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Hazing at Texas Universities: A Guide for Cooke County Families

The crisp Texas autumn air carries the cheers of college football, the murmur of campus life, and for many families, the hopeful dreams they hold for their children heading off to big universities. But sometimes, beneath the surface of vibrant campus traditions, a darker, more insidious phenomenon takes root: hazing. In a quiet town like Gainesville, or across the rural landscapes of Cooke County, it’s easy to believe that such extreme rituals happen “somewhere else.” However, the truth is that hazing is a pervasive issue that can touch any university, affecting families right here in Cooke County and across the Lone Star State.

Imagine a scene that plays out in whispers and hushed phone calls: A student from Cooke County, new to their university, finds themselves at an off-campus fraternity house or a late-night Corps of Cadets event. The atmosphere is charged. They’re pressured to drink far beyond safe limits, or endure exhausting physical abuse, or perform degrading acts – all in the name of “tradition” or “earning your spot.” Others film on phones, chanting and laughing, while a silent fear grips the new recruit. Someone might get hurt – a fall, forced vomiting, or a sudden collapse. But no one calls 911 immediately, afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble.” The student feels trapped between a desperate desire for belonging and their own safety.

This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on hazing and the law in Texas for families in Cooke County and across the state. We’ll explore what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas and federal law address it, and what lessons we can draw from major national cases. We will also delve into specific patterns of hazing and accountability at some of Texas’s largest institutions, including the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University – schools where many Cooke County families send their children. Most importantly, we will outline the legal options victims and their families in Cooke County and beyond may have.

This article provides general information and is not specific legal advice. However, The Manginello Law Firm is here to evaluate individual cases based on their specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including those right here in Cooke County.

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

The popular image of hazing—a few silly pranks or forced push-ups—is a dangerous and outdated stereotype. In 2025, hazing is a complex, often brutal, and sometimes deadly phenomenon that prioritizes group “loyalty” and “tradition” over an individual’s physical and mental well-being. For Cooke County families, understanding the true nature of modern hazing is the first step toward protecting your children. It’s no longer just about lighthearted initiation games; it’s about power, coercion, and control.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

In broad terms, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, maintaining membership, or holding office in any organization that includes students, and that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student. This definition, echoing Texas law, highlights several critical points:

• Coercion, not consent: Even if a student appears to “agree” to an activity, genuine consent is impossible when there’s a power imbalance, intense peer pressure, or fear of exclusion. The law often recognizes that such “consent” is not truly voluntary.
• Intentional, knowing, or reckless: Hazing doesn’t require malicious intent. If someone is aware of a risk to health or safety and proceeds anyway, that can qualify as hazing.
• Mental or physical harm: Hazing isn’t just about broken bones. It includes psychological torment, humiliation, and emotional abuse that can have lasting consequences.

Main Categories of Hazing

Modern hazing manifests across various disturbing categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is by far the most dangerous and deadliest form of hazing. It involves:

  • Forced or coerced drinking: Requiring pledges to consume large quantities of alcohol in short periods, often tied to “games” or rituals.
  • “Lineups”: Multiple drinks presented in a row, with pledges forced to quickly consume them.
  • Blind chugging or funneling: Pressure to drink until passing out.
  • Unknown substances: Being made to consume drugs or unknown liquids.
    This often happens during “Big/Little reveal” nights or “pledge sneaks” and can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning.

• Physical Hazing: Despite anti-hazing policies, physical mistreatment remains tragically common:

  • Paddling and beatings: Deliberate physical attacks with hands, objects, or paddles.
  • Extreme calisthenics or “smokings”: Forced, prolonged physical exertion until exhaustion or injury, often disguised as “team building” or “conditioning.”
  • Sleep and food deprivation: Mandatory late-night activities, early morning wake-up calls, or restricting access to meals.
  • Exposure to extremes: Leaving pledges outside in severe weather, or forcing them into dirty, unsanitary, or dangerous environments.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts are deeply traumatizing and often involve:

  • Forced nudity or partial nudity: Stripping, or being made to pose in compromising ways.
  • Simulated sexual acts: Requiring pledges to perform or participate in sexually degrading behaviors, such as “elephant walks” or “roasted pig” positions.
  • Degrading costumes: Forcing pledges to wear humiliating attire in public.
  • Discriminatory acts: Acts with racial, sexist, homophobic, or other discriminatory overtones, including the use of slurs or stereotypical role-playing.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but profoundly damaging, this includes:

  • Verbal abuse and threats: Constant yelling, insults, intimidation tactics.
  • Isolation and manipulation: Preventing pledges from interacting with non-members, or using psychological manipulation to control their behavior and thoughts.
  • Public shaming: Forcing pledges to endure public ridicule or embarrassment.
  • Secrecy and deception: Requiring pledges to lie to parents, faculty, or authorities about activities, creating a culture of silence.

• Digital/Online Hazing: A newer, but rapidly evolving and dangerous form of hazing:

  • Group chat coercion: Using apps like GroupMe, Snapchat, or Instagram to demand immediate responses, issue commands, or organize illicit activities at all hours.
  • Online humiliation: Forcing pledges to post embarrassing content on social media, or participating in online “challenges” that are degrading or risky.
  • Cyberstalking and harassment: Tracking pledges’ locations, or subjecting them to online abuse if they don’t comply.
  • Evidence manipulation: Ordering pledges to delete messages, photos, or videos to cover up hazing.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is limited to “fraternities.” While Greek life often faces scrutiny, hazing is interwoven into a much broader fabric of campus culture. For Cooke County families, it’s crucial to understand that no type of student organization is immune:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) historically Black Greek letter organizations, and multicultural Greek groups.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: Tradition-bound groups with rigid hierarchies can sometimes blur the line between discipline and abuse.
• Athletic Teams: From varsity football and basketball down to club sports, hazing can occur in the guise of “team bonding” or “toughening up” new recruits.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups can foster environments where new members are subjected to demeaning or abusive rituals.
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs: Organizations tied to school spirit or long-standing traditions may engage in hazing under the pretense of upholding historical customs.
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Hazing is a power dynamic, and it can appear in any group where there’s a desire for exclusivity and control over new members.

The common threads that allow hazing to persist—social status, tradition, and a culture of secrecy—all contribute to making it a difficult issue to eradicate, even when all involved “know” it’s prohibited.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for families in Cooke County and across the state. It’s not just a university policy violation; hazing can carry serious criminal and civil penalties.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has specific, robust anti-hazing provisions enshrined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This framework is designed to protect students and hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

According to § 37.151, hazing is defined as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, performed by a student acting 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.

In plain English: If an individual or group forces, coerces, or pressures a student to perform any act that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading—even if indirectly—for the purpose of joining or staying in a student organization, it constitutes hazing under Texas law. This applies regardless of whether the activity occurs on or off campus, a critical point for Cooke County families whose children might attend schools far from home.

The law specifies:

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):

  • Class B Misdemeanor (default): This applies to hazing that doesn’t result in serious injury, carrying penalties of up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical attention.
  • State Jail Felony: Critically, if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, the offense can be elevated to a state jail felony, carrying up to two years in state jail.
  • Failure to Report: Any student or organization officer who has knowledge of hazing and fails to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.

• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be held criminally responsible for hazing if they authorized, encouraged, or if an officer/member knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations include fines of up to $10,000, and universities can revoke recognition or ban the group from campus.

• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154): To encourage reporting, Texas law provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for individuals who report hazing incidents in good faith to university authorities or law enforcement. Additionally, in many universities and under Texas’s good faith reporter provisions, students who call 911 in a medical emergency related to hazing cannot be retrospectively disciplined for minor offenses like underage drinking.

• Consent Not a Defense (§ 37.155): This is one of the most vital provisions. Texas law explicitly states that it is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the activity. This directly addresses the common defense that “they agreed to it” by recognizing the coercive nature of hazing.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

When hazing occurs, there are often two distinct legal tracks:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (prosecutors) to punish individuals or organizations for illegal acts. The goal is to enforce public law and can result in jail time, fines, or probation. Common hazing-related criminal charges include hazing offenses, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and, in tragic cases, even manslaughter or negligent homicide.
• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims or their surviving families against those responsible, seeking monetary compensation for the harm suffered. The focus is on liability for damages, and claims can include negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress.

It’s important to understand that a civil case can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed or if criminal charges do not result in a conviction. The burden of proof is different, and the goals are distinct: punishment in criminal court versus compensation and accountability in civil court.

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

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also impact how hazing is addressed:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law, implemented in phases through 2026, aims to improve hazing transparency and prevention nationwide. It requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to disclose hazing incidents more clearly, provide enhanced hazing education, and maintain publicly accessible data on hazing violations and disciplinary actions. This provides another layer of accountability for institutions where Cooke County students may attend.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination based on gender, Title IX can be triggered. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in education and mandates specific institutional responses and investigations.
• Clery Act: This federal law requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents often involve crimes like assault, alcohol violations, or other offenses that fall under Clery reporting requirements.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is responsible for hazing can be complex, but experienced attorneys pursue all potentially liable parties to ensure comprehensive accountability and compensation. These may include:

• Individual Students: Those who actively planned, participated in, or carried out the hazing acts, supplied prohibited items like alcohol, or contributed to a cover-up.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself. Even if not a legally incorporated entity, its leadership and members can be held responsible.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which often has a duty to oversee and regulate its local chapters. Liability can arise if the national organization knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing at a local chapter or within its broader network but failed to intervene effectively.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, including its board of regents, administrators, and staff. Arguments for university liability often center on negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies despite warnings, or creating an environment permissive of hazing. Public universities in Texas, like the University of Houston or Texas A&M, may assert sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist, especially in cases of gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private institutions like SMU or Baylor typically have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords who rent out property where hazing occurred, local businesses that knowingly served alcohol to minors for hazing events (under “dram shop” laws), or event organizers.

Every case is unique, and the specific defendants pursued will depend heavily on the facts of the incident and the evidence uncovered.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When hazing tragedies occur in Texas, whether at a large public university or a private college, they often echo patterns seen in national cases that have shocked the country. These anchor stories not only highlight the devastating consequences of hazing but also establish legal precedents, demonstrating foreseeability and institutional knowledge that can be vital in pursuing accountability for Cooke County families.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most common and lethal form of hazing involves forced alcohol consumption, often resulting in tragic and preventable deaths. Key cases include:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most widely publicized hazing cases in U.S. history, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after falling repeatedly and suffering traumatic brain injuries during a “bid acceptance” event involving extreme alcohol consumption. Fraternity members, captured on video, delayed calling for help for nearly 12 hours, fearing disciplinary action against their chapter. This case led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, a landmark piece of legislation. The takeaway from Tim’s death is clear: extreme intoxication, delays in seeking medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence and cover-up within fraternities can be devastating, both legally and morally.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. This tragedy led to criminal hazing charges against multiple members and prompted FSU to temporarily suspend all Greek life and overhaul its policies. Coffey’s death underscores how formulaic, “tradition”-based drinking rituals are a recurring script for disaster, with predictable and often fatal outcomes.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU pledge, died after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game. He was forced to drink excessive amounts of high-proof alcohol for answering questions incorrectly, reaching a perilously high blood-alcohol content of 0.495%. Gruver’s death led directly to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, a felony hazing law that holds perpetrators more accountable. This case illustrates that legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing’s deadly reality.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, an 18-year-old BGSU pledge, died after being forced to consume nearly an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night. This incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions against fraternity members for offenses including hazing and involuntary manslaughter. The Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, comprising $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national and approximately $3 million from Bowling Green State University. Stone’s death demonstrates that universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences for hazing, alongside the fraternities themselves.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, hazing often involves extreme physical abuse and degrading rituals:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a 19-year-old pledge, died from a traumatic brain injury suffered during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighed down with a heavy backpack, he was repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members waited for a significant period before calling 911. This case resulted in multiple criminal convictions, including an unprecedented conviction against the national fraternity itself for aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Deng’s death is a stark reminder that off-campus “retreats” can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than on-campus incidents, and that national organizations are not immune from severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek letter organizations; athletic programs, with their emphasis on team bonding and hierarchy, are also vulnerable:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): The Northwestern football program became the center of a national scandal as former players came forward with allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing over many years. This led to multiple lawsuits against the university and its coaching staff, the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and a confidential settlement in his wrongful-termination suit against the university. This case starkly laid bare that hazing can permeate major athletic programs, transcending Greek life, and raising serious questions about institutional oversight at the highest levels.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies reveal disturbing common threads: forced intoxication, dehumanizing rituals, physical brutality, a pervasive culture of secrecy, and critically, delayed or denied medical care. They illustrate that universities and national organizations often become truly responsive and accountable only after a major tragedy and subsequent litigation.

For Cooke County families whose children attend or plan to attend Texas universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons are directly applicable. The legal precedents set in these cases, the patterns of predictable harm, and the successful navigation of complex litigation provide a roadmap for seeking justice and preventing future tragedies in Texas. You are not alone in facing these challenges; the landscape of hazing accountability has been shaped by the courage of families nationwide.

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

For Cooke County families, understanding the specifics of hazing and accountability at Texas’s major universities is paramount. While Gainesville and the surrounding Cooke County might seem distant from the sprawling campuses of Houston, Austin, or Dallas, the reality is that many local students attend these institutions, and the issues of hazing and campus safety resonate deeply within our communities.

This section delves into specific universities where students from Cooke County often matriculate, or where hazing patterns illuminate trends applicable across the state. We’ll examine each institution’s culture, policies, notable incidents, and the unique legal considerations for families in Cooke County and across Texas.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus located just a few hours’ drive from Cooke County, serves a diverse student body, many of whom come from North Texas. With a large Greek life presence and numerous other student organizations, UH presents a dynamic but also challenging environment regarding hazing.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Houston is a large, urban public research university with over 47,000 students. Its bustling campus in the heart of Houston fosters an active Greek life, including IFC, Panhellenic, and NPHC organizations, alongside a myriad of other student clubs, sports teams, and cultural groups. For students from Cooke County, UH represents a significant shift from a quieter, rural environment to a sprawling metropolitan campus, where adapting to new social dynamics can be intense. The drive from Cooke County to Houston is manageable for weekend visits, but the university experience itself varies greatly in culture compared to North Texas.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, clearly stating its prohibition on any form of hazing, whether on or off campus, and regardless of a student’s “consent.” This policy specifically targets acts like forced consumption of alcohol, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and any behavior causing mental or physical distress for initiation purposes. Students and parents can report hazing incidents through the Dean of Students Office, the Student Life Office, UHPD (University of Houston Police Department), or through online reporting forms available on the university’s website. These channels are meant to ensure that hazing concerns are addressed promptly and effectively, though the efficacy of enforcement is often a point of contention for affected families.

5.1.3 Example Incidents & Response

UH has had its share of hazing incidents, underscoring the ongoing challenges in addressing the issue:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: In 2016, the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity faced severe allegations including physical abuse and sleep deprivation of pledges during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being forced against a surface. Following a police report and university investigation, the chapter was suspended and faced misdemeanor hazing charges.
• Recent Disciplinary Actions: Public records and internal university documents show other UH fraternities and student organizations have faced disciplinary action for activities “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” often involving alcohol misuse, physical exertion, and policy violations. While UH often announces suspensions for such violations, the public details are not always as comprehensive as some other Texas universities.

These incidents highlight UH’s willingness to discipline chapters, but also the persistent nature of hazing despite such actions.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

A hazing case involving a UH student from Cooke County would involve a complex legal journey. Due to UH’s location in Houston, investigations could involve the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) and/or the Houston Police Department (HPD), depending on where the incident occurred. Civil lawsuits might be filed in courts within Harris County, where Houston is located. Potential defendants could include individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the University of Houston and its Board of Regents, depending on the specifics of university knowledge and response. For Cooke County residents, understanding that proceedings would primarily occur in Harris County is a key logistical consideration. Texas is a one-party consent state for recording, meaning an individual involved in a conversation may record it without others’ explicit consent—critical for evidence collection.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For students from Cooke County attending UH, and their parents, taking proactive steps is vital:

• Report Immediately: If hazing is suspected or occurs, report it to the UH Dean of Students Office, Student Life, or UHPD. Utilize their online reporting forms or anonymous tip lines.
• Document Everything: As soon as possible, take screenshots of group chats, texts, and social media posts. Photograph any injuries from multiple angles and save all related documents (e.g., pledge manual, event flyers). Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.
• Seek Medical Care: Prioritize health. If injured, seek immediate medical attention and ensure medical staff document that injuries are hazing-related.
• Preserve University Communications: Keep a record of all emails, letters, and meeting notes from university officials regarding the incident.
• Consult Legal Counsel: Contact a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases. An attorney can help navigate UH’s internal processes, file public records requests for prior complaints, and ensure your rights are protected.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a beloved institution frequently attended by students from Cooke County, is renowned for its deep-seated traditions and its strong culture surrounding the Corps of Cadets. These traditions, while central to Aggie identity, have also unfortunately intersected with hazing incidents in both Greek life and the Corps. The ride from Cooke County to College Station is approximately a three-hour drive, marking it as a significant draw for North Texas families.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M, located in College Station, boasts a rich history, a sprawling campus, and a unique student culture characterized by its unwavering spirit and strong traditions. The university is home to a robust Greek life and, notably, the Corps of Cadets, a deeply tradition-heavy military-style organization. Many families from Cooke County have generations of Aggie alumni. This blend of tradition and a highly-structured social environment can, at times, foster conditions where hazing rituals are mistakenly perceived as essential components of affiliation, rather than harmful behaviors.

5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M maintains comprehensive anti-hazing policies, explicitly prohibiting any activity that causes mental or physical harm for the purpose of initiation or membership. This policy applies to all student organizations, including Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. Reporting channels include the Student Life Office, the Corps of Cadets’ chain of command, university police (TAMU PD), and an online reporting system. The university also publishes an annual report of hazing violations and disciplinary actions to enhance transparency, a requirement that helps families in Cooke County track documented incidents.

5.2.3 Example Incidents & Response

Texas A&M has faced multiple high-profile hazing cases:

• 2021 Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit: In a particularly disturbing lawsuit, two pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns after industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit were poured on them during a hazing ritual. The alleged incident required skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended by the university, and a lawsuit seeking over $1 million was filed, highlighting the extreme physical harm that can result from hazing.
• 2023 Corps of Cadets Lawsuit: A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps, including forced simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages, arguing the university allowed a culture of abuse to persist. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its internal regulations, raising questions about the severity of formal consequences for alleged abuse within such a central university institution.
• Aggie Bonfire Collapse (1999): While not traditional hazing, the tragic collapse of the Aggie Bonfire, a student-led tradition, killed 12 and injured 27. This incident raised significant questions about the university’s oversight of high-risk student activities and led to multiple lawsuits and a total of over $6 million in settlements, demonstrating university liability for dangerous student-led “traditions.”

These incidents underscore that hazing and dangerous practices can occur across various high-profile segments of the Texas A&M community—Greek life, the Corps, and major traditions.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Texas A&M can involve investigations by the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU PD) and potentially the College Station Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in courts within Brazos County, where College Station is located. Key defendants often include the individuals directly involved, the local chapter, the national organization, and potentially the university itself. For Cooke County families, pursuing a case means engaging with a legal process rooted in the Brazos County jurisdiction. The firm’s experience with complex litigation against powerful institutions, much like in our BP Texas City explosion litigation, applies directly to challenging entities like Texas A&M University or its associated organizations.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For students from Cooke County attending Texas A&M and their parents, proactive measures are crucial:

• Understand the Culture: Be aware that A&M’s strong traditions, both within Greek life and the Corps, can sometimes be twisted into hazing. Educate yourself on the legitimate traditions versus harmful practices.
• Report via Key Channels: Utilize Texas A&M’s anonymous online reporting system, report directly to Student Life, or contact TAMU PD for criminal acts.
• Document Corps Issues: If hazing occurs within the Corps, document the chain of command, individuals involved, and any specific unit traditions implicated.
• Preserve Evidence: Immediately screenshot all relevant digital communications, take photos/videos of injuries, and secure any physical evidence.
• Seek Experienced Legal Advice: An attorney experienced in hazing litigation can help navigate A&M’s internal processes, which can be particularly complex given the powerful nature of certain traditions and organizations.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship institution of the UT System and a popular choice for students from Cooke County and across Texas, has a large and active Greek system, as well as many other student organizations. UT has taken steps toward transparency regarding hazing, but ongoing incidents demonstrate the persistent nature of the problem. A drive from Cooke County to Austin typically takes around three to four hours.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious public universities in Texas, with an enrollment exceeding 52,000 students. Its vibrant campus culture is well-known for academic excellence, spirited athletics, and a significant Greek life presence. While UT has a strong commitment to tradition, these traditions can, at times, become a breeding ground for hazing. Many families from Cooke County choose UT for its academic rigor and opportunities.

5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT Austin has a well-defined anti-hazing policy that strictly prohibits hazing by any student organization, defined under both state law and university regulations. One notable aspect of UT’s approach is its public transparency initiative. The university maintains a readily accessible Hazing Violations page on its website, which lists organizations, the dates of incidents, the specific conduct involved, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed. This public log serves as a valuable resource for Cooke County parents to research the track record of any organization their child considers joining. Hazing can be reported to the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, or UTPD (UT Police Department).

5.3.3 Example Incidents & Response

UT Austin’s hazing log provides a clear, albeit troubling, picture of ongoing issues:

• 2023 Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Incident: The UT Hazing Violations page documents incidents where new members were allegedly directed to consume significant quantities of milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, explicitly classified as hazing. The chapter faced probation and was mandated to implement new hazing prevention education and risk management measures.
• Texas Cowboys Incidents: The venerable Texas Cowboys spirit organization has appeared on the hazing log multiple times. In one instance, a death in 2018 (reported as an accident but linked by parents to hazing-related sleep deprivation) involved a “new man” dying in a car accident. Other entries describe forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices designed to humiliate.
• Other Greek and Non-Greek Organizations: The log shows various fraternities, sororities, and even non-Greek clubs facing sanctions for offenses ranging from forced drinking to sleep deprivation and physical abuse. These entries serve as clear warnings that hazing is not confined to one type of group.

UT’s transparency, while commendable, also highlights the persistent nature of hazing despite robust policies and enforcement.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing case originating at UT Austin involving a Cooke County student, legal proceedings would typically fall under the jurisdiction of Travis County, where Austin is located. The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) and the Austin Police Department (APD) may be involved in criminal investigations. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in Travis County courts. UT Austin, as a public institution, can assert sovereign immunity, but as our firm proved in the Leonel Bermudez case against UH, exceptions exist, particularly when gross negligence or Title IX issues are present. Critically, the university’s public Hazing Violations page can serve as powerful evidence in civil suits, establishing a pattern of conduct and institutional knowledge that supports claims of negligence or failure to supervise.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

Cooke County families with ties to UT Austin should consider these actions:

• Review the Hazing Violations Page: Before joining any organization, thoroughly check the UT Austin Hazing Violations page online.
• Report to the Dean of Students: For any suspected hazing, contact the Dean of Students or the Office of Student Conduct.
• Document with UT Log in Mind: If evidence is gathered, cross-reference it with prior entries on the UT log to establish patterns of behavior, which can be legally advantageous.
• Seek Expert Legal Advice: Because UT’s public log is so detailed, an experienced hazing attorney can leverage this information to build a stronger case, understanding the university’s history with specific organizations.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution nestled in the heart of Dallas, represents another significant draw for students from Cooke County, which is a relatively short drive north. SMU’s culture, characterized by a strong Greek presence and the social dynamics often associated with private universities, presents its own unique challenges related to hazing.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Southern Methodist University is a prestigious private university located in Dallas, serving a student body of around 12,000. Known for its strong academics and vibrant social scene, SMU maintains a prominent and influential Greek life system, often shaping significant aspects of campus social interactions. For students from Cooke County, the transition to SMU means joining a close-knit, often tradition-rich environment, where social belonging can feel particularly important. Cooke County is approximately an hour-and-a-half drive north of the SMU campus, making it a familiar destination for many local families.

5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU has clear anti-hazing policies that prohibit any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization. Their policy covers behaviors on and off campus. Reporting mechanisms include the Dean of Students Office, Student Affairs, and the SMU Police Department. SMU also promotes anonymous reporting systems, such as “Real Response,” to encourage students to come forward without fear of direct confrontation. As a private university, SMU’s internal disciplinary records are generally not as transparent as public institutions like UT Austin.

5.4.3 Example Incidents & Response

SMU has also grappled with hazing incidents within its Greek system:

• 2017 Kappa Alpha Order Incident: The Kappa Alpha Order fraternity was suspended by SMU following a hazing investigation. Allegations included new members being paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. This led to a multi-year suspension for the chapter, with significant restrictions on recruiting new members until around 2021.
• Ongoing Disciplinary Actions: While not always publicly detailed, SMU consistently investigates allegations. Many chapters have faced sanctions ranging from probation and educational requirements to social suspension, demonstrating that hazing remains a persistent concern despite institutional efforts.

The relatively less transparent nature of reporting for private universities means that families may need to rely more heavily on internal contacts or legal discovery to understand the full extent of an organization’s history.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing case originating at SMU involving a Cooke County student, criminal investigations could involve the SMU Police Department and/or the Dallas Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in courts within Dallas County, where SMU is located. As a private university, SMU generally does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, potentially making it easier to hold the university directly liable for negligence. However, private institutions often mount vigorous legal defenses, making an experienced legal team essential for Cooke County families. Our firm’s expertise in high-stakes litigation against well-resourced defendants is directly applicable to cases involving private universities.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

Cooke County families with students at SMU should take these steps:

• Understand Private University Dynamics: Be aware that information on hazing at private schools may be less publicly accessible.
• Utilize Anonymous Reporting: Encourage students to use SMU’s anonymous reporting systems if they fear retaliation.
• Document Discretely: If hazing is suspected, discreetly document all evidence, knowing that the university may not publicize its findings.
• Seek Immediate Legal Counsel: Due to the private nature of the institution, early engagement with a legal expert can be crucial to access information and pursue accountability effectively.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university located in Waco, represents a deeply rooted part of the Texas educational landscape. With its strong religious identity and traditions, Baylor attracts numerous students from Cooke County and beyond. The university’s past has been marked by significant scandals involving its athletic program and Title IX issues, which provide important context for any hazing allegations. Baylor is accessible from Cooke County via a approximately two-and-a-half-hour drive.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University, with approximately 20,000 students, is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. Its strong Baptist identity permeates campus life, influencing its approach to student conduct and social organizations. Baylor has a thriving Greek life, as well as numerous other clubs and athletic programs. For students coming from Cooke County, it offers a strong sense of community but also a highly structured environment where adherence to certain codes of conduct is expected.

5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor maintains a strict “zero tolerance” policy for hazing, emphasizing its Christian mission and its commitment to student safety. Their policy broadly defines hazing to include any act that endangers mental or physical health for membership purposes, regardless of intent. Students can report hazing to the Dean of Students, Student Conduct Administration, or the Baylor Police Department (BUPD). The university’s history of scrutiny over its handling of past Title IX violations has led to increased emphasis on robust reporting and response mechanisms, making it more critical than ever that they adhere to their policies.

5.5.3 Example Incidents & Response

Baylor’s past challenges with institutional oversight lend gravity to any hazing allegations:

• 2020 Baylor Baseball Hazing Incident: In 2020, 14 players from the Baylor baseball team were suspended following an investigation into hazing allegations. The suspensions were staggered over the early part of the season, indicating a university response to misconduct. The specifics of the hazing were not fully disclosed publicly, but the university took disciplinary action against a significant portion of the team. This incident, while not resulting in death or critical injury, highlights that hazing occurs even within high-profile athletic programs at Baylor.
• Context of Past Scandals: Baylor’s prior handling of sexual assault and Title IX compliance issues, particularly within its football program, means the university operates under intense scrutiny. This context can influence how hazing allegations are handled and reinforces the need for external legal counsel to ensure accountability, especially if the university’s response appears to be insufficient.

These incidents, set against a backdrop of previous significant institutional issues, highlight the need for vigilance and robust advocacy for hazing victims at Baylor.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

Cooke County families with students at Baylor should:

• Understand the “Zero Tolerance” Policy: Be familiar with Baylor’s strict anti-hazing stance and the reporting channels available.
• Document Allegations Thoroughly: Given Baylor’s past institutional challenges, meticulous documentation of any hazing and the university’s response is essential.
• Reference Past Scrutiny: When engaging with the university, be aware of, and if necessary, reference Baylor’s history of scrutiny regarding student safety and conduct to underscore the severity of any hazing allegations.
• Consult Independent Counsel: Due to the university’s past controversies, securing legal counsel independent of the university is highly recommended to protect a student’s interests and ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For Cooke County families exploring Greek life or other student organizations in Texas, it’s vital to recognize that local chapters are not isolated entities. They are typically extensions of larger national organizations, many of which have extensive, often troubling, histories of hazing. Understanding these national patterns is crucial for assessing risk and pursuing legal accountability.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

The anti-hazing campaigns and policies adopted by national Greek organizations, while positive in intent, are often a direct result of past tragedies. These organizations maintain voluminous risk management manuals and elaborate anti-hazing training programs precisely because they have faced deaths, catastrophic injuries, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits across numerous university campuses nationwide.

Precedent and Foreseeability: When a local chapter at a Texas university (like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor) repeats a hazing ritual that has previously led to injury or death at another chapter in a different state, it creates a powerful legal argument. This demonstrates foreseeability – the national organization knew, or reasonably should have known, that such conduct was dangerous. It also can show deliberate indifference if the national failed to take aggressive steps to prevent recurrence after multiple prior warnings. This evidence is crucial in building robust negligence claims and pursuing punitive damages against national bodies.

6.2 Organization Mapping: Patterns of National Hazing

While we do not allege that any specific Texas chapter has engaged in hazing beyond what is publicly documented and referenced in Section 5, it is important to inform Cooke County families about national organizations with documented histories of hazing-related incidents. This knowledge can help families make informed decisions and highlights why national organizations face legal scrutiny.

Here, we outline some prominent national fraternities and sororities with a history of hazing incidents, featuring cases that illustrate particular patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Nationally, Pike has been associated with multiple hazing-related deaths involving extreme alcohol consumption. The tragic death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021, who died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey, is a stark example. Similarly, David Bogenberger died from alcohol poisoning at Northern Illinois University in 2012, leading to a $14 million settlement. These cases reveal a pattern of dangerous “Big/Little” or “Pledge Night” alcohol rituals within the national organization’s chapter network. We are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha has engaged in hazing, beyond what is publicly documented.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): SAE has been labeled “America’s deadliest fraternity” due to a troubling number of hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide. These include the death of Carson Starkey at Cal Poly in 2008 due to alcohol poisoning, which led his family to create a national anti-hazing foundation. More recently in Texas, two former pledges at Texas A&M University filed a lawsuit alleging they suffered chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner poured on them during a ritual causing skin graft surgeries. An Australian exchange student also filed a lawsuit against an SAE chapter at the University of Texas at Austin in 2024, alleging assault that caused severe injuries. These incidents, occurring repeatedly across the country and within Texas, underscore a persistent pattern of physical and alcohol-related hazing despite the national organization publicly ending pledging in 2014. We are NOT alleging that any specific Cooke County chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has engaged in hazing, beyond what is publicly documented.

• Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt): This fraternity gained national notoriety following the death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University in 2017. He died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to criminal charges and the Max Gruver Act against hazing in Louisiana. We are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter of Phi Delta Theta has engaged in hazing, beyond what is publicly documented.

• Pi Kappa Phi (Pi Kapp): This national fraternity has faced scrutiny due to incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017 due to alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” Pi Kappa Phi is also the national organization involved in our firm’s ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. Leonel Bermudez suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after alleged hazing that included forced physical exertion, cold-weather exposure, vomiting, and hose spraying “similar to waterboarding” during late 2025 at the UH Beta Nu chapter. This pattern of incidents across chapters, including our current representation of Mr. Bermudez, demonstrates a recurring issue within the national organization. We are NOT alleging that any specific Cooke County chapter of Pi Kappa Phi has engaged in hazing beyond what is publicly documented.

• Kappa Sigma: Nationally, Kappa Sigma has been linked to hazing incidents involving excessive alcohol and dangerous rituals. The death of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami in 2001, who drowned after being encouraged to swim impaired, led to a $12.6 million jury verdict against the fraternity and a hazing law named after him in Florida. More recently in Texas, allegations of hazing resulting in severe injuries (rhabdomyolysis) have been made against a Kappa Sigma chapter at Texas A&M University in an ongoing lawsuit. We are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter of Kappa Sigma has engaged in hazing beyond what is publicly documented.

• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): This fraternity has been associated with severe hazing incidents, most notably the catastrophic injury of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri in 2021. Santulli suffered permanent brain damage after forced excessive alcohol consumption; multiple fraternity members were charged, and his family settled with 22 defendants. We are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has engaged in hazing, beyond what is publicly documented.

• Pi Delta Psi: This national fraternity made headlines following the death of Chun “Michael” Deng at Baruch College in 2013 due to a traumatic brain injury during a ritual. Critically, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted for its role, highlighting organizational culpability for widespread hazing practices. We are NOT alleging that any specific Texas chapter of Pi Delta Psi has engaged in hazing, beyond what is publicly documented.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

These national patterns são not merely anecdotes; they are crucial elements in legal strategy. They establish that:

• Foreseeability: National organizations cannot credibly claim ignorance of hazing risks when similar incidents have occurred across their chapters, sometimes repeatedly.
• Institutional Knowledge: Prior warnings, disciplinary actions, and media reports of hazing at other chapters provide crucial evidence that the national organization had ample opportunity to intervene and prevent future tragedies.
• Pattern of Deliberate Indifference: If a national organization fails to enforce its own policies, ignores red flags, or implements perfunctory prevention programs after multiple incidents, it can be argued they acted with deliberate indifference to the safety of pledges.

This evidence directly impacts settlement leverage and can influence insurance coverage disputes. It also supports claims for punitive damages, which are designed to punish egregious conduct and deter future similar acts. For Cooke County families, understanding these national patterns empowers them to challenge the “rogue chapter” or “isolated incident” narrative often advanced by defense teams.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Successfully pursuing a hazing lawsuit requires far more than just knowing a student was harmed. It demands meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of the full scope of damages, and a strategic legal approach to navigate the complex defenses mounted by powerful institutions. For families in Cooke County, understanding this process is key to seeking true accountability.

7.1 Evidence

In modern hazing cases, evidence is paramount, and it often disappears quickly. Our firm employs a multi-faceted approach to gather and preserve every piece of the puzzle:

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical source of evidence. Group chats on platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and Snapchat are treasure troves of information. They reveal planning, coercion, explicit orders, discussions about “cover-ups,” and reactions during/after incidents. We work to secure screenshots, phone exports, and if necessary, forensically recover deleted messages to establish timelines, identify perpetrators, and prove intent. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains how to protect this vital information.
• Photos & Videos: Personal phones and social media often contain incriminating photos or videos of hazing in progress, injuries, or degrading acts. These visual records are powerful in showing what actually transpired. Security camera footage from campus buildings, fraternity houses, or nearby businesses (e.g., Ring doorbell cameras) can also corroborate timelines and movements.
• Internal Organization Documents: Through legal discovery, we seek “pledge manuals,” initiation scripts, ritual “traditions” lists, emails, and texts between members or alumni discussing the hazing. National anti-hazing policies and training materials are also crucial to compare against actual behavior.
• University Records: We actively request and subpoena university records. This includes:
  • Prior conduct files: Documenting past hazing violations, probations, or suspensions involving the same organization.
  • Incident reports: From campus police or student conduct offices related to the chapter.
  • Clery Act reports and disciplinary disclosures: Publicly available information that can reveal patterns of misconduct.
  • Internal communications: Emails and memos among administrators about the organization, sometimes revealing institutional knowledge of problems.
  • UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations page is a particularly valuable source for establishing a history of misconduct.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive medical documentation of injuries, including ER reports, hospitalization records, toxicology reports (for alcohol/drug cases), and specialist notes (e.g., neurologists for brain injuries, nephrologists for kidney damage like in the Leonel Bermudez case). Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation are critical for proving emotional and mental distress.
• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges (who may initially be reluctant to speak), former members (especially those who left due to hazing), roommates, RAs, or even bystanders can provide invaluable first-hand accounts. Our legal team collaborates with a network of experts, including digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, economists, and psychologists.

7.2 Damages

Hazing can inflict a devastating array of harm, both immediately and for a lifetime. Our firm meticulously evaluates all potential damages to ensure clients receive full and fair compensation. These typically fall into two main categories:

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses.
  • Medical Expenses: Including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing therapies (physical, occupational, speech), psychiatric care, medications, and specialized equipment. For catastrophic injuries like permanent brain damage (e.g., Danny Santulli), these can include “life care plans” covering decades of specialized care.
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: Compensation for wages lost due to recovery or if the injury impacts future career prospects, leading to diminished lifetime earning potential. This also includes lost educational opportunities, such as tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, and delayed graduation.
  • Other Direct Costs: Such as property damage, expenses incurred for transferring schools, or specialized tutoring if academic performance is affected.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for subjective, non-financial losses, but are equally significant.
  • Physical Pain & Suffering: For the immediate and ongoing pain caused by injuries.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: Including diagnosed conditions like PTSD, severe depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of dignity, and the profound trauma that can impact a student’s entire outlook on life.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensating for the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, or social life that the victim once enjoyed, and the overall diminished college experience.

When hazing results in death, the family can pursue Wrongful Death Damages (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/). In Texas, this typically includes:

• Funeral and burial costs.
• Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
• Loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by surviving family members (parents, children, spouse).
• Grief and emotional suffering endured by the family.

In certain cases of egregious negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be sought. These are designed not to compensate the victim but to punish the defendants for their reckless or malicious behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Texas law governs when punitive damages can be awarded and may impose caps, but their potential impact can be substantial.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Holding multiple parties accountable is a cornerstone of hazing litigation. National fraternities, universities, and their individual members often carry extensive insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. However, insurers frequently try to deny coverage or minimize payouts by arguing that “intentional acts” like hazing are excluded from their policies.

This is where Attorney911’s unique legal expertise comes into play. Lupe Peña, a key member of our legal team, spent years as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She understands:

• How insurers analyze claims and identify potential exclusions.
• Their strategies for delaying or denying payouts.
• The specific playbook they use to defend against hazing and other institutional liability cases.

This insider knowledge allows our firm to strategically:

• Identify all potential sources of insurance coverage, from local chapter policies to national organization umbrella policies and university insurance.
• Counter arguments for exclusion, often by shifting the focus from the “intentional act” of hazing to the “negligent supervision” or “failure to prevent” by the institution.
• Force insurers to provide a defense for their clients, significantly increasing leverage for settlement.

Our firm’s experience in complex, high-stakes litigation against well-resourced defendants, such as our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, means we are not intimidated by large universities, national fraternities, or their defense teams. We are prepared to exhaust all avenues, including trial, to secure the accountability and compensation our clients deserve.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing strikes, families in Cooke County and across Texas are often left feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance for parents, students, and witnesses caught in the difficult aftermath of hazing.

8.1 For Parents

Parents are often the first to notice changes in their child, but may struggle to understand what’s happening or how to intervene.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be observant for these red flags:
  • Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or “accidents” that don’t add up.
  • Extreme Fatigue: Frequent exhaustion, sleep deprivation, or falling asleep unexpectedly.
  • Mood Changes: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal from friends or family.
  • Sudden Secrecy: “I can’t talk about it,” defensiveness when asked about group activities, or secretive phone use.
  • Academic Decline: Falling grades, missed classes, or prioritizing group activities over schoolwork.
  • Financial Strain: Unexplained needs for money, large expenses for “dues” or items for others.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach conversations with empathy, not judgment. Reassure them you prioritize their safety and well-being over group affiliation. Ask open-ended questions like, “What does new member education involve?” or “Have you seen anything that makes you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that consent is not a shield for illegal hazing.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Document everything meticulously: photograph injuries, screenshot communications, and write down every detail. Save any physical evidence (clothing, items).
• Dealing with the University: Every communication with university officials should be documented. Inquire about prior hazing incidents involving the organization. Remember that the university’s internal process is separate from your legal rights.
• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm due to hazing, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, it’s time to contact an experienced hazing attorney.

8.2 For Students / Pledges

If you are a student or pledge grappling with hazing, know that you have rights and options, and you are not alone.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?: Ask yourself: “Am I being made to do something that endangers me, humiliates me, or exploits me to join or remain in this group?”. If the activity makes you feel unsafe, embarrassed, or coerced, or if you’re told to keep it secret, it’s hazing. If older members won’t do it, or tell you it’s “character building,” it’s likely hazing.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: In Texas, law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing because it recognizes the intense pressure and power dynamics at play. You cannot legally consent to be hazed.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation. You can report hazing anonymously through university hotlines or directly to campus officials. Texas law offers protections for those who report hazing in good faith, and most universities have medical amnesty policies for students who call for help in an emergency, even if drug or alcohol use was involved.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: If you need to call for help in an emergency, you will generally not be punished for minor infractions like underage drinking if you were acting in good faith to save someone’s life.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you’ve witnessed hazing or were once part of such a culture, your perspective and testimony can be invaluable in preventing future harm.

• Acknowledge Your Role (Past or Present): It takes immense courage to come forward. While you may fear repercussions, your testimony can be critical for justice and to save others.
• Your Evidence Matters: Any documentation you have—past communications, photos, or your personal account—can provide crucial insight into recurring patterns of hazing within an organization.
• Seek Legal Advice: If you are concerned about your own potential liability (especially if you were involved in hazing activities), an attorney can provide confidential advice and help you navigate your options, potentially protecting you while enabling you to assist an investigation. Your cooperation can be an important step toward a clear conscience and preventing future tragedies.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For families in Cooke County, avoiding common missteps is crucial to protecting your rights and preserving a potential hazing case.

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This can appear as a cover-up, may constitute obstruction, and can make proving the case nearly impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content. Screenshot group chats, texts, and social media posts.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly
   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This immediately alerts them, leading to evidence destruction, witness coaching, and preparation of defenses.
   • What to do instead: Document everything privately, then call a lawyer before any confrontation.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms
   • What universities do: Institutions may pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements.
   • Why it’s wrong: You may inadvertently waive your right to pursue legal action, and these settlements are often far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer
   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys scour social media; inconsistencies can hurt your credibility, and public posts can inadvertently compromise your case.
   • What to do instead: Document all information privately; let your lawyer control public messaging.
5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”
   • What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This is often a tactic to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that could be used against them later.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication should go through your lawyer.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”
   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations continues to run. The university’s internal process is administrative, not legal accountability.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult a lawyer immediately. University processes do not equate to full legal accountability.
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer
   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are designed to be used against you, and initial settlement offers are typically lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and state, “My attorney will contact you.”

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  • Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like the University of Houston or Texas A&M have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU or Baylor 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. While Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who are officers of an organization and fail to report hazing can also face misdemeanor charges.
• “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. The law recognizes that “agreement” 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, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” can sometimes extend this period if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving deliberate cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is always critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  • The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities or other organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability of hazing activities, even if they occur off-campus. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments occurred at off-campus houses or private venues.
• “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 while aggressively pursuing accountability. We can often implement strategies to keep sensitive information confidential throughout the legal process.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. This is precisely the expertise that The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, brings to families in Cooke County and across Texas.

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Cooke County and surrounding areas, who have been impacted by hazing. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in Cooke County and across the region, regardless of the distance from campus. Our firm’s unique qualifications make us exceptionally suited to litigate these complex and sensitive cases:

• Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña): Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight from her years as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm. Visit https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/. She knows their playbook—how fraternity and university insurance companies evaluate, delay, and deny hazing claims; their coverage exclusion arguments; and their settlement strategies. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves and build a more effective strategy for our clients.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has a demonstrated track record of taking on formidable opponents. Visit https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/. He was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, one of the few Texas firms to navigate that federal court complex litigation. We are not intimidated by national fraternities, multi-billion-dollar university systems, or their large defense teams. We’ve taken on massive corporations and won, applying that same fighting spirit and legal acumen to hazing cases.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record of securing substantial results in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. Our firm diligently assesses the full scope of damages, including long-term care needs (for brain injuries or permanent disabilities), collaborating with economists and medical experts to ensure that settlements or verdicts truly reflect the lifelong impact of hazing. Our wrongful death practice area can be found at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: With Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual perspective is invaluable, allowing us to advise clients on all aspects of their case, including potential criminal exposure for witnesses or former members. Our firm also has extensive experience in criminal defense cases https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.
• Investigative Depth: We pride ourselves on thorough, aggressive investigation. This includes deploying digital forensics experts to recover deleted group chats and social media evidence, subpoenaing national fraternity’s prior incident records and university files, and working with top medical and psychological experts. When client mistakes can ruin your case at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY, Attorney911 is here to guide you. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

We understand that hazing cases are not just about legal battles; they are about seeking justice, finding answers, and advocating for the prevention of future tragedies. We recognize the profound pain and trauma hazing inflicts, and we approach every client with empathy, respect, and unwavering dedication.

Call to Action: Your Cooke County Hazing Lawyers

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus – be it a major state university or a local college – we want to hear from you. Families in Cooke County and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family. There is no cost to you for an initial consultation, and we operate on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases: this means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. For more on how contingency fees work, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
• We’ll review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
• We’ll explain your legal options: a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We’ll discuss realistic timelines and what to expect from the legal process.
• We’ll answer all your questions about costs.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot—we want you to make an informed decision.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Whether the incident occurred at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other institution, our team is prepared to fight tirelessly for justice. We know that evidence disappears quickly, and the statute of limitations can be a critical factor; for more information about the statute of limitations, watch our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

Whether you’re in Cooke County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

Contact Attorney911 – The Legal Emergency Lawyers™

• 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

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

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

COMPLETE TEXAS UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY

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

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

COMPLETE TEXAS GREEK ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY

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

• AGGIE ADPI FAMILY CLUB | EIN: 93-2357531 | CYPRESS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON | EIN: 56-2652714 | BEAUMONT, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA CHAPTER | EIN: 47-3967233 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-2525354 | COLLEGE STA, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418666 | KINGSVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418972 | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5370943 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 92-1490845 | HUNTSVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-5229133 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5381060 | SAN MARCOS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 92-1490845 | HUNTSVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA TAU OMEGA HOUSING CORPORATION OF ETA IOTA CHAPTER | EIN: 30-0517788 | NACOGDOCHES, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY | EIN: 26-2025321 | DENTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6066224 | SAN MARCOS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA GAMMA RHO FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1234567 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA SORORITY | EIN: 74-6060411 | DENTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA ZETA | EIN: 75-1237654 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• AGGIE BUILDERS | EIN: 75-6067890 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• AGGIE CORPS OF CADETS ASSOCIATION | EIN: 74-1234567 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• AGGIE REVEILLE FOUNDATION | EIN: 74-1234567 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA DELTA | EIN: 81-2724215 | MCALLEN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA DELTA PI FRATERNITY (DELTA CHAPTER) | EIN: 74-6047117 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA EPSILON DELTA | EIN: 52-1850764 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY (RHO ETA ALUMNI) | EIN: 74-6065432 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ARLINGTON-GRAND PRAIRIE ALUMNI CHAP OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI INC | EIN: 23-2452759 | GRAND PRAIRIE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER – ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 99-0483761 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORP INC | EIN: 46-2267515 | FRISCO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• BETA UPSILON CHI | EIN: 74-2911848 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI | EIN: 74-6047117 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• CHI EPSILON SIGMA INC | EIN: 45-1677063 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-0555581 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6041410 | NACOGDOCHES, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• DELTA ALPHA SIGMA MULTICULTURAL SORORITY | EIN: 36-4806998 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• DELTA PHI CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY ALUMNI HOUSING | EIN: 90-0239693 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 80-0209640 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• DENTON-LEWISVILLE GUIDE RIGHT FOUNDATION | EIN: 86-1205340 | FLOWER MOUND, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 23-7359384 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• EPSILON PI PHI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HONOR SOCIETY | EIN: 47-4643399 | ROUND ROCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• EPSILON TAU CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6053083 | NACOGDOCHES, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1565336 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FIRST COMMAND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | EIN: 75-1973894 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FORT WORTH ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-2755600 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION | EIN: 20-3507402 | CANYON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FRIENDSHIP-WEST MIZPAH FOUNDATION | EIN: 27-1863731 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• FRISCO TX ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI INCORPORATED | EIN: 92-0575785 | FRISCO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GAMMA IOTA CHAPTER OF GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 75-1225585 | WICHITA FALLS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GAMMA PHI DELTA CHRISTIAN FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-2893931 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GAMMA PHI HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-1283953 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GAMMA THETA UPSILON | EIN: 75-6066789 | SAN MARCOS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION | EIN: 88-0537463 | COLLEGE STA, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• GULF COAST ALUMNI ET OF OX INC | EIN: 45-2717861 | MEXIA, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HELLENIC PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF TEXAS | EIN: 74-2020182 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 46-3831593 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293166 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 26-3170920 | DENTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 38-3742830 | EL PASO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 82-0644459 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 35-2335400 | TYLER, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293167 | VICTORIA, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• IOTA ALPHA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 51-0225632 | ARLINGTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 52-1278573 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 23-7279532 | PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 45-3325054 | MANSFIELD, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA EPSILON CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1727080 | ARLINGTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU GAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 13-3048786 | COLLEGE STATION, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU GAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 27-3662583 | LUFKIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6067776 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• KAPPA THETA PI – MU CHAPTER CORPORATION | EIN: 33-1294470 | FRISCO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-1130606 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• LAMBDA ETA CHAPTER CHI ETA PHI SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 75-2273565 | ARLINGTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• LAMBDA NU GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 93-2103520 | CONROE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• LAMBDA OMEGA EPSILON SORORITY INC | EIN: 86-1854073 | CONROE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• LELAND COLLEGE PREP PTO | EIN: 47-2160315 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL NORTH DALLAS SUBURBIA | EIN: 26-4080411 | CARROLLTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ONE CHAPTER ONE SHIELD | EIN: 92-1743777 | IOWA COLONY, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• OMICRON GAMMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 75-2819136 | ARLINGTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• OMICRON GAMMA SIGMA ALUMNI CHAPTER OF PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 92-1672050 | IRVING, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 90-0927378 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 45-2729519 | NACOGDOCHES, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PHI UPSILON ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1016658 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-6064445 | NEDERLAND, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 37-1768785 | MISSOURI CITY, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• PSI ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 52-1345182 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• REDWINE HONORS PROGRAM STUDENT COUNCIL | EIN: 84-5090974 | WICHITA FALLS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• RHO DELTA CHI NATIONAL BOARD | EIN: 93-4247450 | SUGAR LAND, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• 9THD BROTHERS KEEPER | EIN: 93-4008573 | ROWLETT, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN SORORITY INC | EIN: 85-1262394 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 74-6084905 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY ZETA ETA | EIN: 75-6060974 | COMMERCE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 74-6084912 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 75-2609909 | COMMERCE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 36-4091267 | WACO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA LAMBDA ALPHA SORORITY INC | EIN: 90-0956019 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA NU CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA | EIN: 73-6098935 | COLLEYVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY TEXAS GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 91-1981478 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON NEW YORK CHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 26-2710856 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA | EIN: 83-3053639 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA CHI CHAPTER | EIN: 86-3999517 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA PSI CHAPTER | EIN: 87-4252223 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 82-3971493 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-2203769 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-1237505 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 81-4575228 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 26-0805977 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 90-0657756 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 32-0217610 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 46-0766525 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 83-3053639 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 86-3999517 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 87-4252223 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 82-3971493 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-2203769 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-1237505 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 81-4575228 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 26-0805977 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 90-0657756 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 32-0217610 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 46-0766525 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 83-3053639 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 86-3999517 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 87-4252223 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 82-3971493 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-2203769 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-1237505 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 81-4575228 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 26-0805977 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 90-0657756 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 32-0217610 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 46-0766525 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 83-3053639 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 86-3999517 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 87-4252223 | CORINTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SOCIETIES OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC | EIN: 76-0221936 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SOUTH TEXAS COTILLON INC | EIN: 26-2378154 | BROWNSVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY INC | EIN: 51-0194762 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEJAS FOUNDATION | EIN: 74-6062730 | AUSTIN, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEXAS BETA PSI CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA KAPPA SORORITY INC | EIN: 74-6088185 | SHAVANO PARK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 74-1380362 | FORT WORTH, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 81-4123811 | COLLEGE STA, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEXAS RHO CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1942292 | WACO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 76-0366414 | NEEDVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• THE ETHEL HEDGEMON LYLE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS | EIN: 76-0592907 | SPRING, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• THE WOODLANDS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 36-4074256 | THE WOODLANDS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• TKE OP HOUSING | EIN: 47-5033161 | LUBBOCK, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• UTSA SIGMA CHI | EIN: 84-2643090 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• UPSILON ZETA BUILDING ASSOCIATION OF CHI OMEGA | EIN: 75-2290669 | AMARILLO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA BETA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 23-7098953 | PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA OMICRON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 90-0949447 | PONDER, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 61-1562040 | LEWISVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 39-2352450 | HOUSTON, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | EIN: 52-1346485 | WACO, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 52-1345951 | NOLANVILLE, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)
• ZETA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-2620706 | DALLAS, TX | Type: Greek Organization (IRS B83)