The Definitive Guide to Hazing Incidents, Laws, and Accountability for Travis County Families

If your child is a student at the University of Texas at Austin, or any campus in our state, the nightmare often begins with a text message. It’s a “mandatory” meeting at an off-campus house. It’s a “bonding” retreat that feels wrong. It’s your student coming home to Austin for the weekend exhausted, withdrawn, or with unexplained bruises they dismiss as “just part of the process.” For parents right here in Travis County—in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and across Central Texas—the fear is real: is my child being hazed?

This comprehensive guide is written for you, the Texas parent. We will explain what hazing truly looks like today, how Texas and federal law protects your child, and what we can learn from major national cases that directly impact students at UT Austin, Texas A&M, University of Houston, SMU, and Baylor. We will also detail the active, serious hazing litigation our firm is leading right now in Texas, because families deserve more than generic information—they need to know who is fighting today for accountability.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Steps for Travis County Families

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, seek care. Document everything.
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot group chats (GroupMe, texts), photograph injuries, save any physical items. Do not delete anything.
3. Write It Down: Document names, dates, locations, and everything your child recalls.
4. Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign anything from the university or insurers, or post details on social media.
5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears quickly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is not a relic of the past or “boys being boys.” It is a pattern of coercion, abuse, and endangerment that has evolved with technology and become more hidden. For Travis County families with students at UT Austin or other campuses, understanding the modern reality is the first step to protection.

A Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Consent

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. The critical element is the power imbalance. When an 18-year-old pledge is surrounded by older members who control their social future, “yes” is not true consent. Texas law understands this, explicitly stating that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

Today’s hazing falls into interconnected categories, often escalating from one to the next:

1. Digital & Psychological Control (The New Frontier):

• 24/7 Group Chat Surveillance: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
• Location Tracking: Required to share live location via apps.
• Threats & Isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, constant verbal abuse.

2. Alcohol & Substance Hazing (The Most Deadly Pattern):

• Forced consumption of excessive alcohol (“family tree” games, “Big/Little” reveals).
• Coerced drinking of unknown concoctions or dangerous amounts.
• Pressure to consume drugs as part of initiation.

3. Physical Abuse & Endurance Hazing:

• “Workouts” or “Smokings”: Extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, squats) far beyond conditioning.
• Paddling or Beatings: Physical strikes, often with objects.
• Sleep, Food, or Water Deprivation.
• Exposure to extreme elements (cold weather in underwear).

4. Sexualized & Degrading Hazing:

• Forced nudity or partial nudity.
• Simulated sexual acts or degrading positions.
• Humiliating costumes or roles.

5. “Tradition” Disguised as Hazing:

• Activities framed as “team building,” “character building,” or “legacy” that are, in fact, abusive, coercive, and dangerous.

The Texas & Federal Legal Framework: Your Child’s Rights

Texas has specific laws against hazing, and federal statutes provide additional layers of protection and accountability. Understanding this framework is crucial for Travis County families seeking justice.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

The Texas hazing law is found in the Education Code, which applies to all schools receiving state funds. Key provisions every Travis County parent should know:

• §37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with an organization.
• §37.152 – Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury needing medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• §37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: This is critical. It doesn’t matter if your child “went along with it.” The law protects them from their own coerced consent.
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are generally protected from liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA) to punish wrongdoing. Can result in jail time, fines, and probation for individuals. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family to obtain compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. This is where experienced hazing attorneys recover the resources needed for medical care, therapy, and future security. Our firm handles these complex civil actions.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based abuse, the university has specific federal obligations to respond.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report and publish crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention by universities receiving federal aid, with provisions phasing in through 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every entity with responsibility, which may include:

• The Individual Perpetrators: Members who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
• The Local Chapter: As an organization that permitted or encouraged the conduct.
• The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or intervene despite known patterns.
• The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
• Chapter Housing Corporations & Alumni Boards: Entities that own property or oversee operations.
• Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses or commercial venues where hazing occurred.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic national cases from the past decade are not isolated incidents; they are blueprints that repeat. They show the foreseeable risks that national fraternities and universities know about—or should know about. For a Travis County family, these precedents establish the legal principles of negligence and foreseeability that can support your case.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: A Predictable Tragedy

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. This led to a $10 million settlement (with $7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national). The lawsuit showed the national organization was aware of this dangerous tradition but failed to stop it.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
Pledge died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His death led Louisiana to pass the Max Gruver Act, strengthening felony hazing penalties. The case proved the deadly nature of coerced drinking games.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
Pledge died after a “Big Brother” night involving excessive alcohol. This case is directly relevant as we are currently litigating against the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, in Texas.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Lasting Injury

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):
An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after being forced to drink during a “pledge dad reveal.” He requires 24/7 care for life. His family secured confidential multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants, showing that non-fatal injuries can lead to lifetime damages.

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted, demonstrating organizational liability for off-campus conduct.

What These Cases Mean for Travis County Families

These national tragedies establish that forced drinking, violent rituals, and cover-ups are known, foreseeable risks. When a chapter at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or any Texas school engages in the same conduct, the national headquarters and university cannot claim they were caught by surprise. This pattern evidence is the foundation of a powerful negligence claim.

Texas University Focus: Where Travis County Students Go

Travis County is the heart of Texas higher education, home to the University of Texas at Austin. Our families also send students across the state to other major campuses. Here is what you need to know about hazing at these schools.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Ongoing Challenges

For Austin and Travis County families, UT is our backyard institution. It maintains one of the more transparent public hazing logs in the state, which reveals ongoing issues.

Campus Snapshot:
UT hosts a massive Greek life community and hundreds of student organizations. The culture of tradition is strong, both in fraternities and in esteemed spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys.

Documented Incidents & UT’s Response:
UT’s public hazing violation log shows a pattern of recurring conduct:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2023): Reported for hazing and alcohol violations. (This national fraternity has a documented history of severe incidents elsewhere, including a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama in 2023).
• Various spirit and athletic organizations have faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliation.

How a UT Hazing Case Proceeds:
Jurisdiction may involve UT Police Department and Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits are typically filed in Travis County district courts. The university’s own public log of prior violations becomes powerful evidence of notice and pattern.

Texas A&M University: Greek Life and Corps Culture

Campus Snapshot:
A&M’s defining features are its powerful Greek system and the Corps of Cadets—both have faced serious hazing allegations.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Chemical Burns Lawsuit (~2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

What College Station & Texas Families Should Know:
Hazing at A&M occurs in both Greek and military-style traditions. The university’s response often involves the Student Conduct office and Corps-specific regulations.

University of Houston: A Flagship Case in Our Backyard

Campus Snapshot:
UH is a large, diverse urban campus with an active Greek community. It is currently at the center of one of the most serious ongoing hazing cases in Texas—a case our firm is actively litigating.

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case (Active, Late 2025):
This is not a historical example. This is a current, $10 million lawsuit we filed in Harris County on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. The facts are severe:

• The Hazing: Pledges were forced to carry degrading “fanny packs,” endure hours-long “study” blocks, and perform extreme physical abuse. This included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a Nov. 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
• The Injury: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces the risk of permanent kidney damage.
• The Defendants: The lawsuit names the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
• The Aftermath: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, 2025, shutting down the chapter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case is proof of our firm’s active, high-stakes hazing litigation. For Travis County families, it demonstrates what is possible when you take on a major university and national fraternity. You can read the detailed media coverage in the Click2Houston report and ABC13 coverage.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university with a strong Greek presence, SMU has faced incidents including a 2017 Kappa Alpha Order suspension for paddling and forced drinking. Transparency can be limited.
• Baylor: Following past institutional scandals, Baylor has faced hazing issues within its athletic programs, such as a 2020 baseball team hazing suspension. Its faith-based identity adds a complex layer to accountability narratives.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Public Records Every Travis County Parent Should See

At Attorney911, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to map the Texas Greek ecosystem. This allows us to immediately identify every potentially liable entity behind a fraternity or sorority. Below is a sample of the directory we maintain for families across Texas, including Travis County.

This data, compiled from IRS filings (B83 organizations) and other public sources, shows the complex network of house corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities that operate in Texas. Knowing these legal names and EINs is the first step in holding them accountable.

Public Records Directory: Fraternity, Sorority & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

A Snapshot of Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc | EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation | EIN: 37-1768785 | Missouri City, TX 77459
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc | EIN: 13-3048786 | College Station, TX 77845
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi | EIN: 74-6047117 | Austin, TX 78705 (Connected to UT Austin)
• Texas Rho Chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity | EIN: 74-1942292 | Waco, TX 76706 (Connected to Baylor)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter | EIN: 74-6084905 | Houston, TX 77204 (Connected to UH)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Iota Chapter | EIN: 47-5381060 | San Marcos, TX 78666 (Connected to Texas State)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter | EIN: 90-0293166 | College Station, TX 77843

Metro-Level Organizational Counts (From Cause IQ Data):

• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek-related organizations.
• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ organizations.
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations.
• San Antonio Metro: 86+ organizations.

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
When hazing occurs, the undergraduate chapter is often just the visible tip of the iceberg. Behind it are housing corporations that own property, alumni associations that fund operations, and national headquarters that collect dues. Our pre-existing knowledge of this landscape means we can immediately subpoena records, identify insurance coverage, and build a case against the full network of responsibility, not just the students in the room.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

Pursuing a hazing case requires an investigative depth that most law firms cannot muster. We apply the same rigorous approach we’ve used against billion-dollar corporations in the BP Texas City explosion litigation to uncover the truth for Texas families.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages can often be recovered. Social media posts, Snapchats, and Instagram stories are critical.
2. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting minutes, and emails between members and national headquarters.
3. University Files: Prior conduct reports, Clery Act logs, and internal communications obtained through discovery or public information requests.
4. Medical Documentation: ER records, lab tests (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), psychological evaluations for PTSD, and future life-care plans.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

The law allows for compensation that addresses the full scope of harm:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and educational costs (e.g., transferring schools).
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Our Strategic Advantages in Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims, deny coverage, and lowball settlements. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Institutional Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams with unlimited budgets.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to effectively advise clients and witnesses.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with compassion and clarity.

Practical Guides & Critical Advice for Travis County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Watch for:

• Unexplained injuries, exhaustion, or sudden weight changes.
• Personality shifts: withdrawal, anxiety, defensiveness about the organization.
• Constant, secretive phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

If you suspect hazing:

1. Talk to your child calmly, focusing on safety, not blame.
2. Preserve any evidence they show you (photograph screenshots).
3. Contact an attorney before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence.
4. Document all communications with the school.

For Students: Your Safety and Rights

• Trust Your Gut: If it feels dangerous, coercive, or degrading, it likely is hazing.
• You Have the Right to Leave: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos of injuries, and save emails.
• Report Safely: You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Potential Case

We urge families to watch our video on Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case. Key errors include:

• Deleting evidence (texts, photos) out of embarrassment.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly, giving them time to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing a university’s “resolution” agreement without an attorney’s review, which may waive your right to sue.
• Posting details on social media, which defense attorneys will mine for inconsistencies.
• Waiting too long. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the Texas statute of limitations runs. Learn more about deadlines in our video on Texas Statutes of Limitations.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Travis County Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal knowledge with relentless investigative drive. We are not a settlement mill. We are trial-tested litigators who prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, because that is how you force powerful institutions to take accountability seriously.

Our Active Proof: The Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi Case

We are not just talking about hazing law; we are practicing it at the highest level right now. Our active representation of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is a testament to our capability and commitment. We are already in the fight that many families fear.

A Texas Firm for Texas Families

Based in Houston with an Austin office, we serve families throughout Travis County and across Texas. We understand the unique cultures of UT Austin, Texas A&M, and our state’s other flagship institutions. We know the local courts, and we have the resources to take on national organizations.

No Cost Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our fees come only from a successful recovery, aligning our interests completely with yours. Learn how this works in our video, How Do Contingency Fees Work?

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have legal teams working from day one to protect themselves. You deserve the same level of advocacy.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today.

• Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Visit our website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Managing Partner Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Attorney Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

In a free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigation process and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about timelines and costs.
• Help you make an informed decision about the best path forward for your family.

Don’t wait. Evidence fades, and deadlines pass. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.