiga Faʻavae Aloaʻia mo Hazing & Auala Lipoti

O le Baylor University e iai se aga faʻavae manino ma matuā faʻamalosia e tetee atu ai i le hazing, ma faʻamamafa ai le “leai o se faʻatagaga” ona o lona faʻamoemoe faʻa-Kerisiano ma lona tuʻulimaʻo i le soifua manuia o tamaiti aʻoga. O le faʻavae e faasaina soʻo se gaioiga e mafua ai pe e ono mafua ai le le toʻa o le mafaufau poʻo le faaletino, faʻafeiloaʻi, poʻo le faʻalumaina o se isi tagata mo faʻamoemoe o le amataga poʻo le fesoʻotaʻiga. O le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga a Baylor ma lana Ofisa o le Title IX o ala lipoti autu ia, faʻatasi ai ma le Baylor Police Department. E masani ona faʻamamafa e le iunivesite lona tuʻulimaʻo i le saogalemu o tamaiti aʻoga i lana upega tafaʻilagi ma ala i polokalame faʻauluuluga, ma faʻamoemoe e fausia se aganuʻu e le talia ai le hazing.

Faʻamatalaga o Faʻalavelave & Tali

E ui i lona tulaga aloaʻia, ua feagai foi le Baylor University ma faʻalavelave taufaʻafefe, e masani ona faʻaalia ai se feteenaʻiga i le va o aʻoaʻoga o loʻo faʻaalia ma amioga moni a tamaiti aʻoga.

• Hazing o le Au Peisipolo a Baylor (2020): I se faʻalavelave faʻasalalau lautele, e 14 tagata taʻalo mai le ‘au pesipolo a Baylor na faʻamaloloina ina ua maeʻa se suʻesuʻega o le hazing. Na faʻasolosolo faʻamaloloina i le amataga o le vaitau e foia ai le amioga le talafeagai e aunoa ma le faʻamaloʻaloina o taʻaloga, ma faʻaalia ai se taumafaiga a le iunivesite e faʻatatau le nofovaevaeina ma le faʻaauauina o le polokalame. E ui e leʻi faʻasalalauina atoatoa faʻamatalaga faapitoa o le hazing, na faʻaalia e le faʻalavelave e faʻasili atu le hazing nai lo le olaga Eleni ma e mafai ona aʻafia ai polokalame sili ona taʻutaʻua.
• Luʻitau Faʻaleaganuʻu Lautele & Vaʻaiga: O le talaʻaga o Baylor e aofia ai faʻalavelave faʻapitoa e uiga i le osofaʻiga faʻafeusuaiga ma le usitaʻi i le Title IX, aemaise lava e uiga i lana polokalame lakapi i le ogatotonu o le 2010. E ui e leʻo se hazing saʻo, o nei faʻalavelave o loʻo faʻaalia ai ni faʻafitauli tetele o le vaʻaiga faʻalapotopotoga, o se aganuʻu o le le leoa, ma tali le talafeagai i amioga le talafeagai a tamaiti aʻoga. O se faʻamatalaga faapena o lona uiga o soʻo se tuʻuaʻiga fou o le hazing i Baylor o le a masani ona vaʻaia i le vaʻaiga o le tele o le gauai e uiga i le tuʻulimaʻo o le iunivesite i le puipuia o tamaiti aʻoga.

E Faʻafefea ona Faʻaauau se Mataupu Hazing Baylor

O tagi faʻalotoifale e aafia ai le Baylor University e masani ona faila i faʻamasinoga o McLennan County. I le avea ai o se faʻalapotopotoga tumaoti, e le maua e le Baylor le puipuiga a le malo, ma faia ai o ia e mafai ona molia saʻo i le litigation hazing i lalo o aʻoaʻoga o le vaʻaia faʻatamala, nofomauina o le nofovaevaeina, poʻo le le faʻamalosia o ana lava faiga faʻavae. E mafai foi ona aofia ai tamaiti aʻoga taʻitoʻatasi, vaega o le lotoifale, ma faʻalapotopotoga Eleni faʻalauaʻitele. Ona o le aganuʻu tulaga ese faʻalelotu a le Baylor, o le felafolafoaʻi i le va o ana aʻoaʻoga faʻaalia, ana faiga faʻavae moni, ma amioga a ana faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga o le a matua suʻesuʻeina i soʻo se faʻamasinoga faaletulafono. O le Baylor PD ma le Waco Police Department o le a aafia mo suʻesuʻega solitulafono.

O Mea e Tatau Ona Fai e Tamaiti Aʻoga ma Matua Baylor University i Amerika Samoa

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa e fesoʻotaʻi ma le Baylor University:

• Faʻasaga Faʻatasi ma Faiga Faʻavae: Ia malamalama i faiga faʻavae faapitoa a le Baylor e uiga i le hazing ma le amio a le tamaitiiti aoga, aemaise lava pe faʻafefea ona fetaui ma aoga faʻavae Kerisiano a le iunivesite.
• Lipoti Faʻafitauli Vave: Faʻaaoga le Ofisa o Amioga a Tamaiti Aʻoga poʻo le Ofisa o le Title IX e lipoti soʻo se hazing masalomia. O nei ofisa ua faʻatonuina e suʻesuʻe.
• Faʻatalanoaga Faaletulafono Faʻatatau: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911. O le poto masani o la matou ofisa i iunivesite tumaoti ma a latou tulaga faaletulafono ma aganuʻu faapitoa e taua tele mo aiga o loʻo sailia le faʻamasinoga mai faʻalapotopotoga e pei o le Baylor, aemaise lava ona o fesili muamua e uiga i a latou vaʻaiga faʻalapotopotoga.

Fraternities & Sororities: Iunivesite-Faʻapitoa + Talaʻaga A le Atunuʻu

O le lalaga o le olaga kolisi i Texas, e aofia ai i iunivesite e pei o UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, ma Baylor, e matua lalagaina lava ma le i ai o faʻalapotopotoga ma sororities. Mo aiga Amerika Samoa, o le malamalama i nei faʻalapotopotoga e taua tele. O nei vaega, pe o ni vaega o le Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), poʻo komiti Eleni faʻale-aganuʻu, e sili atu nai lo na o kalapu faʻaagafesootai. Ua latou avea ma vaega o fesoʻotaʻiga faʻalauaʻitele lapopoʻa, ma o latou talaʻaga, aemaise lava e uiga i le hazing, e taua tele i le malamalama i lamatiaga i aso nei ma nofovaevaeina faaletulafono.

Aisea e Taua ai Talaʻaga Faʻalauaʻitele

A tupu se hazing i se laulau i Texas, e seasea o se mea na tupu tuʻu. E tele faʻalapotopotoga ma sororities i kolisi o Texas o ni laulau o faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele. O nei ofisa autu faʻalauaʻitele e masani ona iai ni faiga faʻavae auiliili e tetee atu ai i le hazing, tusi lesona mo le faʻatautaia o lamatiaga, ma matagaluega faaletulafono. O le mafuaʻaga mo ia faiga faʻavae auiliili e faigofie: o nei faʻalapotopotoga e iai se talaʻaga umi o tagata ua afaina, ma i le tele o mataupu, ua maliliu, ona o le hazing. Ua latou molimauina faʻataʻitaʻiga o loʻo faʻaauau pea—po inu faʻamalosi, suʻega o le tumau faaletino, sauniga faʻatauvaʻa, ma taunuuga leaga o nei “tu ma aganuʻu.”

O lenei talaʻaga faʻalauaʻitele tele e faʻavaeina ai se manatu faaletulafono e taʻua o le foreseeability (mafai ona vaʻaia). Afai ua oʻo i se faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele le tele o maliu poʻo manuʻa tuga o le hazing i ona laulau i le atunuʻu atoa e aofia ai amioga tutusa, e faigata ona latou fai mai latou “leʻi iloa” poʻo “le mafai ona vaʻaia” e mafai e ia gaioiga ona afaina ai i se laulau i Texas. Pe a toe faia e se laulau faʻalotoifale i Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, poʻo Waco le tusitusiga matautia lava lea e tasi na iʻu ai i se tagi poʻo se faʻasainaga a le iunivesite i se isi setete, e mafai ona avea lena faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻamaumauga ma se faʻavae mamana mo se talatala manaia e uiga i le faʻatamala poʻo le lagolagoina o tagi mo faʻaleagaina faʻasalaga faasaga i le laulau faʻalotoifale ma lona faʻalapotopotoga matua faʻalauaʻitele. E faʻaalia ai se le manuia i le puipuia lelei, vaʻaia, ma le faʻamalosia o faiga faʻavae latou te iloa (pe tatau ona iloa) e talafeagai.

Faʻataʻitaʻiga Faʻalapotopotoga: Fesoʻotaʻiga o Vaega Faʻalotoifale i Faʻataʻitaʻiga Faʻalauaʻitele

E ui e le mafai ona matou lisiina laulau uma i iunivesite uma o Texas, ae e taua tele le iloa o le tele o faʻalapotopotoga ma sororities taʻutaʻua o loʻo i ai i UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, ma Baylor o ni vaega o faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele ma faʻafitauli o le hazing faʻamaumau lelei. O le faʻaalia lea o nisi o nei faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻalauaʻitele e aʻafia ai aiga o Texas:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• Faʻamatalaga: Pi Kappa Alpha, e masani ona taʻua o le “Pike,” o se faʻalapotopotoga faʻaagafesootai taʻutaʻua ma se tagata taua i le tele o iunivesite tetele, e aofia ai i Texas.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: Ua i ai i le Pike se talaʻaga faʻalauaʻitele e matua faʻalavelave ai e uiga i le hazing e fesoʻotaʻi ma le ava malosi. O le faʻataʻitaʻiga sili ona faanoanoa o le maliu lea o Stone Foltz i le 2021 i le Bowling Green State University, lea na maliu ai o ia ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi i le taimi o se po “Big/Little” ina ua faʻamalosi e inu se fagu ava malosi atoa. Na mulimuli mai faʻasalaga solitulafono, ma na iʻu ai le tagi faʻalotoifale i se faʻaopoopoga tupe e $10 miliona, ma le Pike national na fesoasoani tele. O le isi mataupu taua na aofia ai David Bogenberger i le Northern Illinois University i le 2012, o le na maliu foʻi ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi i se mea na tupu i se faʻalapotopotoga, ma iʻu ai i se faʻaopoopoga tupe e $14 miliona. O nei faʻalavelave faʻaauau, e aofia ai le faʻamalosi e inu i le taimi o amataga, o loʻo faʻaalia ai se faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻalauaʻitele i totonu o le Pi Kappa Alpha e matua mafai ai ona tupu faʻalavelave faapena i laulau i Texas.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• Faʻamatalaga: O le Sigma Alpha Epsilon o se tasi lea o faʻalapotopotoga tele i le atunuʻu i le Iunaite Setete, ma ona aʻa loloto ma le tele o laulau i kolisi o Texas.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: Ua taʻua le SAE o le “faʻalapotopotoga sili ona oti a Amerika” e le Bloomberg News ona o le tele o maliu e fesoʻotaʻi ma le hazing, e masani lava ona mafua mai i le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi, i le tele o tausaga. I le 2014, ona o lenei tulaga faʻalavelave, na faia ai e le SAE le laʻasaga e leʻi tupu muamua o le faʻaumatiaina o lana faiga tautoga i le atunuʻu atoa, ma suia ai i se faʻataʻitaʻiga “auaunaga atoa i le amataga”, e ui lava o faʻalavelave o le hazing na faʻaauau pea i nisi laulau.
  • O se tagi lata mai (faila 2023) faasaga i le SAE i le University of Alabama na tuuaia ai se tamaitiiti fou na mafatia i se manuʻa tuga o le faiʻai i le taimi o se sauniga hazing.
  • I le Texas A&M University i le 2021, na tuuaia ai e ni tamaiti fou se lua na mafatia i mu matautia o le kemikolo na manaʻomia ai le faʻapipiʻiina o le paʻu ina ua sasaa e tagata le vailaʻau faamama fale gaosi oloa, fuamoa, ma le feanu ia i latou i le taimi o le hazing. Na tagi le au tamaiti fou mo le $1 miliona.
  • Ia Ianuari 2024, i le University of Texas i Arlington, na molia ai e se tamaitiiti aʻoga fesuiaʻi Ausetalia le laulau SAE mo le sili atu i le $1 miliona ina ua tuuaia na osofaʻia e tagata o le faʻalapotopotoga, ma faʻateleina ai manuʻa i lona vae ma ona foliga. Ua faʻamaloloina le laulau mo soliga muamua.
    O nei mataupu, e aofia ai iunivesite eseese ma ituaiga hazing, o loʻo faʻaalia manino ai se faiga faʻalauaʻitele o le hazing sauā ma matautia i totonu o le SAE e fesoasoani i le foreseeability i soʻo se faʻalavelave i Texas.

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• Faʻamatalaga: O le Phi Delta Theta o se faʻalapotopotoga faʻaagafesootai faʻalauaʻitele o loʻo iai i iunivesite eseese o Texas.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: O le Phi Delta Theta e taʻutaʻua ona o le maliu lea o Maxwell “Max” Gruver i le 2017 i le Louisiana State University. Na maliu Gruver ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi ina ua auai i se taʻaloga inu “suʻesuʻega Tusi Paʻia” lea na faʻamalosi ai o ia e inu le tele o le ava malosi. O lenei mea na iʻu ai i faʻasalaga solitulafono, e aofia ai le fasioti tagata faatamala, ma le pasia o le Max Gruver Act (o se tulafono faʻaleaʻoaʻoga solitulafono i Louisiana). O lenei mataupu o loʻo faʻaalia ai se faiga faʻalauaʻitele manino e uiga i le hazing matautia e fesoʻotaʻi ma le ava malosi.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• Faʻamatalaga: O le Pi Kappa Phi o se faʻalapotopotoga faʻaagafesootai faʻalauaʻitele o loʻo iai ni laulau ola i Texas ma se talaʻaga faʻalauaʻitele faanoanoa o le hazing.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: Faʻatasi ai ma le faʻamasinoga faʻaauau a le matou fono i le Iunivesite o Houston, o le Pi Kappa Phi e taʻutaʻua foi mo le maliu lea o Andrew Coffey i le 2017 i le Florida State University. Na maliu Coffey ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi i le taimi o se mea na tupu “Big Brother Night” lea na tuʻuina atu ai fagu ava malosi i tautoga. E toʻatele sui na feagai ma le moliaga solitulafono mo le hazing. O le faʻaauauina o le faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele i faʻalavelave tuga o le hazing e fesoʻotaʻi ma le ava malosi e pei o le mataupu a Coffey ma le mataupu a Bermudez ua faʻaalia ai se faiga e le mafai ona le amanaiaina.

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• Faʻamatalaga: O le Kappa Alpha Order, faʻatasi ai ma lona talatuu i Saute, o loʻo faʻatumauina ni laulau i le tele o iunivesite o Texas, e aofia ai SMU ma Texas A&M.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: Ua feagai le Kappa Alpha Order ma le tele o tuuaʻiga ma faʻamalolo i le atunuʻu atoa. I le SMU i le 2017, na tupu ai se faʻalavelave tele lea na lipotia mai ai na sasaina tagata fou, faʻamalosia e inu ava malosi, ma le lava o le moe, ma iʻu ai i le faʻamaloloina umi o le laulau. I le 1987, i le University of Mississippi, na maliu ai Harry “Skip” Cline Jr., 18, ina ua maeʻa se pati “Big Brother-Little Brother” lea na aofia ai le ava malosi, e ui na faʻamaonia e le iunivesite o se faʻalavelave. O le faʻaauauina leaga o le faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele ma laulau o loʻo solia faiga faʻavae e tetee atu ai i le hazing e fesoasoani i se faiga o lamatiaga ua iloa.

Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)

• Faʻamatalaga: O le Sigma Chi o se faʻalapotopotoga tele ma aloaʻia i kolisi o le Iunaite Setete, o loʻo i ai i le tele o iunivesite o Texas.
• Faʻataʻitaʻiga o le Hazing a le Atunuʻu: Ua feagai le Sigma Chi ma le tele o faiga faʻamasinoga o le hazing. Talu ai nei, i le 2024, na maua ai e se tautoga i le College of Charleston sili atu i le $10 miliona i le faʻaleaga ina ua tuʻuaʻia faʻalavelave faaletino, faʻamalosi e inu vailaʻau/ava malosi, ma sauaina faalemafaufau. E le gata i lea, o se tautoga i le 2020 i le University of Texas i Arlington na falemaʻi ona o le ‘onā tele o le ava malosi, ma iʻu ai i se tagi o loʻo fai mai o le vaʻaia faʻatamala ma le le faʻatinoina o le faʻatautaia o lamatiaga. O nei mataupu o loʻo faʻaalia ai se faiga o le hazing faaletino ma faasaga i le ava malosi e iʻu ai i taunuuga tau tupe tetele.

Fesoʻotaʻiga i le Fuafuaga Faaletulafono

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa o loʻo tuliloaina faiga faaletulafono mo le hazing i Texas, o le malamalama i nei talaʻaga faʻalauaʻitele e avea ma maatulima o se fuafuaga faaletulafono lelei.

• Faʻamaonia le Mafai Ona Vaʻaia: Pe a faia e se laulau mai le UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, poʻo Baylor ni faiga hazing na afaina ai pe fasiotia ai tagata fou i isi laulau i le atunuʻu atoa, o se faʻamaoniga mamana e faapea o le faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele “na iloa pe tatau ona iloa” lamatiaga. O lenei mea e matua le mafai ai ona faʻatumauina finauga e faapea e leʻi mafai ona vaʻaia sea afaina.
• Faʻavaeina le Faʻatamala: O se talaʻaga o le hazing i totonu o se faʻalapotopotoga e lagolago saʻo ai tagi e faapea o le faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele na faʻatamala i le vaʻaia, aʻoaʻoga, poʻo le faʻasalaina o ana laulau. Afai o faiga faʻavae e tetee atu ai i le hazing o ni “faiga faʻavae pepa” ae leʻi matua faʻamalosia, e faʻamalosia ai le mataupu a se tagi.
• Aʻafiaga i Fefaʻatauaʻiga ma Inisiua: O nei faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻalauaʻitele e mafai ona matua aʻafia ai feutagaʻiga faʻaopoopoga ma faʻafitauli o inisiua. E masani ona sili atu le faigata o le au inisiua e teʻena le puipuiga mo faʻalavelave hazing, ma finau o “gaioiga faʻamoemoe” poʻo le “amioga solitulafono” e paʻu i lalo o tuusaunoaga faʻavae.
• Faʻaleaga Faʻasalaga: I mataupu tuga, o le faʻaalia o se faʻataʻitaʻiga faʻalauaʻitele o le le amanaiaina o le hazing e mafai ona fesoasoani i finauga mo faʻaleaga faʻasalaga, lea ua fuafuaina e faʻasalaina amioga faʻatamala ma puipuia amioga tutusa i le lumanaʻi.

E ala i le suʻesuʻeina ma le faʻaalia lelei o le talaʻaga faʻalauaʻitele o le hazing, e fausia ai e le Attorney911 se mataupu manaia e faʻamaonia ai e le gata o tagata solitulafono ae faʻapele foʻi ma faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele mamana e nofovaevaeina mo le saogalemu o tamaiti aʻoga i Texas.

Fausiaina o se Mataupu: Faʻamaoniga, Faʻaleaga, Fuafuaga

O le fausiaina o se mataupu hazing manuia o se taumafaiga tele e faʻalagolago i le aoina ma le faʻaeteete o faʻamaoniga, o se malamalama loloto i faʻaleaga faaletulafono, ma se fuafuaga faʻataʻatia e faʻaleleia e le poto masani. Mo aiga Amerika Samoa i Texas, o le malamalama i lenei faʻagasologa e tuʻuina atu ai le manino ma le faʻamalosia i se taimi faigata.

Faʻamaoniga: O le Faʻavae o se Mataupu Hazing

O suʻesuʻega faʻaonaponei o le hazing e masani ona manumalo pe leiloa e faʻavae i luga o le tulaga lelei ma le lautele o faʻamaoniga faʻasaoina. E tele faʻalavelave hazing e tupu i le faalilolilo, ae o faʻamaumauga faʻatekonolosi ma faʻamaumauga faʻalapotopotoga e mafai ona faʻaalia le upu moni.

• Fesoʻotaʻiga Numera: O nei mea e masani ona avea ma faʻamaoniga sili ona taua i aso nei.

  • Polokalame Feau Vaaia: O faʻasalalauga e pei o GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS group texts, Discord, ma Slack e masani ona faʻaaogaina e fuafua ai, faʻatonu ai, ma faʻamaopoopoina ai gaioiga hazing. E mafai ona faʻaalia e feau ni faʻatonuga manino, faʻamataʻu, gagana faʻaleaga, manaʻoga faalilolilo, ma e oʻo lava i le fuafuaina o gaioiga faasolitulafono.
  • Fesoʻotaʻiga Lautele: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, ma Facebook posts e mafai ona iai ni ata, vitio, poʻo talanoaga e fesoʻotaʻi ma hazing. E mafai ona faʻaaogaina nei faʻasalalauga mo le faʻalumaina faʻalauaʻitele, luʻitau numera, poʻo le suʻeina o tautoga.
  • E faʻafefea ona Faʻasaoina: E fautuaina e le loia le vave ma le auiliili o le screenshots o talatalanoaga talafeagai uma, ma faʻamautinoa o loʻo vaʻaia le taimi, igoa o le au auina atu, ma le tele o faʻamatalaga. Afai o loʻo faʻaaogaina foliga e auto-delete, e manaʻomia le faʻamaumauina o le lau. E masani ona mafai e suʻesuʻega numera ona faʻaola feau ua tapeina, ae o ata muamua e matua taua tele.

• Ata & Vitio:

  • Mea Faʻatupu: E tele tagata faʻatupu e puʻeina ata faʻamalosiga e faʻamaumau ai le usitaʻi poʻo mo a latou lava faʻafiafiaga. O le toe mauaina o nei ata ma vitio, mai telefoni, ao teuina, poʻo agafesootai, e tuʻuina atu ai faʻamaoniga lē mafesiligia o gaioiga.
  • Faʻamaumauga a le Tagata Afaina: Ata ma vitio o manuʻa (manuʻa, mu, fula) na puʻeina vave pe a maeʻa le faʻalavelave ma mo ni nai aso e faʻaalia ai le alualu i luma e taua tele. O nei mea e tatau ona aofia ai mea faʻapitoa mo le fua, e pei o le pule poʻo le tupe siliva.
  • Faʻamaumauga o le Nofoaga/Mea: Ata o le mea na tupu ai le hazing (fale, potu faapitoa, nofoaga i fafo atu o le lotoa) ma mea faʻaaoga (paga, fagu ava malosi, pupuni, mea faʻatauvaʻa) e tuʻuina atu ai fesoʻotaʻiga sima i le amioga ua tuʻuaʻia.

• Faʻamatalaga Faʻalapotopotoga i Totonu: O nei mea e mafai ona faʻaalia ai gaioiga i totonu o se laulau ma faʻataʻitaʻiga talaʻaga.

  • Tusi lesona mo le tautoga, tusitusiga o le amataga, lisi o “tu ma aganuu” poʻo “manaoga” mo tagata fou.
  • Imeli poʻo feau tusitusia mai ofisa o le laulau o loʻo faʻamatalaina manaoga poʻo “mea na tutupu.”
  • Faiga faʻavae a faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele ma mea aʻoaʻoga, pe a le amanaiaina e le laulau faʻalotoifale, e faʻaalia ai se le manuia i le vaʻaia lelei.

• Faʻamaumauga a le Iunivesite: O nei mea e faʻaalia ai le malamalama o le faʻalapotopotoga ma galuega muamua.

  • Faʻasalaga Muamua: Faʻamaumauga o soliga hazing na tupu i le taimi ua tuanaʻi, faʻamalolo, poʻo le faʻamaloloina e aofia ai le laulau lava lea poʻo tagata taʻitoʻatasi.
  • Lipoti Faʻalavelave: Lipoti na faila i le ofisa o leoleo i kolisi poʻo ofisa o amioga a tamaiti aʻoga e fesoʻotaʻi ma amioga tutusa.
  • Talosaga mo Faʻamaumauga Lautele: Mo iunivesite a le malo (e pei o UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin), e mafai e talosaga i lalo o tulafono faʻamaumauga matala ona faʻamalosia le faʻaalia o faʻamatalaga talafeagai, tusa lava pe leʻo faʻailoa vave se tagi. O lenei mea e masani ona tuʻuina atu ai faʻamatalaga e uiga i tusi o loʻo teuina e leoleo i kolisi poʻo faʻafitauli e uiga i amioga muamua.
  • Lipoti a le Clery Act: E ui e leʻo faʻapitoa i taimi uma, e mafai e nei lipoti a le saogalemu i luga o le lotoa ona faʻaalia faʻataʻitaʻiga o le ava malosi poʻo soliga faʻasaua i luga o le lotoa, e ono aofia ai ma i latou e fesoʻotaʻi ma le olaga Eleni.

• Faʻamaumauga Faafomaʻi ma Faʻalemafaufau: O nei mea e faʻamaumauina ai le tele o le afaina.

  • Faʻamaumauga o le potu faʻafuaseʻi, falemaʻi, ma le taʻavale amipulane o loʻo auiliiliina ai manuʻa vave ma togafitiga.
  • Lipoti o suʻesuʻega o vailaʻau, maualuga o le toto ava malosi, ma faʻaiʻuga o suʻesuʻega (e.g., mo le rhabdomyolysis poʻo le faʻaleagaina o totoga).
  • Suʻesuʻega faalemafaufau ma tusi o togafitiga o loʻo faʻamaumauina ai le mafatia loloto faalelagona, PTSD, atuatuvalega, popole, poʻo le mafaufau e pule i le ola e fesoʻotaʻi saʻo ma le hazing.

• Molimau: O tala a tagata na iai pe na iloa e uiga i le hazing e taua tele.

  • Tamaiti tautoga, tagata o loʻo iai nei poʻo tagata muamua, tagata nonofo faʻatasi, faiaʻoga, RAs, poʻo tagata o loʻo i ai i le itu e mafai ona tuʻuina atu tala muamua.
  • Tagata tomai faapitoa (e.g., tagata suʻesuʻe hazing, tagata faigaluega faafomaʻi, tagata tomai faapitoa i suʻesuʻega numera) e mafai ona tuʻuina atu faʻamatalaga ma faʻamatalaga.

Faʻaleaga: Taui mo le Tau o le Hazing

I Texas, o tagi manuia o le hazing e mafai ona iʻu ai i taui tau tupe tetele, e vaeluaina i faʻaleaga tau tamaoaiga, e le o ni tau tamaoaiga, ma faʻaleaga faʻasalaga.

• Faʻaleaga Tau Tamaʻoaiga: O tupe leiloa ia e mafai ona fuaina.

  • Pili Faafomaʻi & Togafitiga i le Lumanaʻi: E aofia ai le tupe mo togafitiga faʻafuaseʻi na tuanaʻi, faigaluega i falemaʻi, tipitipi, toe faʻaleleia (faʻaletino, galuega, tautala), vailaʻau, ma fuafuaga mo togafitiga mo manuʻa tuga (e pei o manuʻa tuga o le faiʻai poʻo le faʻaleagaina o totoga).
  • Tupe Leiloa & Aʻafiaga i Aʻoaʻoga: Taui mo tupe leiloa ona o manuʻa, pili o le aʻoga mo semesa ua misia, tupe fesoasoani aʻoga ua leiloa, ma le ono faʻaititia o le gafatia e maua ai tupe i le lumanaʻi pe afai e mafua ai e manuʻa faʻalavelave tumau poʻo faʻalavelave i galuega.

• Faʻaleaga e Le O-Tamaoaiga: O nei mea e taui atu ai mo le leiloa e le mafai ona fuaina, e le o ni faʻatupeina.

  • Tiga Faaletino & Mafatia: Taui mo le tiga na onosaia mai manuʻa ma so o se le toʻa faifai pea.
  • Mafatia Faʻalelagona & Afaina Faʻalemafaufau: O loʻo faʻatalanoaina le tiga tele faʻalelagona, faʻalumaina, popole, PTSD, atuatuvalega, ma le leai o se faʻamaoni na mafua mai i le hazing.
  • Leai o le Fiafia i le Olaga: Taui mo le le mafai ona auai i gaioiga taua, tuʻueseeseina faʻaagafesootai, ma le faʻaititia atoa o le poto masani i le kolisi.

• Faʻaleaga o le Maliu Sese (Wrongful Death Damages): I mataupu o maliu ona o le hazing, e mafai e aiga o totoe (matua, fanau, ma toʻalua i Texas) ona Saili:

  • Tau o falelauasiga ma tanuga.
  • Leiloa o le lagolago tau tupe e tatau ona tuʻuina atu e le ua maliu.
  • Leiloa o le mafutaga, alofa, ma le soʻotaga.
  • Le Faanoanoa ma le tigāina o le aiga.

• Faʻaleaga Faʻasalaga: O nei mea e tuʻuina atu e le mo le taui o le tagata afaina ae mo le faʻasalaina o amioga matua le talafeagai ma le puipuia o amioga tutusa i le lumanaʻi. E masani ona sailia pe a faʻaalia e tagata ua molia le faʻatamala tele, leaga, poʻo le le amanaiaina leaga i lamatiaga ua iloa.

Matafaioi a Tagata Sese Eseese ma Inisiua Puipuiga

O faʻamasinoga o le hazing e faigata ona e masani ona aofia ai le tele o tagata ua molia, taʻitasi ma a latou lava fuafuaga faaletulafono ma inisiua. O le inisiua puipuiga o se vaega taua, ona e masani ona faʻamatalaina le gafatia e faʻatupe ai faʻataga tetele poʻo faʻasalaga.

• Tele Tagata Molia: E ese mai i tamaiti aʻoga taʻitoʻatasi, vaega faʻalotoifale, ma faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele, o iunivesite (aemaise lava iunivesite tumaoti e pei o SMU ma Baylor) ma tagata e ona meatotino e mafai ona auai o ni tagata molia. O le nofovaevaeina o vaega taʻitasi e masani ona faʻalagolago i la latou tiute o le tausiga, le iloa o lamatiaga, ma gaioiga na faia (pe le faia) e puipuia ai le afaina.
• Luʻitau Inisiua: O faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele, vaega faʻalotoifale, ma iunivesite e masani ona iai inisiua nofovaevaeina. Ae peitaʻi, e masani ona taumafai le au inisiua e teʻena le puipuiga mo faʻalavelave hazing, ma finau o “gaioiga faʻamoemoe” poʻo le “amisaga solitulafono” e paʻu i lalo o tuusaunoaga faʻavae.
• Le Lelei o le Attorney911: O le mea lea e taua tele ai le poto masani tulaga ese a le Attorney911, o loʻo faʻaaoga le poto masani o Lupe Peña o se loia muamua e puipuia inisiua. E malamalama o ia i le “faiga a le itu tetee”—pe faʻafefea ona faʻamatalaina Tulafono faʻavae e le au inisiua, atiaʻe puipuiga mo le puipuiga, ma faʻataʻatia fuafuaga o le faʻaopoopoga. O lona malamalama faʻalotoifale o lona uiga matou te iloa a latou taʻaloga ona sa matou faʻatautaia muamua, ma tuʻuina atu ai i matou tagata faʻatau se faʻamanuiaga taua. E ala i le taulaʻi atu i le vaʻaiga faʻatamala poʻo le le faʻamalosia o faiga faʻavae (nai lo na o gaioiga faʻamoemoe), e masani ona mafai e loia poto masani i le hazing ona faʻamalosia le au inisiua e tuʻuina atu puipuiga mo mataupu sili ona faigata.

Fuafuaga: O Se Auala Atoatoa

E faʻaaogaina e le Attorney911 se fuafuaga atoatoa e faʻamuamua le soifua manuia o le tagata o tausia ma sailia le nofovaevaeina maualuga. E aofia ai:

• Suʻesuʻega Auiliili: Faʻaaogaina o suʻesuʻega faʻatekonolosi, talosaga faʻamaumauga faʻamalosi mo faʻamaumauga i totonu, ma molimau a tagata tomai faapitoa e maua ai mea moni uma.
• Faʻasaga Malosi: Tuʻu atu i faʻalapotopotoga mamana ma a latou ‘au faaletulafono, ma faʻamautinoa le faʻalogoina o leo o matou tagata faʻatau.
• Gafatia Faʻalua Ala: Malamalama i le felafolafoaʻi i le va o moliaga solitulafono (ma o latou aʻafiaga e ono tupu ai i le nofovaevaeina faʻalotoifale) ma faʻamasinoga faʻalotoifale, ma faʻatagaina ai se auala faaletulafono atoa.
• Taulaʻi i le Puipuiga: E le gata i le taui tau tupe, ae faʻapele foʻi le lagolagoina o suiga o faiga faʻavae ma toe fuataʻiga faʻalapotopotoga e puipuia ai faʻalavelave hazing i le lumanaʻi.

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa, o le fausiaina o se mataupu hazing lelei e manaʻomia ai e le gata o le malamalama faaletulafono, ae faʻapele foʻi ma se malamalama loloto i le lalolagi faigata o faʻalapotopotoga a tamaiti aʻoga i iunivesite ma faiga e faʻaaoga e faʻalapotopotoga e puipuia ai i latou lava.

Taiala aoga & Fesili Faaumiumi

A tupu se hazing, e masani ona lagona e aiga Amerika Samoa i Texas le teʻi, le mautonu, ma le lofituina. O le iloaina o mea e tatau ona fai, o fesili e tatau ona fesili, ma mea e tatau ona aloese mai ai e mafai ona faia ai se eseesega taua. O lenei vaega e tuʻuina atu ai se taiala vave, e mafai ona faʻatinoina mo matua ma tamaiti aʻoga.

Mo Matua i Amerika Samoa

O le matafaioi a oe e masani ona sili ona taua i le iloa ma le tali atu i le hazing. Ia gauai atu i suiga faalilolilo i amioga a lau tama ma ia sauni e fai se gaoioiga.

• Faʻailoga Lapataiga o Hazing: Ia mataala i le sili atu nai lo manuʻa vaʻaia. Suʻe mo:

  • Suiga faaletino le faʻamatalaina: Manuʻa, tipi, vaivai, suiga tetele o le mamafa, poʻo le faalilolilo e uiga i manuʻa.
  • Suiga faʻafuaseʻi i amioga: Faʻatupulaia le faalilolilo, tuʻueseeseina mai uo poʻo aiga, popole faʻafuaseʻi, atuatuvalega, le fiafia, poʻo telefoni soo i itula eseese e manaʻomia ai se tali vave.
  • Faʻaitiitia le aʻoga: Se paʻu faʻafuaseʻi o togi, le auai i vasega, poʻo le le lava o le moe faifai pea e aʻafia ai aʻoga.
  • Faigata tau tupe: Talosaga tupe le faʻamatalaina, tupe faʻaalu maualuga faʻafuaseʻi, poʻo pili tetele o le credit card e aunoa ma se faʻamoemoe manino.
  • Suiga faʻatekonolosi: Le soona siaki telefoni, tape feau, poʻo faʻailoga o le faʻalumaina faʻatekonolosi i agafesootai.

• E Faʻafefea ona Talanoa ma Lau Tama: Faʻaali atu le alofa, ae le o le faʻamasino. Amata i fesili faʻaopoopo e pei o, “E faʻafefea moni lava mea ma lau vaega?” poʻo “E iai se mea e te le toʻa ai i le taimi nei?” Faʻamamafa o lo latou saogalemu ma le soifua manuia o lau faʻamuamua sili lea, ae le o lo latou avea ma tagata o soʻo se faʻalapotopotoga. Faʻamautinoa i latou o le ae lagolagoina i latou, tusa lava pe o lona uiga o le tuʻua o le vaega poʻo le feagai ma talatalanoaga faigata.

• Afai Ua Afaina Lau Tama: Muamua ma le vave o le tausiga faafomaʻi. Aua le tolopo. Faʻamaumau mea uma latou te taʻu atu ia te oe, puʻeina ni ata manino o soʻo se manuʻa, ma faʻasaoina soʻo se fesoʻotaʻiga faʻatekonolosi talafeagai. E taua tele le faʻamaumauga vave aʻo leʻi mou atu faʻamaoniga.

• Fefaʻatauaʻiga ma le Iunivesite: O fesoʻotaʻiga uma ma pulega a le iunivesite e tatau ona faʻamauina ma le faʻaeteete. Fesili i ni fesili faʻapitoa e uiga i faʻalavelave na tupu muamua e aafia ai le faʻalapotopotoga lava e tasi ma mea na faia e le aʻoga. Aua le tuʻuina atu ia i latou e faʻaitiitia ou popolega.

• O Afea e Talanoa ai ma se Loia: Afai e maua e lau tama ni manuʻa tuga faaletino poʻo le mafaufau, poʻo pe afai e te lagona o le iunivesite poʻo le faʻalapotopotoga o loʻo faʻaitiitia pe natia le mea na tupu, o le taimi lea e faʻatalanoa ai se loia. E mafai e se loia ona fesoasoani ia te oe e malamalama i au aia tatau ma filifiliga.

Mo Tamaiti Aʻoga / Pledges i Texas mai Amerika Samoa

O lou saogalemu ma lou soifua manuia e sili ona taua. E ia te oe aia tatau, ma e te le tuʻu toʻatasi.

• O Se Hazing poʻo se Tu ma Aganuʻu Liʻo? Afai e te lagona le le saogalemu, faʻaʻi, faʻamalosia, poʻo le faʻamalosi e inu soʻo se mea, poʻo le onosai i le tiga, o se hazing. Afai e faalilolilo le gaioiga, natia mai ofisa o le iunivesite, poʻo le auai i le pepelo i matua, o se hazing. E le tatau ona aofia ai le sauaina o tu ma aganuʻu.
• Aisea e Le Oʻo Ai le “Maliega” i le Iʻuga o le Tala: O le mamafa e “fetaui ai,” o le fefe i le tuʻueseesega, ma le manaʻo malosi e auai o ni malosiaga mamana. Ua iloa e le tulafono e masani ona le o se maliega moni le “maliega” na maua i lalo o lea faʻamalosiga. Ua faʻamaonia e le tulafono a Texas e faapea o le maliega e le o se puipuiga mai le hazing.
• Tuʻua ma Lipoti saogalemu: E ia te oe le aia tatau faaletulafono e tuʻu ai soʻo se faʻalapotopotoga i soʻo se taimi, aemaise lava pe afai e te lagona le le saogalemu. Afai o e i se tulaga matautia vave, valaʻau le 911. Afai e te manaʻo e tuʻu, tuʻu se feau tusitusia manino poʻo se imeli i le taʻitaʻiga o le laulau o loʻo faʻailoa mai ai lou faʻamavaega. Aloese mai le “se faʻaiʻuga mulimuli” pe afai e te fefe i le mamafa poʻo le tauimasui. E mafai ona e lipoti faalilolilo pe faalilolilo e ala i ala o le lotoa (Dean of Students, Ofisa o le Title IX) poʻo telefoni faʻalauaʻitele e pei o le 1-888-NOT-HAZE. O tulafono o le lipoti faamaoni o lona uiga e te le masani ona maua i faʻafitauli mo le sailia o fesoasoani i se tulaga faʻafuaseʻi.
• Lipotia ma le Faʻaaloalo ma le Faʻamagalo: O tulafono a Texas ma le tele o faiga faʻavae a iunivesite e ofoina atu ni puipuiga mo tamaiti aʻoga o loʻo valaʻau mo se fesoasoani i se faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi, e tusa lava pe aofia ai le inu ava malosi i lalo o le tausaga poʻo le hazing. O lau faʻamuamua e tatau lava ona o le soifua maloloina ma le saogalemu o oe ma isi.

Mo Tagata Muamua / Molimau

O lou vaʻaiga e mafai ona taua tele i le puipuia o faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi i le lumanaʻi.

• Afai ua e molimauina le hazing, pe e te auai i ai, ae ua i ai nei ni ou salamō, o lau molimau ma faamaoniga e mafai ona faia ai se eseesega tele. E ui ina iai ni ou atugaluga faaletulafono, o lau tala faamaoni e mafai ona fesoasoani i tagata afaina e maua le faamasinoga ma ia faʻaalia ai amioga matautia. E mafai e se loia ona fautuaina oe i au aia tatau ma tiute, ma fesoasoani ia te oe e faʻatautaia lou matafaioi o se molimau pe e te feagai ma nofovaevaeina patino.

Sese Tuga e Mafai Ona Faʻaleagaina Lau Mataupu

E taua le iloa o mea e le tatau ona fai e pei lava o le iloa o mea e tatau ona fai. Aloese mai nei sese masani pe afai e te masalomia le hazing:

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Faʻatagaina lau tama e tape feʻau poʻo le “faʻamamaina” o faʻamaoniga

   • Aisea e sese ai: E pei o se natia; e mafai ona avea ma faʻalavelave i le faʻamasinoga; e ono faigata ai se mataupu.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: Faasaoina mea uma lava, e tusa lava ma mea faamanuʻa. Faʻaaoga lau telefoni feaveaʻi e faʻamaumau ai se mataupu faaletulafono: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. Faaopopoina le faʻalapotopotoga / sorority saʻo

   • Aisea e sese ai: Latou te vave maua se loia, faʻaumatiaina faʻamaoniga, aʻoaʻoina molimau, ma sauniuni puipuiga.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: Faamaumau mea uma, ona valaau lea i se loia aʻo leʻi faia se faʻaopoopoga.

3. Saini i fomu “faʻatagaina” poʻo “faʻaiʻuga” a le iunivesite

   • Aisea e sese ai: E mafai ona e lafoaia lou aia tatau e tagofia ai; e masani ona laʻititi ifo tupe maua nai lo le tau moni o le mataupu.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: AUA LE saini se mea e aunoa ma le toe iloiloina e se loia muamua.

4. Faʻasalalau auiliiliga i luga o agafesootai aʻo leʻi talanoa i se loia

   • Aisea e sese ai: E puʻeina ata pupuni mea uma e loia puipuiga; o le le mautonu e afaina ai le talitonuga; e mafai ona soloia le avanoa.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: Faʻamaumau faalilolilo; tuʻu lau loia e pulea feʻau lautele.

5. Faʻatagaina lau tama e toe foʻi i le “se fonotaga mulimuli”

   • Aisea e sese ai: E mafai ona latou faʻamalosia, faʻafefe, poʻo le maua ni faʻamatalaga e afaina ai le mataupu.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: O le taimi lava e te mafaufau ai i se faiga faaletulafono, o fesoʻotaʻiga uma e tatau ona ui atu i lau loia.

6. Faʻatali “e vaʻai pe faʻafefea ona faia e le iunivesite”

   • Aisea e sese ai: E mou atu faʻamaoniga, e faʻauʻu tagata molimau, e maeʻa le taimi, ma e pulea e le iunivesite le tala. E masani ona le fuafuaina faiga faʻavae a le iunivesite mo le faʻamaonia moni poʻo le taui.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: Faʻasaoina faʻamaoniga LENEI; faʻatalanoa se loia vave.

7. Talanoa i tagata e fetuʻunaʻi inisiua e aunoa ma se loia

   • Aisea e sese ai: E faʻaaogaina faʻamatalaga puʻeina e faasaga ia te oe; o maliega vave e masani ona laʻititi le ofo mai le kamupani inisiua e manaʻo e te taliaina vave.
   • Mea e fai nai lo lena: Teʻena ma le faʻaaloalo ma fai atu, “O le a faʻafesoʻotaʻi oe e laʻu loia.”
     Mo nisi faʻamatalaga, matamata i le vitio a le Attorney911 e uiga i sese o tagata faʻatau e mafai ona faʻaleagaina lau mataupu manuʻa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

FAQ Puʻupuʻu

• “E mafai ona ou molia se iunivesite mo le hazing i Texas?”
  Ioe, i lalo o nisi tulaga. O iunivesite a le malo (e pei o UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin) e iai ni puipuiga mai le puipuiga a le malo, ae iai tuusaunoaga mo le faʻatamala tele, soliga o le Title IX, ma pe a molia tagata faigaluega taʻitoʻatasi i o latou lava tulaga. O iunivesite tumaoti (e pei o SMU ma Baylor) e masani ona itiiti le puipuiga. E faʻalagolago mataupu uma i mea moni patino—faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i le 1-888-ATTY-911 mo se suʻesuʻega faʻapitoa o mataupu.

• “O se solitulafono tuga (felony) ea le hazing i Texas?”
  E mafai ona avea. O le tulafono a Texas e faavasegaina le hazing o se solitulafono laitiiti (Class B misdemeanor) i le tulaga masani, ae e mafai ona avea ma se solitulafono tuga i le falepuipui a le setete pe afai e faatupuina e le hazing ni manuʻa tuga po o le oti. E mafai foi ona molia tagata taʻitoʻatasi (e aofia ai ofisa) i solitulafono laiti mo le le lipotia o le hazing. Afai o popolega i solitulafono tuga, e mafai e loia solitulafono a le Attorney911 (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) ona fautuaina.

• “E mafai ea e laʻu tama ona faia se tagi pe afai ‘na malie’ i le amataga?”
  Ioe. Texas Education Code § 37.155 e faʻamalamalama manino ai o le maliega e le o se puipuiga mai le hazing. Ua iloa e faʻamasinoga o le “maliega” na maua i lalo o le mamafa a tupulaga, le le fetaui o le malosi, ma le fefe i le tuʻueseesega e le o se maliega moni e faʻamoemoeina.

• “E fia le umi e tatau ai ona tatou faila se tagi hazing?”
  E masani lava 2 tausaga mai le aso o le manuʻa poʻo le maliu i Texas. O le mea lea e taʻua o le tulafono o le taimi faʻatapulaʻa. Ae peitaʻi, o le “tulafono o le sailia” e mafai ona faʻalauteleina lenei mea pe afai e leʻi iloa vave le afaina poʻo lona mafuaʻaga. I mataupu lea na natia ai ma le loto i ai le hazing e ala i le natia poʻo le faʻaʻoga, atonu e faʻamalolo (tuʻu) le tulafono. E taua tele le taimi—e mou atu faʻamaoniga, e faʻauʻu molimau, ma e faʻaumatiaina faʻamaumauga a faʻalapotopotoga. Aua le tolopo. Valaʻau le 1-888-ATTY-911 vave. Aʻoaʻo atili e uiga i le tulafono o le taimi faʻatapulaʻa i la matou vitio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “Ae faʻafefea pe afai na tupu le hazing i fafo atu o le lotoa poʻo se fale tumaoti?”
  E le aveesea e le nofoaga le nofovaevaeina. E mafai lava ona molia iunivesite ma faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele e faʻavae i luga o le lagolago, pulea, iloa, ma le mafai ona vaʻaia, tusa lava pe na tupu se faʻalavelave i fafo atu o le lotoa. E tele mataupu tetele o le hazing ua iʻu ai i faʻaiʻuga e tele miliona tala mo faʻalavelave na tupu mamao mai le lotoa.

• “E faalilolilo ea lenei mea, pe o le a faasalalau le igoa o laʻu tama i tala fou?”
  E tele mataupu hazing e faia faalilolilo aʻo leʻi oʻo i le faʻamasinoga. E faʻamuamua lava e le matou ofisa ou aia tatau faalilolilo a le aiga aʻo sailia le nofovaevaeina. O le tele o faʻasalalauga lautele e masani ona mafai ona talanoaina o se vaega o le faʻaopoopoga.

E uiga i Le Ofisa Loia a Manginello + Valaau e Faia se Gaoioiga

Mo aiga Amerika Samoa o latou olaga ua feliuaʻi i lalo ona o se faʻalavelave faʻaʻoleʻole i se iunivesite Texas, e sili atu lau manaʻomia nai lo se loia manuʻa masani. E te manaʻomia ni loia tomai, poto masani o loʻo malamalama i le auala e tau ai faʻalapotopotoga mamana—ma le auala e manumalo ai. O le mea lena e tulaga ese ai Le Ofisa Loia a Manginello, o loʻo galue o le Attorney911.

Mai la matou ofisa i Houston, matou te tautuaina aiga i Texas atoa, e aofia ai Amerika Samoa ma nofoaga lata ane. Matou te malamalama o le hazing i iunivesite Texas e aʻafia ai aiga mamao ma lautele, ma matou te tuʻulimaʻo atu e tuʻuina atu se sui faaletulafono e le mafaatusalia. O lo matou poto masani e sili atu nai lo le faʻamasinoga; matou te suʻesuʻeina aganuʻu lavelave o faʻalapotopotoga, sororities, polokalame Corps, ma matagaluega taʻaloga e maua ai le upu moni.

O se tasi o avanoa sili ona taua a la matou ofisa o le poto masani a le inisiua na aumaia e Lupe Peña. I le avea ai o se loia puipuia inisiua muamua i se ofisa faʻalauaʻitele, e malamalama lelei Lupe i le auala e faʻatatauina ai (pe faʻatatauina le laʻititi) e kamupani inisiua o faʻalapotopotoga ma iunivesite tagi hazing. E iloa e ia a latou taʻiala mo le tuʻai, finauga mo le faʻaeseeseina o puipuiga, ma fuafuaga o le faʻaopoopoga. O lona malamalama o lona uiga matou te iloa a latou taʻaloga ona sa matou faʻatautaia muamua, ma tuʻuina atu ai i matou tagata faʻatau se avanoa taua. E mafai ona e aʻoaʻo atili e uiga i le talaʻaga o Lupe i le https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

O le matou paʻaga pule sili, Ralph Manginello, e iai lona poto masani tele i faiga faʻamasinoga lavelave faasaga i faʻalapotopotoga tetele. O Ralph o se vaega o le ‘au faaletulafono na aafia i le faʻamasinoga o le paʻu o le BP Texas City, o se tasi o nai ofisa loia o Texas na feagai ma sea tagata molia tele. O la matou faʻatagaina i le faʻamasinoga feterale (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) o loʻo faʻaalia atili ai lo matou gafatia e feagai ma tagata tetee mamana ma a latou ‘au puipuiga. Matou te le fefefe i faʻalapotopotoga faʻalauaʻitele, iunivesite e tele miliona tala, poʻo a latou loia. O la matou faʻamaumauga, e aofia ai faʻaiʻuga o maliu sese e tele miliona tala (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), o loʻo faʻaalia ai tatou te le fofoina taugofie; matou te fausia mataupu e faʻamalosia ai le nofovaevaeina moni. Saili atili e uiga i tusipasi a Ralph i le https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

E le gata i lea, o loʻo faʻamaualugaina e la matou ofisa le poto masani faʻalua i le hazing solitulafono ma le hazing faʻalotoifale. O le avea ma sui o Ralph i le Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) e faʻaauupegaina ai i matou i se malamalama atoatoa i le auala e felafolafoaʻi ai moliaga solitulafono (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) ma faʻamasinoga faʻalotoifale. O lona uiga e mafai ona matou tuʻuina atu fautuaga atoa, pe aofia lou mataupu i suʻesuʻega solitulafono, faʻamasinoga faʻalotoifale, pe o mea uma e lua.

Matou te sili i le aʻoga suʻesuʻe loloto, ma faʻaaogaina se fesoʻotaʻiga o tagata tomai faapitoa—faafomaʻi, faʻamatalaga faʻatekonolosi, tamaoaiga, ma tagata suʻesuʻe o le mafaufau—e fausia ai mataupu manaia. Matou te iloa le auala e maua ai faʻamaoniga natia, mai talatalanoaga faʻaosooso ma mea e faasalalauina i agafesootai i faʻamaumauga faʻalauaʻitele a le faʻalapotopotoga ma faila a le iunivesite. Matou te suʻesuʻeina e pei o le olaga o lau tama o loʻo faʻalagolago i ai—ona o loʻo iai. O la matou faʻamoemoe o le maua lea o le upu moni, ia taofia tagata e nafa ma le mafaufau, ma fesoasoani e puipuia ia faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi mai le tupu i se isi aiga.

Fai le Laʻasaga Muamua: Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le Attorney911 i Aso Nei

Afai na afaina oe poʻo lau tama i le hazing i soʻo se iunivesite i Texas, matou te fia faʻalogo mai ia te oe. E iai le aia tatau o aiga i Amerika Samoa ma le itulagi lata ane i tali, faʻamaoniga, ma le faʻamasinoga.

Faʻafesoʻotaʻi le The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 mo se faʻatalanoaga faalilolilo, leai se noataga. Matou te faʻalogo i mea na tupu e aunoa ma le faʻamasino, faʻamatalaina au filifiliga faaletulafono, ma fesoasoani ia te oe e filifili le auala sili e agai ai i luma. E leai se faʻamalosia e faʻafaigaluega matou i le taimi lava lena—matou te manaʻo e te lagona le faʻamalosia ma le malamalama. Matou te galue i se faʻavae taui, o lona uiga matou te le maua se totogi pe a tatou le manumalo i lau mataupu. Aʻoaʻo atili e uiga i le auala e galue ai taui i la matou vitio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

Mo se fesoasoani vave, faʻamolemole faʻaaoga faʻamatalaga faʻafesoʻotaʻi nei:

• Valaau le matou Numera Faʻafuaseʻi: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Laina Saʻo: (713) 528-9070
• Telefoni Feaveaʻi: (713) 443-4781
• Asiasi i le matou Upega Tafaʻilagi: https://attorney911.com
• Imeli saʻo ia Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: Servicios legales en español disponibles. Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Pe o e i Amerika Samoa poʻo se isi lava nofoaga i Texas, afai ua aʻafia lau aiga i le hazing, e te le tau fefefe toʻatasi. Valaau mai i le aso.

Faʻamatalaga Faaletulafono

O lenei tusitusiga ua tuʻuina atu mo faʻamatalaga ma aʻoaʻoga saʻo. E le o se fautuaga faaletulafono ma e le faia ai se fesoʻotaʻiga loia-tagata faʻatau i le va o oe ma Le Ofisa Loia a Manginello, PLLC.

O tulafono o le hazing, faiga faʻavae a iunivesite, ma faʻataʻitaʻiga faaletulafono e mafai ona suia. O faʻamatalaga i lenei taiala o loʻo iai i le faaiuga o le 2025 ae e ono le atagia mai ai atinaʻe aupito lata mai. O mataupu hazing taʻitasi e tulaga ese, ma o taunuuga e faʻalagolago i mea moni faʻapitoa, faʻamaoniga, tulafono faʻaaogaina, ma le tele o isi mea.

Afai ua afaina oe poʻo lau tama i le hazing, matou te matua fautuaina oe e faʻatalanoa se loia faʻapitoa i Texas e mafai ona iloilo lau tulaga faʻapitoa, faʻamatalaina au aia tatau faaletulafono, ma fautuaina oe i le auala sili mo lau aiga.

Le Ofisa Loia a Manginello, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Valaau: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Laina Saʻo: (713) 528-9070 | Telefoni Feaveaʻi: (713) 443-4781
Upega Tafaʻilagi: https://attorney911.com
Imeli: ralph@atty911.com

ENGLISH

In the tranquil heart of American Samoa, where the rhythm of island life often feels a world away from the bustling college campuses on the mainland, families nurture dreams of higher education for their children. Whether those dreams lead to the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, the pursuit of academic excellence can sometimes collide with a hidden danger: hazing.

Imagine a bright, hopeful student from Pago Pago, whose hard work and familial support have earned them a spot at a prestigious Texas university. They join a fraternity, a sorority, or perhaps an ROTC program, eager to connect with a new community and build lifelong friendships. But soon, the late-night calls start, the secretive demands, the forced consumption of alcohol until they black out, or the degrading acts that strip away dignity. They feel trapped, torn between a desperate desire to belong and a sickening sense of terror. They realize too late that the traditions they thought were harmless fun have become something far more insidious, something that threatens their physical safety and mental well-being.

This scenario isn’t just a hypothetical fear for American Samoan families. It’s a harsh reality that plays out on college campuses across Texas every year. When your child embarks on their college journey, whether in Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, or Waco, they step into a world where the allure of belonging can sometimes mask dangerous practices. This comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas is written for families in American Samoa and across the state who need to understand this hidden threat. We’ll explore what hazing looks like in 2025, the legal frameworks in Texas and federally, and how major national cases have shaped the landscape. We’ll also examine specific challenges at prominent Texas universities—UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor—providing insights crucial for American Samoan parents whose children might attend these institutions.

This article provides general information, not specific legal advice. However, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, can evaluate individual cases based on their specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including those in American Samoa.

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 American Samoan families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or the intricate social dynamics of large universities, hazing can be a nebulous concept. It’s often misunderstood as merely harmless pranks or outdated traditions. However, in 2025, hazing is a sophisticated, often brutal, and deeply ingrained form of abuse, evolving to evade detection and exploit power dynamics. It’s far more than just “boys will be boys”—it’s a spectrum of behaviors that can have devastating, lifelong consequences.

Hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, imposed on a student by others, for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. This act must endanger the mental or physical health or safety of the student, or cause humiliation and exploitation. The coercion doesn’t have to be explicit; it can be implied through peer pressure, the desire to belong, or the fear of exclusion and retaliation. Whether your child faces these pressures at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or elsewhere, the underlying dynamics of hazing remain consistent.

Main Categories of Hazing: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing today encompasses a wide range of activities, some overtly violent and others subtly insidious. Understanding these categories is crucial for parents and students in American Samoa to recognize the risks, even when they’re disguised as “bonding” or “tradition.”

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is the most common and often the most deadly form of hazing. It involves forced or coerced drinking of alcohol, often to dangerous levels, leading to alcohol poisoning. This can manifest as chugging challenges, “lineups” where new members must consume multiple drinks in quick succession, or games specifically designed for rapid intoxication. Pledges may be pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, or to partake in “bottle exchanges” where dangerous amounts of hard liquor are distributed. The tragic cases of Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha at Bowling Green State), Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi at FSU), and Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta at LSU) all underscore the lethal consequences of alcohol hazing.

• Physical Hazing: This category includes activities that inflict physical pain, exhaustion, or endanger physical well-being. This can range from traditional paddling and beatings to extreme calisthenics, forced “workouts” to the point of collapse, or prolonged sleep and food deprivation. Initiates might be exposed to extreme cold or heat, forced to stay awake for days, or deprived of nutritious food and water. These acts are often disguised as physical conditioning or “toughening up” experiences, but their true purpose is debasement and control.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These highly traumatic forms of hazing involve forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “elephant walk” or “roasted pig” positions), or being forced to wear degrading costumes. Hazing can also carry racial, sexist, or homophobic undertones, using slurs or forcing individuals to act out stereotypes. Such acts inflict deep emotional and psychological wounds, often leading to lasting trauma.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but equally damaging, psychological hazing involves sustained verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, and social isolation. Victims may be subjected to mind games, forced confessions, or public shaming, creating an environment of fear and anxiety. This type of hazing erodes self-esteem and creates a profound sense of helplessness.

• Digital/Online Hazing: In the age of constant connectivity, hazing has moved online. This can include digital taunts, demanding immediate responses in group chats at all hours, or creating humiliating “challenges” on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or Discord. New members may be forced to post embarrassing content, share compromising images or videos, or have their social media activity closely monitored and controlled by older members. This constant digital presence makes escape from hazing difficult, even in private spaces.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is limited to fraternities. However, American Samoan parents should be aware that hazing is a pervasive issue that can affect nearly any student organization.

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes traditional Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations, as well as National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (historically Black Greek organizations) and multicultural Greek organizations. Despite strict anti-hazing policies, clandestine activities persist.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: Organizations with a military ethos, like the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, often face allegations of hazing disguised as “tough training” or “building resilience.” These environments can be particularly susceptible to hierarchical abuse.
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs: Groups dedicated to school spirit or upholding long-standing traditions (like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin) can sometimes conflate initiation with hazing, subjecting new members to demeaning tasks or physical endurance tests.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheer, and even club sports, hazing can occur within athletic teams, often under the guise of team building or “earning your stripes.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups like marching bands or theater ensembles can fall prey to hazing, with rituals designed to bond members through shared, often humiliating, experiences.
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: While less common, hazing has been reported in these groups as well, driven by a desire to create exclusivity or prove commitment.

Hazing is maintained by a complex interplay of social status, tradition, and secrecy. Older members, having endured hazing themselves, often perpetuate the cycle, believing it’s a necessary rite of passage. The desire for belonging, especially for new students far from home like those from American Samoa, can make individuals vulnerable to coercion, leading them to tolerate abuse they would otherwise reject. The pervasive “code of silence” ensures that incidents remain hidden, allowing the cycle to continue even when hazing is officially prohibited.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is critical for families in American Samoa whose children may attend universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor. Texas law, combined with federal regulations and established civil precedents, provides multiple avenues for accountability and justice, both criminally and civilly.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Under Texas law—which governs cases in American Samoa through its educational institutions—hazing is clearly defined and prohibited. The Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F, specifically addresses hazing in educational settings.

According to Texas Education Code § 37.151, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act 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 definition is broad and covers acts that occur on or off campus. It emphasizes that harm can be both physical and mental. Crucially, the intent doesn’t have to be malicious; simply being “reckless” about the risk of danger is enough to meet the definition. This means that if someone knew the potential for harm and proceeded anyway, it constitutes hazing.

Criminal penalties linked to hazing in Texas can be significant:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury. Punishments can include up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes an injury requiring medical treatment, the charge elevates to a Class A misdemeanor. This can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony, carrying a range of prison sentences and higher fines.
• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and you knew about it) is also a misdemeanor.
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Beyond individual criminal liability, Texas Education Code § 37.153 addresses Organizational Liability. Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams, Corps units) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing 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. Additionally, universities have the power to revoke recognition and ban the organization from campus—a civil penalty that can severely impact a group.

Of paramount importance is Texas Education Code § 37.155, which explicitly states that consent is not a defense to prosecution for hazing. This directly refutes the common defense that the pledge “agreed to it.” The law recognizes that true consent often cannot be given in coercive environments.

Finally, Texas Education Code § 37.154 provides Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting. A person who, in good faith, reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. This provision aims to encourage reporting without fear of reprisal, although students often still fear social consequences.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

It’s important for American Samoan families to understand that hazing incidents can lead to two distinct, yet often intertwined, legal processes: criminal and civil cases.

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated and pursued by the state or government (e.g., district attorneys or state prosecutors). The primary objective is to punish individuals or organizations for violating laws. In hazing contexts, criminal charges can range from misdemeanor hazing offenses to felony charges like assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in cases resulting in serious injury or death. The standard of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• Civil Cases: These are lawsuits brought by victims or their surviving families against individuals and organizations responsible for the harm. The goal of a civil case is monetary compensation (“damages”) for losses suffered and to hold responsible parties accountable. Civil claims often involve theories of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, or premises liability. The standard of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” which is lower than in criminal cases.

A critical point is that these two types of cases can proceed independently. A criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for filing a civil lawsuit, and vice-versa. Even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction, civil liability can still be established.

Federal Overlay: Protecting Students Nationwide

In addition to Texas state law, several federal regulations can impact hazing cases, particularly concerning universities that receive federal funding.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant piece of legislation mandates greater transparency from colleges and universities. By around 2026, institutions receiving federal aid will be required to:

  • Publicly report all hazing violations and disciplinary actions.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention efforts.
  • Maintain accessible public data on hazing incidents.
    This federal act significantly bolsters the pressure on universities to address hazing proactively and transparently.

• Title IX / Clery Act:

  • Title IX (of the Education Amendments of 1972) prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or creates a hostile environment based on gender (e.g., gender-specific degrading rituals), Title IX obligations are triggered. This can compel universities to investigate, take corrective action, and provide support to victims.
  • The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. While hazing is not a specific Clery Act crime, hazing incidents often involve underlying criminal activity that is reportable, such as assault, liquor law violations, drug violations, or sexual offenses. This contributes to the broader accountability framework.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is legally responsible for hazing can be complex, but an experienced Texas hazing lawyer can identify all potential defendants.

• Individual Students: The immediate perpetrators—those who planned, organized, encouraged, or directly participated in the hazing acts—can be held personally liable. This includes officers, “pledge educators,” or any member whose actions caused harm.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or Corps unit at the university can be sued. If the chapter is recognized as a legal entity, or if its leadership authorized or condoned the hazing, it can be held accountable.
• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations: These larger, national bodies that oversee local chapters often have anti-hazing policies and risk management programs. They can be held liable if they:
  • Knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing.
  • Failed to adequately train, supervise, or discipline local chapters.
  • Ignored prior violations or complaints.
  • Collected dues or otherwise financially supported the local chapter despite knowledge of hazing.
    Their policies might be used as evidence against them if they were not enforced.
• The University or Governing Board: While public universities in Texas, including institutions where American Samoan families consider sending their children, may assert sovereign immunity (a legal doctrine protecting government entities from lawsuits), there are crucial exceptions. Universities can be held liable for:
  • Gross negligence or willful misconduct.
  • Deliberate indifference to known hazing risks, especially in cases involving Title IX violations or a pattern of ignored complaints.
  • Negligent supervision of student organizations.
  • Specific actions or inactions by university employees or administrators.
    Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections than public institutions.
• Third Parties: Depending on the specifics of an incident, other entities can also be held responsible:
  • Property Owners/Landlords: If hazing occurred at a rented house or venue, property owners who knew or should have known about illegal activity could be liable.
  • Social Hosts and Alcohol Providers: Individuals who furnished alcohol to minors or licensed establishments that served visibly intoxicated individuals (known as “dram shop” laws) can be held accountable.
  • Security Companies/Event Organizers: If an event was professionally organized, failures in providing adequate security or oversight could lead to liability.

Every hazing case is fact-specific, and not every party is liable in every situation. Identifying all potential defendants requires a thorough investigation by experienced legal counsel.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When a student from American Samoa is harmed by hazing in Texas, their case doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It stands on the shoulders of decades of tragic incidents and hard-won legal battles across the nation. These anchor stories illustrate not only the devastating consequences of hazing but also established legal precedents that prove foreseeability and negligence, strengthening cases for victims in Texas.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern: A Repeating Tragedy

The most common and lethal pattern in hazing involves forced alcohol consumption. These cases highlight the dangers of intoxication combined with a culture of secrecy and delayed medical intervention.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): This case shocked the nation and galvanized anti-hazing reform. During a “bid acceptance” event, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza was forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol. After falling repeatedly, suffering traumatic brain injuries, fraternity members delayed calling for medical help for nearly 12 hours. His agonizing hours were starkly captured on their own security cameras. The incident led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the creation of Pennsylvania’s stringent Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. The takeaway is clear: extreme intoxication, delays in calling 911, and a culture of silence combine to create a legally devastating scenario for all involved parties.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Just months after Piazza’s death, 20-year-old Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and pressured to drink. Criminal hazing charges led to convictions for multiple members, while FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life, overhauling its policies. This case underscored how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster, with national implications.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, 18, died after a “Bible study” drinking game where he was forced to consume alcohol when answering questions incorrectly; his blood alcohol content was 0.495%. The tragic death led to criminal convictions, including negligent homicide, and spurred Louisiana to pass the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law. This demonstrates how public outrage and clear proof of hazing often lead to legislative change.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, an 18-year-old pledge, was reportedly forced to consume a liter of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died three days later from alcohol poisoning. The incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions, and Bowling Green State University agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with his family, with additional confidential settlements from the fraternity and individuals. This case highlighted that universities, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities. The case also led to the enactment of Ohio’s Collin’s Law, which makes hazing a felony when alcohol or drugs cause physical harm.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern: Beyond Drinking

Hazing isn’t solely about alcohol; traditions involving physical violence, endurance, or dangerous rituals also have a long and deadly history.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a 19-year-old pledge, died after a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighted down with a backpack, he was repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for an hour, then attempted a cover-up. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, leading to a 10-year ban from Pennsylvania schools and significant fines. This landmark case proved that even remote, off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus parties, and can lead to unprecedented organizational liability.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse: Not Just Greek Life

Hazing is endemic across student organizations, even in high-profile athletic programs where it’s often disguised as team-building or initiation rites.

• Northwestern University football (2023–2025): In a recent widespread scandal, former Northwestern football players alleged pervasive sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years. This included forced sexual acts, racial discrimination, and physical abuse. The scandal led to multiple lawsuits against the university and coaching staff, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially with the university), and an independent investigation. This demonstrated hazing is not limited to Greek life and can permeate major athletic programs, raising serious questions about institutional oversight.

What These Cases Mean for American Samoan Families in Texas

These national cases set powerful precedents that directly impact American Samoan families in Texas who may face hazing situations at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor. Common threads run through these tragedies: forced drinking, physical abuse, psychological torment, humiliation, violence, and, critically, delayed or denied medical care often followed by active cover-ups.

The pattern of institutional failure to prevent and address hazing has repeatedly led to devastating outcomes. However, the legal responses—multi-million-dollar settlements, criminal convictions, and new state and federal laws—demonstrate that accountability is possible. For families seeking justice for hazing harms at Texas universities, these national anchor cases provide a powerful foundation, proving foreseeability and bolstering arguments for severe negligence and even punitive damages. The lessons learned from these tragedies empower victims to seek not only compensation but also meaningful institutional reform.

Universities: American Samoa (Earth > Oceania > American Samoa) and Texas

While there are no four-year degree-granting universities physically located within American Samoa, many families look to the mainland for higher education opportunities, and Texas universities are a popular choice. This section explores several prominent Texas institutions where students from American Samoa may attend, focusing on their hazing challenges, policies, and what families need to know.

For families in American Samoa, understanding the specific environments of these universities is crucial. While Attorney911 operates from our main office in Houston, we represent families across Texas. Even if your child attends school far from American Samoa, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can provide the necessary support.

University of Houston (UH)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Houston is a vibrant, large urban campus located in the heart of Houston. Serving tens of thousands of students, UH offers a diverse academic environment with a mix of commuter and residential students. It boasts an active Greek life community, representing various fraternities and sororities from Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural organizations. Additionally, UH has a wide array of student organizations, including cultural groups, sports clubs, and academic societies, all of which contribute to a dynamic campus culture.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance. Their policy, revised periodically, prohibits hazing in all forms, whether occurring on-campus or off-campus. Specifically, it bans forced consumption of alcohol, food, drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress as part of any initiation or group activity. UH provides clear reporting channels through its Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university typically publishes a statement on hazing on its website, often including information on past violations and sanctions, though the level of detail can vary compared to other institutions. These policies aim to create a safe environment, but the ongoing challenge lies in consistent enforcement and student compliance.

Documented Incidents & Responses

The University of Houston, unfortunately, has its share of documented hazing incidents. One significant example involved the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity in 2016. Pledges allegedly endured sleep and food deprivation over several days, culminating in an incident where one student suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. This led to misdemeanor hazing charges and a university suspension for the chapter. While this particular incident pre-dates our firm’s current leading hazing litigation case, it highlights the type of severe physical hazing that UH has confronted.

More recently, our firm, Attorney911, is actively litigating a major hazing case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. In late 2025, Attorney911 filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. Bermudez suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after alleged severe hazing. The incident included forced physical exertion, degrading rituals, and forced consumption of substances. The hazing occurred at various locations, including the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a private residence on Culmore Drive, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park in Houston. Some of the specific hazing acts detailed in our lawsuit include:

• Pledges were required to carry a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items like condoms and a sex toy, with threats of punishment for non-compliance.
• Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding” and threats of actual waterboarding.
• Hours-long “study/work” blocks with mandatory attendance and overnight/late-night driving duties.
• On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was forced to complete 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leaving him unable to stand.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• Another pledge was allegedly hog-tied by older members on October 13, 2025.

Bermudez’s severe condition, marked by brown urine and critically high creatine kinase levels, required a four-day hospitalization. The university suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6, 2025, and on November 14, 2025, the chapter voted to surrender its charter, leading to its permanent shutdown. Attorney911’s lawsuit names the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, the national Pi Kappa Phi headquarters, the local housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members as defendants. As Ralph Manginello stated, “His urine was brown,” highlighting the severity of the rhabdomyolysis. Lupe Peña added, “If this prevents harm to another person…Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” This ongoing litigation underscores the severe hazing risks at UH and the legal commitment of Attorney911 to pursue accountability.

This case has been covered extensively by local Houston media:

• 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/
• ABC13: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases involving the University of Houston typically involve complex legal proceedings due to the many potential defendants and the interplay of institutional policies and criminal law. Lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston/Harris County, leveraging experienced Houston attorneys. The involved agencies may include the UHPD for on-campus incidents or the Houston Police Department for incidents occurring off-campus but within city limits. A civil suit against UH or its entities would need to carefully navigate potential claims of sovereign immunity, focusing on exceptions such as gross negligence, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations. Cases against the fraternities and individuals would typically claim negligence, gross negligence, assault, and potentially wrongful death or catastrophic personal injury, depending on the outcome.

What UH Students & Parents in American Samoa Should Do

For American Samoan students and parents facing hazing at the University of Houston, proactive steps are vital:

• Immediate Reporting: Contact the UH Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, or UHPD to report incidents. Anonymous reporting options may also be available online.
• Document Everything: Collect all evidence: screenshots of group chats, photos/videos of injuries, and detailed notes of incidents (who, what, when, where). Preserve medical records diligently.
• Seek Experienced Legal Counsel: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys, experienced in Houston-based hazing cases, can uncover prior discipline and internal university files, which are often not publicly available, but are critical for building a strong case.

Texas A&M University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M University, located in College Station, is deeply rooted in tradition, with a unique culture heavily influenced by its military heritage, particularly the Corps of Cadets. It boasts one of the largest student bodies in the nation, fostering a strong sense of community and loyalty among Aggies. Greek life also plays a significant role, offering an alternative social scene to the Corps. Students from American Samoa seeking a blend of tradition, academic rigor, and a spirited campus atmosphere often find Texas A&M appealing.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits hazing, reflecting the Texas Education Code and a university-wide commitment to student safety. Their policies typically define hazing broadly, covering physical, mental, and emotional abuse, coercion, and humiliation for initiation or continued membership. The Student Conduct Code explicitly outlines penalties for individuals and organizations found responsible. Reporting can be made through the Student Conduct Office, the Dean of Students, the University Police Department (UPD), or via anonymous reporting systems. The Corps of Cadets also has its own internal disciplinary codes and reporting mechanisms, though these are sometimes criticized for insularity.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M, despite its traditions, has faced numerous hazing allegations and incidents in both its Greek life and the Corps of Cadets.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): This particularly disturbing case involved two pledges who alleged that during hazing, they were covered in an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required emergency skin graft surgeries. The fraternity chapter was suspended by the university, and the injured pledges filed a lawsuit seeking at least $1 million for damages. This incident highlighted the dangerous and often violent extremes of hazing, even when disguised as “tradition.”
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading and abusive hazing within the Corps. The allegations included simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million, claiming severe emotional distress and physical harm. Texas A&M acknowledged investigating the matter under its Code of Conduct.

These incidents demonstrate the persistent challenge of hazing even in a highly structured environment like Texas A&M. The university’s responses have included suspensions, probation, and disciplinary actions, but legal action often highlights the need for stronger enforcement and accountability.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Texas A&M often involve College Station Police Department or University Police, particularly for offenses occurring on or near campus. Civil lawsuits would likely proceed in courts within Brazos County. Due to the university’s public status, cases against Texas A&M may face arguments of sovereign immunity, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate gross negligence or other exceptions to pierce this protection. Potential defendants would include individual students, local chapters, national organizations (for Greek life), and potentially high-ranking individuals within the Corps of Cadets or university administration, depending on their knowledge and roles.

What Texas A&M Students & Parents in American Samoa Should Do

American Samoan students attending or planning to attend Texas A&M, and their parents, should be vigilant:

• Understand Reporting Channels: Familiarize yourselves with Texas A&M’s Student Conduct Office and the specific reporting systems for the Corps of Cadets.
• Document Vigilantly: If hazing occurs, immediately gather and preserve all evidence: screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries, and detailed accounts.
• Seek Counsel Experienced in Texas Law: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential evaluation. Our firm’s experience with large public institutions and complex litigation is crucial for navigating cases involving Texas A&M’s unique cultural and legal landscape.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System, renowned for its academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and deep-seated traditions. Situated in the heart of the state capital, UT Austin attracts a diverse student body from across Texas, the nation, and the world. Its Greek life is extensive and influential, and numerous spirit squads and other student organizations are central to campus culture. For American Samoan families, UT Austin represents a world-class education within a dynamic, albeit sometimes challenging, social environment.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin maintains a robust anti-hazing policy, strictly prohibiting any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation, affiliation, or membership. The university explicitly outlines behaviors considered hazing (e.g., forced consumption, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or humiliation) and details potential sanctions, which can range from probation to suspension or expulsion for individuals, and loss of recognition for organizations. UT Austin notably provides a readily accessible and public Hazing Violations page on its website. This online log lists organizations, dates of incidents, the specific conduct involved in violations, and the resulting sanctions. This level of transparency is rare among universities and proves an invaluable resource for students, parents, and legal counsel. Reporting can be made through the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, or the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations log offers a stark illustration of ongoing hazing challenges. While some schools may try to hide such information, UT is quite transparent in comparison.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Records show this fraternity was sanctioned for hazing violations where new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization): This well-known spirit organization has, in the past, faced sanctions for hazing practices, including forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based initiations that were degrading to new members.
• Texas Cowboys (Spirit Organization): In 2018, a “new man” of the Texas Cowboys died in a truck accident. While the university initially denied a direct link to hazing, allegations of extreme sleep deprivation and grueling tasks, which are forms of hazing, were raised. The organization’s recognition was eventually withdrawn due to unrelated physical violence.

These documented incidents, publicly available, can strongly support civil lawsuits by demonstrating a pattern of neglect, lack of effective enforcement, or prior knowledge of hazing risks by the university or specific organizations. UT’s public log, unique among Texas universities, provides crucial evidence for establishing foreseeability.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at UT Austin often involve UTPD for campus incidents or Austin Police Department for off-campus events. Civil suits would be filed in Travis County courts. Similar to UH, UT Austin (as a public university) may assert sovereign immunity. However, the public record of violations can be powerful evidence to argue exceptions to immunity, especially concerning negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to known patterns. Potential defendants include individual students, local chapters, national organizations, and high-level university administrators who were aware of recurring violations without taking effective action.

What UT Austin Students & Parents in American Samoa Should Do

For American Samoan students and parents connected to UT Austin:

• Review the Hazing Violations Log: Regularly check UT’s public page on hazing violations at https://hazing.utexas.edu. This knowledge is your best defense and can inform your decisions.
• Document & Report: Any suspected hazing should be thoroughly documented (screenshots, photos, detailed notes) and reported to the Dean of Students office or UTPD.
• Consult Legal Experts: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Our deep understanding of Texas hazing law and experience with public universities like UT Austin can help navigate the complexities of their policies and the judicial system.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas, is a private university known for its rigorous academics, beautiful campus, and strong, often affluent, Greek life presence. It cultivates a vibrant social scene where fraternities and sororities play a central role, comprising a significant portion of the student body. This environment offers a unique experience but also presents distinct challenges regarding campus culture and hazing. American Samoan families considering SMU may be drawn to its prestigious reputation and close-knit community feel, but should also be aware of the social pressures within its Greek organizations.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that is clearly communicated to students and organizations. As a private institution, SMU’s policies often mirror state law but also include specific internal regulations and disciplinary processes. The policy broadly prohibits any activity that could cause physical or mental harm or humiliation as a condition for membership. SMU utilizes reporting channels through its Office of the Dean of Students, Student Affairs, and the SMU Police Department. They also offer anonymous reporting systems, such as “Stop Hate,” which can cover hazing. While SMU does not maintain a public hazing violation log like UT Austin, it is obligated to investigate all reports and take disciplinary action as appropriate.

Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has also faced its share of hazing allegations, particularly concerning its prominent Greek organizations.

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): This fraternity was involved in a significant hazing incident where new members reportedly were paddled, forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended by the university for several years, with severe restrictions placed on its ability to recruit or operate until approximately 2021. This incident gained national attention and underscored the persistence of physical and alcohol-related hazing in the Greek system.
• Other instances of organizations (both Greek and non-Greek) being placed on probation or suspension have occurred for violations related to alcohol misuse, social misconduct, and implicit forms of hazing.

These incidents highlight SMU’s efforts to enforce its policies, but also the challenges inherent in overseeing a large and active Greek system. As a private institution, SMU’s internal disciplinary records are not always publicly accessible, making independent investigations by legal counsel even more crucial for families if legal action is pursued.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

Civil lawsuits involving SMU would generally be filed in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU typically does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it potentially more directly amenable to civil lawsuits than state-funded institutions. Potential defendants would include individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, and the university itself. Cases might explore theories of negligent supervision, premise liability, and failure to enforce anti-hazing policies, especially if there’s a history of ignored complaints or lenient discipline. SMU PD and Dallas Police Department would be involved depending on the location of the incident.

What SMU Students & Parents in American Samoa Should Do

For American Samoan families connected to Southern Methodist University:

• Utilize SMU’s Reporting Systems: Familiarize yourselves with the Office of the Dean of Students and the “Stop Hate” reporting system. Anonymous reporting is an option if immediate fear of retaliation exists.
• Private Institution, Different Dynamics: Understand that private institutions have different discovery processes than public ones. Documenting everything on your end is exceptionally important.
• Consult Attorneys with Private University Experience: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential consultation. Our firm has experience navigating the specific legal landscape of private universities and their associated organizations, which can differ significantly from public institutions.

Baylor University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University, located in Waco, is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. It is a private Christian university known for its strong religious identity, academic programs, and passionate athletic traditions. Baylor’s campus culture is shaped by its Baptist heritage, emphasizing community, service, and faith-based values. Greek life is present but tends to operate within the university’s broader religious framework, often with specific guidelines that reflect its values. Many students, including those from American Samoa, choose Baylor for its blend of faith, learning, and community.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University has an explicit and strictly enforced anti-hazing policy, emphasizing a “zero-tolerance” approach due to its Christian mission and commitment to student welfare. The policy prohibits any act that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical discomfort, intimidation, or ridicule to another person for purposes of initiation or affiliation. Baylor’s Office of Student Conduct and its Title IX Office are the primary reporting channels, along with the Baylor Police Department. The university often highlights its commitment to student safety on its website and through orientation programs, aiming to foster a culture where hazing is not tolerated.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor University, despite its official stance, has also grappled with hazing incidents, often revealing a tension between stated values and actual student behavior.

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): In a widely publicized incident, 14 players from the Baylor baseball team were suspended following a hazing investigation. The suspensions were staggered over the early season to address the misconduct without cancelling games, indicating a university effort to balance accountability with program continuity. While the specific details of the hazing were not fully released, the incident highlighted that hazing extends beyond Greek life and can affect respected athletic programs.
• Broader Cultural and Oversight Challenges: Baylor’s history includes significant high-profile scandals related to sexual assault and Title IX compliance, particularly involving its football program in the mid-2010s. While not directly hazing, these incidents point to broader systemic issues of institutional oversight, a culture of silence, and inadequate responses to student misconduct. Such a context means any new hazing allegations at Baylor would likely be viewed through a lens of heightened scrutiny regarding the university’s commitment to protecting students.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

Civil lawsuits involving Baylor University would typically be filed in McLennan County courts. As a private institution, Baylor does not enjoy sovereign immunity, making it a direct potential defendant in hazing litigation under theories of negligent supervision, premise liability, or failure to enforce its own policies. Cases may also involve individual students, local chapters, and national Greek organizations. Given Baylor’s unique religious and cultural context, the interplay between its stated values, its actual policies, and the behavior of its student organizations would be meticulously examined in any legal proceeding. Baylor PD and Waco Police Department would be involved for criminal investigations.

What Baylor University Students & Parents in American Samoa Should Do

For American Samoan families connected to Baylor University:

• Actively Engage with Policies: Understand Baylor’s specific policies on hazing and student conduct, particularly how they align with the university’s Christian values.
• Report Concerns Promptly: Use the Office of Student Conduct or Title IX Office to report any suspected hazing. These offices are mandated to investigate.
• Strategic Legal Consultation: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Our firm’s experience with private universities and their particular legal and cultural dynamics is essential for families seeking justice from institutions like Baylor, especially given previous questions about their institutional oversight.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The tapestry of college life in Texas, including at universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor, is intricately woven with the presence of fraternities and sororities. For American Samoan families, understanding these organizations is paramount. These groups, whether part of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), or multicultural Greek councils, are far more than just social clubs. They are part of larger national networks, and their histories, particularly concerning hazing, are critical in understanding present-day risks and legal liabilities.

Why National Histories Matter

When hazing occurs at a local chapter in Texas, it is rarely an isolated incident. Many fraternities and sororities at Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations. These national headquarters typically have extensive anti-hazing policies, risk management manuals, and legal departments. The reason for such detailed policies is simple: these organizations have a long history of members being injured, and in many cases, dying, due to hazing. They have witnessed the repeating patterns—forced drinking nights, physical endurance tests, humiliating rituals, and the devastating consequences of these “traditions.”

This extensive national history creates a legal concept known as foreseeability. If a national organization has experienced multiple hazing deaths or severe injuries across its chapters nationwide involving similar conduct, it becomes difficult for them to claim they “didn’t know” or “couldn’t have foreseen” that such activities could cause harm at a Texas chapter. When a local chapter in Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, or Waco repeats the same dangerous script that led to a lawsuit or a campus ban in another state, that documented pattern can form a powerful foundation for a compelling negligence argument or support claims for punitive damages against both the local chapter and its national parent organization. It demonstrates a failure to effectively prevent, supervise, and enforce policies that they knew (or should have known) were necessary.

Organization Mapping: Connecting Local Chapters to National Patterns

While we cannot list every single chapter at every Texas university, it is crucial to recognize that many prominent fraternities and sororities with a presence at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are part of national organizations with well-documented hazing issues. Here’s how some of these national patterns manifest and become relevant for Texas families:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• Description: Pi Kappa Alpha, often referred to as “Pike,” is a prominent social fraternity with a significant presence at many large universities, including in Texas.
• National Hazing Pattern: Pike has a deeply concerning national history of alcohol-related hazing. The most tragic example is the 2021 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University, where he died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big/Little” night after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol. Criminal convictions followed, and the civil suit resulted in a $10 million settlement, with Pike national contributing significantly. Another notable case involved David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University in 2012, who also died from alcohol poisoning at a fraternity event, leading to a $14 million settlement. These repeated incidents, involving forced drinking in initiation contexts, highlight a national pattern within Pi Kappa Alpha that makes similar incidents at Texas chapters highly foreseeable.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• Description: Sigma Alpha Epsilon is one of the largest national fraternities in the U.S., with deep roots and numerous chapters across Texas campuses.
• National Hazing Pattern: SAE has been labeled “America’s deadliest fraternity” by Bloomberg News due to multiple hazing-related deaths, primarily from alcohol poisoning, over a period of many years. In 2014, in response to this alarming trend, SAE took the unprecedented step of eliminating its pledging process nationwide, replacing it with a “full membership upon initiation” model, though hazing incidents have unfortunately continued in some chapters.
  • A recent lawsuit (filed 2023) against SAE at the University of Alabama alleged a pledge suffered a traumatic brain injury during a hazing ritual.
  • At Texas A&M University in 2021, two pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after members poured industrial-strength cleaner, eggs, and spit on them during hazing. The pledges sued for $1 million.
  • In January 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin, an Australian exchange student sued the SAE chapter for over $1 million after allegedly being assaulted by fraternity members, exacerbating injuries to his leg and face. The chapter was already suspended for prior violations.
    These cases, spanning different universities and types of hazing, clearly demonstrate a national pattern of violent and dangerous hazing within SAE that contributes to foreseeability in any Texas incident.

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• Description: Phi Delta Theta is a national social fraternity with a presence at various Texas universities.
• National Hazing Pattern: Phi Delta Theta is infamous for the 2017 death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University. Gruver died from alcohol poisoning after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game where he was forced to consume large quantities of alcohol. This led to criminal convictions, including negligent homicide, for members and the passage of the Max Gruver Act (an anti-hazing felony law in Louisiana). This case shows a clear national pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• Description: Pi Kappa Phi is a national social fraternity with active chapters in Texas and a tragic national hazing history.
• National Hazing Pattern: Alongside our firm’s ongoing litigation at the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi is also known for the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University. Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event where pledges were given handles of hard liquor. Multiple members faced criminal prosecution for hazing. The national organization’s repeated involvement in severe alcohol hazing incidents like Coffey’s and now the Bermudez case demonstrates a pattern that cannot be ignored.

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• Description: Kappa Alpha Order, with its Southern heritage, maintains chapters at many Texas universities, including SMU and Texas A&M.
• National Hazing Pattern: Kappa Alpha Order has faced numerous hazing allegations and suspensions across the country. At SMU in 2017, a significant incident occurred where new members were reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep, leading to the chapter’s prolonged suspension. In 1987, at the University of Mississippi, Harry “Skip” Cline Jr., 18, died after a “Big Brother-Little Brother” party involving alcohol, although the university ruled it an accident. The national organization’s repeated struggles with chapters violating anti-hazing policies contribute to a pattern of known risk.

Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)

• Description: Sigma Chi is a large and recognized fraternity across U.S. campuses, with a presence at many Texas universities.
• National Hazing Pattern: Sigma Chi has encountered significant hazing litigation. Most recently, in 2024, a pledge at the College of Charleston received more than $10 million in damages after alleging physical beatings, forced consumption of drugs/alcohol, and psychological torment. Additionally, a 2020 pledge at the University of Texas at Arlington was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning, leading to a lawsuit claiming negligent supervision and failure to implement risk management. These cases highlight a pattern of physical and alcohol-related hazing that carries substantial financial consequences.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For American Samoan families pursuing legal action for hazing in Texas, understanding these national histories becomes a cornerstone of an effective legal strategy.

• Proving Foreseeability: When a local chapter from UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor engages in hazing tactics that have injured or killed pledges in other chapters nationwide, it is powerful evidence that the national organization “knew or should have known” the risks. This makes arguments of such harm being unforeseeable virtually impossible to maintain.
• Establishing Negligence: A history of hazing within an organization directly supports claims that the national body was negligent in supervising, training, or disciplining its chapters. If anti-hazing policies were merely “paper policies” and not genuinely enforced, it strengthens a plaintiff’s case.
• Impact on Settlement and Insurance: These national patterns can significantly influence settlement negotiations and insurance coverage disputes. Insurers are often harder pressed to deny coverage for “intentional acts” when a pattern of negligence by the national organization can be proven through its long history of similar incidents.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, demonstrating a national pattern of ignoring hazing can contribute to arguments for punitive damages, which are designed to punish reckless behavior and deter future misconduct.

By meticulously researching and presenting the national context of hazing, Attorney911 builds a compelling case that holds not only the perpetrators but also the powerful national organizations accountable for the safety of students in Texas.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a successful hazing case is a multi-faceted endeavor that relies on meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of legal damages, and a strategic approach honed by experience. For American Samoan families in Texas, understanding this process offers clarity and empowerment during a difficult time.

Evidence: The Foundation of a Hazing Case

Modern hazing investigations are often won or lost based on the quality and breadth of preserved evidence. Many hazing incidents occur in secrecy, but digital footprints and institutional records can reveal the truth.

• Digital Communications: These are often the most critical pieces of evidence today.

  • Group Messaging Apps: Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS group texts, Discord, and Slack are commonly used to plan, command, and coordinate hazing activities. Messages can reveal explicit instructions, threats, derogatory language, demands for secrecy, and even the planning of illegal acts.
  • Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts can contain photos, videos, or discussions related to hazing. These platforms can be used for public humiliation, digital dares, or to track pledges.
  • How to Preserve: Counsel advises immediate and thorough screenshots of all relevant conversations, ensuring timestamps, sender names, and ample context are visible. If auto-delete features are in use, screen recording may be necessary. Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages, but original captures are invaluable.

• Photos & Videos:

  • Perpetrator Content: Many perpetrators record hazing to document compliance or for their own entertainment. Recovery of these photos and videos, either from phones, cloud storage, or social media, provides irrefutable proof of acts.
  • Victim Documentation: Photos and videos of injuries (bruises, burns, swelling) taken immediately after the incident and over several days to show progression are essential. These should include contextual items for scale, like a ruler or coin.
  • Location/Object Documentation: Images of where hazing occurred (house, specific room, off-campus venue) and objects used (paddles, alcohol bottles, blindfolds, humiliating props) provide concrete links to the alleged misconduct.

• Internal Organization Documents: These can lay bare a chapter’s internal operations and potential historical patterns.

  • Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, lists of “traditions” or “requirements” for new members.
  • Emails or texts from chapter officers outlining demands or “events.”
  • National organization policies and training materials that, if ignored by the local chapter, highlight a failure to supervise effectively.

• University Records: These shed light on the institution’s knowledge and prior actions.

  • Prior Discipline: Records of past hazing violations, probations, or suspensions involving the same chapter or individual members.
  • Incident Reports: Reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices related to similar behavior.
  • Public Records Requests: For public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin), requests under open records laws can compel disclosure of relevant documents, even if a lawsuit isn’t immediately filed. This often provides information about campus police logs or prior conduct issues.
  • Clery Act Reports: While not always specific, these campus security reports can reveal patterns of alcohol or assault violations on campus, potentially including those related to Greek life.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the extent of the harm.

  • Emergency room, hospital, and ambulance records detail immediate injuries and care.
  • Toxicology reports, blood alcohol levels, and lab results (e.g., for rhabdomyolysis or organ damage).
  • Psychological evaluations and therapy notes document emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation directly linked to the hazing.

• Witness Testimony: The accounts of individuals present or knowledgeable about the hazing are crucial.

  • Fellow pledges, current or former members, roommates, coaches, RAs, or bystanders can offer firsthand accounts.
  • Expert witnesses (e.g., hazing researchers, medical professionals, digital forensic experts) can provide context and interpretation.

Damages: Compensating for the Cost of Hazing

In Texas, successful hazing lawsuits can result in significant financial compensation, categorized into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses.

  • Medical Bills & Future Care: Covering past emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation (physical, occupational, speech therapy), medications, and long-term care plans for catastrophic injuries (such as severe brain injury or organ damage).
  • Lost Income & Educational Impact: Compensation for lost wages due to injury, tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, and potential diminution of future earning capacity if injuries lead to permanent disability or career setbacks.

• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for subjective, non-financial losses.

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Covering the pain endured from injuries and any ongoing discomfort.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: Addressing the profound mental anguish, humiliation, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and loss of dignity caused by the hazing.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensating for the inability to participate in valued activities, social withdrawal, and the overall diminishment of the college experience.

• Wrongful Death Damages: In fatal hazing cases, surviving family members (parents, children, and spouses in Texas) can seek:

  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and society.
  • Grief and mental anguish of the family.

• Punitive Damages: These are awarded not to compensate the victim but to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter future similar acts. They are often sought when defendants display extreme recklessness, malice, or deliberate indifference to known dangers.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation is complex because it often involves multiple defendants, each with their own legal and insurance strategies. Insurance coverage is a critical component, as it often dictates the capacity to fund large settlements or verdicts.

• Multiple Defendants: Besides individual students, local chapters, and national organizations, universities (especially private ones like SMU and Baylor) and property owners can be joined as defendants. Each party’s liability often rests on their duty of care, knowledge of risks, and actions taken (or not taken) to prevent harm.
• Insurance Challenges: National fraternities, local chapters, and universities typically carry liability insurance. However, insurers frequently try to deny coverage for hazing incidents, arguing that “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct” fall under policy exclusions.
• Attorney911’s Advantage: This is where Attorney911’s unique expertise, leveraging Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, becomes invaluable. She understands the “other side’s playbook”—how insurers interpret policies, develop coverage defenses, and undervalue claims. This insider knowledge allows our firm to strategically navigate complex insurance coverage disputes, challenge wrongful denials, and maximize recovery for our clients. By focusing on the negligent supervision or failure to enforce policies (rather than solely on intentional acts), experienced hazing lawyers can often compel insurers to provide coverage for even the most challenging cases.

Strategy: A Comprehensive Approach

Attorney911 employs a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes the client’s well-being and seeks maximum accountability. This includes:

• Thorough Investigation: Utilizing digital forensics, compelling discovery requests for internal documents, and expert witness testimony to uncover all facts.
• Aggressive Advocacy: Standing up to powerful institutions and their legal teams, ensuring our clients’ voices are heard.
• Dual Track Capability: Understanding the interplay between criminal charges (and their potential impact on civil liability) and civil litigation, allowing for a holistic legal approach.
• Focus on Prevention: Beyond monetary compensation, advocating for policy changes and institutional reforms to prevent future hazing tragedies.

For American Samoan families, building an effective hazing case requires not just legal knowledge, but also a deep familiarity with the nuanced world of university student organizations and the tactics employed by institutions to defend themselves.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing strikes, American Samoan families in Texas often feel blindsided, confused, and overwhelmed. Knowing what steps to take, what questions to ask, and what pitfalls to avoid can make a critical difference. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance for parents and students.

For Parents in American Samoa

Your role is often the most critical in recognizing and responding to hazing. Pay attention to subtle shifts in your child’s behavior and be ready to act.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be aware of more than just visible injuries. Look for:

  • Unexplained physical changes: Bruises, cuts, exhaustion, significant weight changes, or becoming secretive about injuries.
  • Sudden behavioral shifts: Increased secrecy, withdrawal from friends or family, sudden anxiety, depression, irritability, or frequent phone calls at odd hours requiring immediate response.
  • Academic decline: A sudden drop in grades, missed classes, or constant sleep deprivation impacting studies.
  • Financial strain: Unexplained requests for money, sudden high expenses, or large credit card bills without clear purpose.
  • Digital changes: Obsessive phone checking, deleting messages, or signs of digital humiliation on social media.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment. Start with open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with your group?” or “Is there anything you find uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, not their membership in any organization. Assure them you will support them, even if it means leaving the group or facing difficult conversations.

• If Your Child Is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Do not delay. Document everything they tell you, take clear photos of any injuries, and save any relevant digital communications. Early documentation is vital before evidence disappears.

• Dealing with the University: Every communication with university administrators should be carefully documented. Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what measures the school took. Do not let them minimize your concerns.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child experiences significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing or hiding what happened, it’s time to consult legal counsel. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options.

For Students / Pledges in Texas from American Samoa

Your safety and well-being are paramount. You have rights, and you are not alone.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? If you feel unsafe, humiliated, coerced, or forced to consume any substance, or endure pain, it is hazing. If the activity is secret, hidden from university officials, or involves lying to parents, it is hazing. Tradition should never involve abuse.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The pressure to “fit in,” the fear of exclusion, and the intense desire to belong are powerful forces. The law recognizes that “consent” given under such duress is often not true voluntary consent. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time, especially if you feel unsafe. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you wish to leave, send a clear text or email to the chapter leadership stating your resignation. Avoid “one last meeting” if you fear pressure or retaliation. You can report privately or anonymously through campus channels (Dean of Students, Title IX office) or national hotlines like 1-888-NOT-HAZE. Good-faith reporting laws mean you generally will not get in trouble for seeking help in an emergency.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law and many university policies offer protections for students who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved. Your priority should always be the health and safety of yourself and others.

For Former Members / Witnesses

Your perspective can be crucial in preventing future tragedies.

• If you have witnessed hazing, or even participated in it, but now have regrets, your testimony and evidence can make a profound difference. While you may have your own legal concerns, your honest account can help victims achieve justice and ensure that dangerous practices are exposed. An attorney can advise you on your rights and responsibilities, helping you navigate your role as a witness or even if you face potential personal liability.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Avoid these common missteps if you suspect hazing:

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Looks like a cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; may make a case nearly impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content. Use your cellphone to document a legal case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses.
   • What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility; can waive privilege.
   • What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: They might pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that hurt the case.
   • What to do instead: Once you’re considering legal action, all communication should go through your lawyer.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs, and the university controls the narrative. University processes are often not designed for real accountability or compensation.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult a lawyer immediately.

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

   • Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are often lowball offers the insurance company wants you to accept quickly.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and say, “My attorney will contact you.”
     For more insights, watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) typically have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it can become a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals (including officers) can also face misdemeanor charges for failing to report hazing. If criminal charges are a concern, Attorney911’s criminal defense lawyers (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) can advise.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” extracted under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas. This is known as the statute of limitations. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases where hazing was actively concealed through cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and organizations destroy records. Do not delay. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Learn more about the statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability, even if an incident occurred off-campus. Many major hazing cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments for incidents that took place far from campus.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before going to trial. Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy interests while pursuing accountability. The extent of public exposure can often be negotiated as part of a settlement.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

For American Samoan families whose lives have been turned upside down by a hazing incident at a Texas university, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need skilled, experienced attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. That’s where The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911, stands apart.

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including American Samoa and surrounding areas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families far and wide, and we are committed to providing unparalleled legal representation. Our expertise goes beyond the courtroom; we delve into the intricate cultures of fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments to uncover the truth.

One of our firm’s most significant advantages is the insurance insider knowledge brought by Lupe Peña. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, Lupe understands exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (or undervalue) hazing claims. She knows their tactics for delay, arguments for coverage exclusion, and settlement strategies. Her insight means we know their playbook because we used to run it, giving our clients a critical edge. You can learn more about Lupe’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings extensive experience in complex litigation against massive institutions. Ralph was part of the legal team involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, one of the few Texas firms to tackle such a colossal defendant. Our federal court admissions (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) further demonstrate our capacity to take on powerful adversaries and their defense teams. We are not intimidated by national fraternities, multi-million-dollar universities, or their legal counsel. Our track record, including multi-million dollar wrongful death results (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), shows we don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force real accountability. Discover more about Ralph’s credentials at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

Moreover, our firm boasts dual criminal and civil hazing expertise. Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) equips us with a comprehensive understanding of how criminal hazing charges (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) interact with civil litigation. This means we can provide holistic advice, whether your case involves criminal investigations, civil lawsuits, or both.

We excel in investigative depth, leveraging a network of experts—medical, digital forensics, economists, and psychologists—to build compelling cases. We know how to obtain hidden evidence, from deleted group chats and social media content to subpoenaed national fraternity records and university files. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. Our goal is to uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent such tragedies from happening to another family.

Take the First Step: Contact Attorney911 Today

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in American Samoa and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened without judgment, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward. There is no pressure to hire us on the spot—we want you to feel empowered and informed. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Learn more about how contingency fees work in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

For immediate assistance, please use the following contact information:

• Call our Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Visit our Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello directly: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: Servicios legales en español disponibles. Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Whether you’re in American Samoa or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. 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

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