The Complete Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities: What City of Ferris Families Must Know

A Message to Ferris Parents About College Safety

Imagine this: Your child, a bright freshman at a Texas university a short drive from your home in Ferris, accepts a bid to join a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization. The promise is community, tradition, and lifelong friendship. The reality, which begins to unfold in group chats with constant demands and veiled threats, becomes something far darker. It’s “pledge education” that involves forced drinking until vomiting, sleep deprivation during midterms, or being paddled with wooden boards “for brotherhood.” One night, after an event labeled “optional,” they return home with unexplained injuries or don’t return at all. Your calls go unanswered for hours. When you finally reach them, they’re in a hospital bed in Dallas or Waco—diagnosed with alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis, or worse—too afraid to tell you everything that happened, whispering about “not getting the chapter in trouble.”

This nightmare scenario is unfolding right now in Texas. We know because we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the state.

Our Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations in this ongoing $10 million lawsuit, detailed in multiple investigative reports including those from Click2Houston and ABC13, reveal what modern hazing truly looks like:

Humiliation as Policy: Pledges were forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and other degrading items.
Systematic Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and “save-your-brother” drills at Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by more sprints.
The November 3 Workout: Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, leaving him unable to stand without help.
Medical Catastrophe: He developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization. Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming permanent kidney damage risk.
Full Institutional Accountability: Our lawsuit names 13 individual fraternity leaders, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

The chapter was suspended by nationals on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion. This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a pattern that affects families across Texas, including here in Ferris and throughout Ellis County.

This Guide Is For You, Ferris Families

This comprehensive guide exists for parents and students in Ferris, Waxahachie, Ennis, and across Ellis County who need to understand the realities of campus hazing in 2025. Whether your child attends a university in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro just north of us, or any Texas campus, this information could save their life. We’ll explain:

What hazing really looks like today (beyond the stereotypes)
Texas law and your family’s rights
National cases that set precedents for Texas families
What’s happening at major Texas universities, including those your Ferris student likely attends
How fraternity and sorority national histories create predictable dangers
What to do if your child is being hazed
Why experienced legal representation matters against powerful institutions

If you’re in crisis right now: Call 911 for medical emergencies, then call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We preserve evidence and protect rights when minutes matter.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Beyond “Harmless Tradition”

For families in Ferris where community values run deep, it’s crucial to understand that what organizations call “tradition” or “bonding” often crosses into illegal hazing. Modern hazing isn’t just about silly pranks—it’s about power, control, and systematic abuse that adapts to avoid detection.

The Three Tiers of Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The Gateway)
These behaviors establish power imbalance and normalize control:

Digital Control: Mandatory 24/7 group chat monitoring (GroupMe, WhatsApp), requiring instant responses at all hours. Location sharing via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps.
Servitude Requirements: Acting as constant designated drivers, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands, being “on call” for older members.
Social Isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize outside the organization.
Deception Oaths: “What happens here stays here” mentality, coaching on what to tell parents and university officials.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Psychological Warfare)
These cause measurable harm but may not leave physical scars:

Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM wake-up calls, overnight “study sessions,” multi-day events with minimal rest during exam weeks.
Food/Water Manipulation: Forced consumption of disgusting combinations (milk with hot sauce, raw eggs), withholding meals as punishment.
Public Humiliation: Forced embarrassing performances in public, wearing degrading costumes or signs, “roasting” sessions where pledges are verbally torn down.
“Voluntary” Coercion: Framing dangerous activities as “optional” while making clear refusal means social exclusion or denial of “big brother/sister” status.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (Criminal Conduct)
These activities have high potential for death or permanent injury:

Forced Alcohol Consumption: The #1 killer in hazing. “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” drinking games where wrong answers mean drinking, lineups where pledges chug until unconscious.
Physical Beatings: Paddling (still prevalent despite national bans), “wall sits” or “smokings” until collapse, blindfolded “trust” exercises that are actually tackles.
Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), coerced sexual activity, recording compromising content.
Dangerous “Tests”: “Glass ceiling” rituals (blindfolded tackles), swimming while intoxicated, kidnapping and abandonment.
Chemical Hazing: Texas A&M saw pledges doused with industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing permeates:

Corps of Cadets and military-style programs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit organizations (Texas Cowboys, Angels, etc.)
Marching bands and performance groups
Academic honor societies and service organizations
Cultural and religious organizations

For Ferris families with students at any Texas campus, understanding that hazing isn’t limited to “fraternity parties” is crucial. The common thread is power imbalance, secrecy, and tradition used to justify abuse.

Texas Hazing Law: What Ferris Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that protect your child. Here’s what matters for Ferris families:

Definition (Section 37.151):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization.

Key Points for Parents:

Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at an off-campus Airbnb, retreat, or private house is still hazing under Texas law.
Mental Health Counts: Extreme humiliation, sleep deprivation, and psychological torment qualify alongside physical abuse.
“Reckless” Is Enough: They don’t need malicious intent—knowing the risk and proceeding anyway satisfies the law.

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional Crimes: Failing to report hazing, retaliating against reporters

The Consent Myth (Section 37.155): Texas Law Is Clear
“Consent is not a defense” are the five most important words for hazing victims. Even if your child “agreed” or “wanted to prove themselves,” Texas law recognizes that power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion negate true consent. This directly rebuts what fraternities and universities often claim.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases (The State’s Role):

Prosecuted by district attorneys
Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Charges can include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter
Limitation: Criminal cases don’t compensate your family for medical bills, trauma, or lost education

Civil Cases (Your Family’s Right):

Filed by victims or surviving families
Goal: Compensation and accountability
Damages can cover: medical expenses, future care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death
Critical Advantage: Civil discovery can uncover hidden evidence, prior incidents, and institutional knowledge that criminal cases might miss

These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction helps but isn’t required for civil success. Many of the largest hazing settlements occur through civil litigation while criminal cases proceed.

Federal Law Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act & Title IX

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents
Mandates hazing prevention education
Phased implementation through 2026
For Ferris Families: More transparency about which organizations have violations

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain campus crimes
Important: Universities that ignore known hazing patterns may face federal investigations

Who Can Be Held Liable in Texas Hazing Cases?

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or covered them up
Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority as an entity (if incorporated)
National Headquarters: Organizations that collect dues, set policies, and supervise chapters
Universities: When they knew or should have known about dangers and failed to act
Housing Corporations: Entities that own chapter houses and permit dangerous activities
Third Parties: Bars that over-serve, landlords who ignore illegal activities

In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing all potentially liable entities because accountability requires leaving no stone unturned.

National Hazing Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

Alcohol Poisoning: The Deadliest Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021):

Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 Million Settlement: $7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from university
Takeaway for Ferris Families: The same national fraternity operates at Texas campuses

Max Gruver – LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017):

“Bible study” drinking game: wrong answers = forced drinking
Died with 0.495% BAC (six times legal limit)
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act: Created felony hazing statute
Takeaway: Drinking games disguised as “education” are lethal

Andrew Coffey – Florida State (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017):

Our client’s same national fraternity
“Big Brother Night” with handles of hard liquor
Death led to FSU’s temporary Greek life suspension

Physical & Ritualized Violence

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (Pi Delta Psi, 2013):

Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
Died from traumatic brain injury; help delayed
National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” are hazing hot zones

Danny Santulli – Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021):

Forced drinking during “pledge dad reveal”
Permanent catastrophic brain injury: Cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care
Settlements with 22 defendants
Takeaway: Non-fatal injuries can be more devastating than death

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Sexualized and racist hazing over multiple years
Head coach fired, confidential settlements
Takeaway: Hazing isn’t just Greek life; athletic programs have similar power dynamics

What These Cases Mean for Ferris Families

Patterns Are Predictable: The same scripts (Big/Little nights, drinking games, physical “tests”) repeat across campuses
National Organizations Know: They’ve paid millions in settlements yet dangerous traditions persist
Universities Often Fail: Despite policies, enforcement is inconsistent
Justice Through Litigation: Most major reforms follow lawsuits, not internal university processes

When your Ferris student faces hazing at a Texas campus, they’re experiencing variations of the same patterns that have killed and injured students nationwide. This pattern evidence strengthens legal claims by showing foreseeability.

Texas University Focus: Where Ferris Students Attend

Understanding the specific landscape at universities where Ellis County students enroll is crucial. While many Ferris families send students to schools in the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth metro, others choose campuses across Texas.

Southern Methodist University (SMU): The Closest Major Greek Life Campus

For Ferris Families: Located just 45 miles north in University Park, SMU is the closest major Greek life university to Ellis County. Many Ferris and Waxahachie students commute or reside on campus here.

Campus Culture: SMU represents affluent Dallas Greek life with approximately 35% of undergraduates in fraternities/sororities. The university has faced significant hazing incidents requiring stronger oversight.

Documented Incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
Multiple Chapter Suspensions: SMU has suspended several chapters for hazing violations involving alcohol coercion, physical abuse, and humiliation rituals.
Transparency Challenge: As a private university, SMU has less public reporting requirement than public institutions, making internal investigations critical.

SMU’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Prohibits hazing on and off campus
Reporting through Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct
Anonymous reporting via Real Response system
Critical Gap: Limited public disclosure of violations compared to UT Austin

How SMU Cases Proceed:

Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts, University Park Police Department
Potential Defendants: Individual students, local chapters, national organizations, SMU
Special Consideration: SMU’s private status affects sovereign immunity arguments

What SMU Students & Ferris Parents Should Do:

Document Everything: SMU’s Greek life is tightly networked; evidence crosses organizations
Request Internal Records: Through attorney, obtain prior conduct files for the organization
Prepare for “Tradition” Defense: SMU organizations often claim “long-standing tradition”
Act Quickly: Evidence disappears as Dallas Greek community closes ranks

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

For Ferris Families: Many high-achieving Ellis County students attend UT Austin, approximately 200 miles south. UT’s sheer size (50,000+ undergraduates) means more organizations and more incidents.

UT’s Transparency Advantage: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, conduct, and sanctions—one of the most transparent in Texas.

Recent Documented Violations:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization): Multiple violations for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Ongoing scrutiny with prior suspensions for hazing incidents.
Multiple Organizations: Annual sanctions for alcohol coercion, physical endurance tests, humiliation rituals.

UT’s Response Framework:

UTPD and Austin PD coordinate based on location
Student Conduct Office investigates with varying rigor
Pattern: Repeated violations often result in probation rather than expulsion

Strategic Insight for UT Cases:

Prior Violations Are Gold: UT’s public log provides ready evidence of organizational patterns
Austin Venue: Travis County courts and juries have awarded significant verdicts in injury cases
Discovery Depth: UT’s size means more internal documents, emails, and witness potential

Texas A&M University

For Ferris Families: Texas A&M in College Station attracts many Ellis County students, particularly those interested in engineering, agriculture, or the Corps of Cadets.

Unique Risk Environments:

Corps of Cadets Culture:
- 2023 lawsuit alleged cadet was bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
- Simulated sexual acts, degradation, physical punishment
- A&M claimed handled internally; case sought over $1 million
Greek Life Incidents:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges doused with industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended; $1 million lawsuit.
- Multiple fraternities on probation for alcohol hazing, physical abuse

A&M’s Dual Systems:

Regular Student Conduct process for Greek life
Separate Corps disciplinary system with military-style procedures
Challenge: Internal handling often prioritizes tradition over accountability

Strategic Considerations:

Brazos County Venue: College Station juries include many connected to A&M
Sovereign Immunity: As public university, A&M has some protection but exceptions exist
Corps Cases: Unique military-style hierarchy affects coercion arguments

Baylor University

For Ferris Families: Baylor’s Christian identity attracts some Ellis County families, but its history with institutional scandal affects hazing response.

Documented Incidents:

Baseball Team Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Multiple Greek Life Investigations: Baylor has suspended chapters for alcohol hazing, physical intimidation
Title IX Context: Baylor’s sexual assault scandal revealed institutional cover-up patterns that may parallel hazing response

Baylor’s Unique Challenges:

Religious branding creates “moral community” narrative
Private university status affects transparency
Waco venue (McLennan County) has its own dynamics

University of Houston (Our Active Case)

For Ferris Families: While farther from Ellis County, UH’s size and our active litigation make it particularly relevant for understanding institutional response.

Our UH Pi Kappa Phi Case Reveals:

Systemic Failure: Despite policies, extreme hazing continued for weeks
Multiple Liability Layers: Individuals, local chapter, housing corporation, nationals, university
Medical Documentation Critical: Hospital records proving rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury
Digital Evidence: Group chats showing planning, intimidation, cover-up attempts

UH’s Response Pattern:

Initial “deeply disturbing” statement
Cooperation with law enforcement promised
Disciplinary actions against individuals
Gap: No systemic reform announced despite catastrophic injury

Harris County Legal Advantages:

Houston courts handle complex litigation regularly
Medical center expertise benefits injury claims
Our firm’s deep Houston roots provide venue familiarity

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter for Ferris Families

Why National Patterns Predict Local Danger

When your Ferris student joins a chapter at SMU, UT, A&M, or any Texas campus, they’re joining an organization with a national history that predicts local risk. National headquarters know their dangerous traditions because they’ve paid for them in lawsuits nationwide.

High-Risk Organizations with Texas Presence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple Texas Campuses:

National History: Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement), multiple alcohol hazing deaths
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT, A&M, Texas Tech, others
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol nights, forced consumption rituals
Liability Insight: Nationals have paid millions yet similar incidents continue

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Texas Troubles:

National History: Multiple deaths nationwide, eliminated pledge system in 2014 due to pattern
Texas Incidents:
- A&M chemical burns case ($1M lawsuit)
- UT assault allegations
- Multiple chapter suspensions across Texas
Pattern: Physical abuse combined with alcohol coercion

Phi Delta Theta – Gruver Legacy:

National History: Max Gruver death led to Louisiana felony hazing law
Texas Presence: Multiple campuses
Pattern: “Bible study” and quiz drinking games

Pi Kappa Phi – Our UH Case Fraternity:

National History: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Our Case Evidence: Same patterns: forced drinking, physical endurance tests, humiliation
Critical Point: Nationals knew the dangers from Florida yet failed to prevent Texas tragedy

Kappa Alpha Order – SMU Suspension:

SMU History: 2017 suspension for paddling, forced drinking
National Pattern: Tradition-focused organization with recurring physical hazing incidents

How National History Strengthens Your Texas Case

Foreseeability: Proving nationals knew or should have known about dangers based on other chapter incidents
Pattern Evidence: Showing the same “traditions” travel between campuses
Punitive Damages: Repeated warnings ignored can justify punishment beyond compensation
Insurance Coverage: Nationals’ knowledge affects whether insurance must cover claims

For Ferris families, this means: The organization your child joined at a Texas campus likely has a documented history of the same behaviors that harmed them. This isn’t coincidence—it’s predictable pattern.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Evidence Collection: The 48-Hour Critical Window

Digital Evidence (Most Critical):

Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord. Screenshot entire threads with timestamps visible.
Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok posts showing events or injuries
Location Data: Find My Friends logs, Snapchat Maps, Uber/Lyft receipts
Deleted Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
Our Video Guide: We explain evidence preservation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Medical Documentation:

ER/Hospital Records: Must include “hazing” or “forced” context in narrative
Lab Results: Blood alcohol, creatine kinase (rhabdomyolysis), kidney function
Psychological Evaluation: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses from hazing trauma
Photographs: Injuries from multiple angles with scale reference

Institutional Records:

University Files: Prior conduct violations, warning letters, probation records
National Fraternity Records: Incident reports from other chapters, risk management files
Insurance Policies: Coverage details for chapter, nationals, university

Witness Identification:

Other pledges (often afraid but may cooperate later)
Former members who quit due to hazing
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Emergency responders, hospital staff

Case Strategy: Overcoming Institutional Defenses

Defense 1: “They Consented”

Our Response: Texas law §37.155: “Consent is not a defense”
Evidence: Group chat pressure, power imbalance, fear of exclusion

Defense 2: “Rogue Individuals, Not the Organization”

Our Response: Pattern evidence across chapters, national knowledge, inadequate supervision
Evidence: Prior incidents, nationals’ training materials, recurring “traditions”

Defense 3: “Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”

Our Response: Foreseeability, sponsorship, control through members
Evidence: Organization planned event, supplied alcohol, senior members present

Defense 4: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: Paper policies vs. enforcement reality
Evidence: Prior violations with minimal consequences, training as checkbox exercise

Defense 5: “University Sovereign Immunity”

Our Response: Gross negligence exceptions, individual employee liability
Strategy: Sue individuals in personal capacity, argue ministerial duty failures

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost educational costs (withdrawal, transfer expenses)
Lost earning capacity (for permanent injuries)
Therapy and rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, guidance
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Deter future hazing
Available when defendants knew dangers and proceeded anyway

In our experience, proper valuation requires economists, life care planners, and vocational experts—especially for catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury or permanent organ damage.

Practical Guides for Ferris Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Response

Warning Signs Your Ferris Student Is Being Hazed:

Physical Indicators:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight changes
Chemical burns or unexplained rashes
Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if they don’t normally drink)

Behavioral Changes:

New secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone anxiety (checking group chats)
Financial strain from unexplained expenses

Academic Red Flags:

Grades plummeting suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Losing scholarships or academic standing

48-Hour Action Plan for Parents:

Hour 1-6 (Crisis Response):
✅ Get medical attention immediately (even over their objections)
✅ Preserve visible evidence: photograph injuries, screenshot messages they show you
✅ Write detailed notes: who, what, when, where while memory fresh
✅ Call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

Hour 6-24 (Evidence Lockdown):
✅ Help them preserve ALL digital evidence (don’t delete anything)
✅ Secure physical evidence: clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
✅ Document witness names and contact information
✅ Request medical records specifying “hazing” or “forced” context

Hour 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):
✅ Consult with experienced hazing attorney (that’s us)
✅ Decide reporting strategy: campus police, local police, university
✅ Refer all institutional contacts to your attorney
✅ Create backup of all evidence (cloud storage, email to yourself)

Critical Mistakes to Avoid:

Letting them delete evidence “to avoid trouble” – this looks like cover-up
Confronting the organization directly – they’ll lawyer up and destroy evidence
Signing university “resolution” forms – often waive legal rights for minimal settlements
Posting on social media – defense attorneys monitor everything
Waiting for “internal investigation” – evidence disappears, witnesses graduate
Talking to insurance adjusters – recorded statements used against you

For Students: Safety & Self-Advocacy

Is This Hazing? Self-Assessment:

Are you being pressured or coerced?
Would you do this if there were no social consequences?
Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Are you told to keep secrets from parents/university?
Do older members make you do things they don’t do themselves?

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

Call 911 or campus police
Get to a safe location (dorm, friend’s place, public area)
You won’t get in trouble for seeking help in medical emergency (Texas has protections)

Safe Exit Strategies:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” – that’s where pressure intensifies
If threatened, report immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Evidence Preservation for Students:

Screenshot ALL group chats (full threads with timestamps)
Voice record meetings (Texas is one-party consent state)
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save everything digital – don’t delete even if embarrassed
Tell medical providers exactly what happened: “I was forced to drink by my fraternity”

For Witnesses & Former Members

If You Participated and Regret It:

Your testimony can prevent future harm
You may need your own attorney (we can refer you)
Cooperation can mitigate your own legal exposure
Coming forward is morally right and legally strategic

If You Witnessed Hazing:

Document what you saw immediately (dated notes)
Preserve any evidence you have (photos, messages)
Consider anonymous reporting if you fear retaliation
Know that bystander inaction has legal and moral consequences

Protections Available:

Texas reporter immunity for good-faith reporting
University non-retaliation policies (enforceable through litigation)
Witness protection through legal proceedings

Frequently Asked Questions for Ferris Families

Q: Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?
A: Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UT, A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity with exceptions for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for analysis.

Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?
A: It can be. Basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, but causing serious bodily injury or death makes it a state jail felony. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

Q: What if my child “agreed” to the initiation?
A: Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states “consent is not a defense.” Courts recognize that power imbalance and peer pressure negate true consent.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately known. Time is critical—evidence disappears fast.

Q: What if it happened off-campus?
A: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability.

Q: Will this be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?
A: Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability. We can request sealed records and confidential terms.

Q: How much does legal representation cost?
A: We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover for you. Watch our fee explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Q: What if the organization has “good lawyers” and insurance?
A: We’re former insurance defense attorneys. We know their playbook because we used to run it. Our experience includes taking on BP in the Texas City explosion litigation—we’re not intimidated by institutional defendants.

Why Attorney911 for Ferris Hazing Cases

Texas-Based, Nationally Relevant Experience

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Ferris, Waxahachie, Ennis, and across Ellis County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities—whether at nearby SMU or campuses across the state—requires specialized knowledge of both Texas law and institutional defense tactics.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

Former insurance defense attorney at national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims
Understands their valuation formulas, delay tactics, coverage arguments
“We know their playbook because we used to run it”

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Dual Civil/Criminal Expertise:

Ralph’s HCCLA membership signals elite criminal defense capability
We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence from universities and nationals
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Our Approach: Thorough, Strategic, Empathetic

Immediate Response: Evidence preservation within first 48 hours
Comprehensive Investigation: Leaving no stone unturned in institutional records
Expert Collaboration: Medical, economic, and forensic specialists from day one
Strategic Pressure: Using discovery to uncover what institutions want hidden
Trial Readiness: Settlement leverage comes from genuine willingness to try cases

We’ve recovered millions for injured Texans in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We apply the same rigor to hazing litigation because the stakes—young lives, permanent injuries, institutional accountability—demand nothing less.

Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation

If Hazing Has Touched Your Family in Ferris

Whether your student attends a university in the Dallas metro, across Texas, or anywhere in the United States, we can help. Our Texas-based expertise serves families nationwide through consultation and strategic partnerships.

Your Free, Confidential Consultation Includes:

Listening to your story without judgment
Reviewing evidence you’ve preserved
Explaining legal options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discussing realistic timelines and expectations
Answering questions about costs (contingency fee—no recovery, no fee)
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide
Complete confidentiality

Contact Us Today:

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

Spanish Language Services:

Hablamos Español
Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com
Consultas confidenciales en español disponibles

For Ferris and Ellis County Families:
You don’t have to face institutional hazing alone. Whether the incident occurred at a nearby DFW campus or anywhere in Texas, we have the expertise, resources, and determination to pursue accountability. Call us today—we’ll listen, we’ll explain, and we’ll help you decide the best path forward for your family.

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 specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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 for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
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