Hazing in the Texas Panhandle: A Guide for Briscoe County Families

Imagine a crisp autumn evening in the Texas Panhandle, the kind where the vast skies stretch endlessly, and the distant lights of Silverton twinkle. A Briscoe County student, away at a Texas university, is miles from home, deep into “new member education” at an off-campus house near campus. Pledges are lined up, forced to chug handles of liquor, or endure humiliating physical challenges. The air is thick with anticipation and fear. Phones are out, recording, but not for help—they’re for blackmail or to fuel social media dares. Suddenly, a student collapses, their breathing shallow. Panic flickers, but no one wants to call 911, fearing the organization will be shut down. The student is left alone, their fate hanging in the balance, while whispers of “what happens here stays here” fill the air.

This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. It’s a reality that unfolded shockingly close to home with the Leonel Bermudez case at the University of Houston in late 2025 – a case The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 is actively litigating. This dangerous pattern echoes through campuses across Texas, including where many children from Briscoe County pursue their higher education. Whether your student attends Texas Tech University in Lubbock, the University of North Texas in Denton, or major universities in Houston, College Station, or Austin, the threat of hazing is real and ever-present.

This guide is for you, families in Briscoe County and throughout the Texas Panhandle. We aim to offer a comprehensive look at hazing and the law in Texas, helping you understand:

• What modern hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond traditional stereotypes.
• The specifics of Texas and federal hazing laws and how they apply to your family.
• Critical lessons from major national hazing cases, and how these inform incidents in Texas.
• What has been happening at prominent Texas universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor.
• The legal recourse available to victims and their families in Briscoe County and across Texas.

Though this article provides general information and not specific legal advice, Attorney911 is here to evaluate individual cases based on their unique facts. We serve families throughout Texas, with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscapes, cultural nuances, and consumer behavior specific to Briscoe County and the wider Texas community.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

  • Call 911 for medical emergencies
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
  • We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

• In the first 48 hours:

  • Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
    • Post details on public social media
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

  • Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
  • Universities move quickly to control the narrative
  • We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

HAZING IN 2025: WHAT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE

For Briscoe County families, understanding hazing today means looking beyond the stereotypical scenes from movies. Modern hazing operates in plain sight and in hidden digital spaces, often disguised as “tradition” or “bonding,” but always rooted in power, coercion, and abuse. Hazing isn’t just a dumb prank; it’s a dangerous practice with severe consequences that can endanger physical or mental health, humiliate, or exploit students. “I agreed to it” is rarely a valid defense when peer pressure and power imbalances are at play.

Main Categories of Hazing

The forms of hazing have evolved, but their destructive core remains. Hazing typically falls into several main categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is one of the most common and deadliest forms. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often through elaborate “games,” chugging contests, “lineups,” or rituals where new members must consume excessive amounts of alcohol. This can extend to pressuring students to consume unknown or mixed substances, potentially leading to alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis, or worse. The Leonel Bermudez case at the University of Houston in 2025 illustrates this tragic reality, with forced consumption leading to life-threatening medical conditions.

• Physical Hazing: Beyond simple roughhousing, physical hazing includes actions like paddling and beatings, extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond athletic training, and forced exercises. It also encompasses severe sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, and exposure to extreme environmental conditions (cold, heat) or dangerous situations. These acts often result in physical injuries that can range from bruises and burns to organ damage, as seen in cases where pledges suffered a lacerated spleen or chemical burns.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This deeply damaging category involves forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, or degrading costumes. It often includes acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones, slurs, or forced role-playing that targets specific identities. The psychological scars from such abuse can be long-lasting.

• Psychological Hazing: This often insidiously strips a student’s self-esteem. It includes verbal abuse, threats, and deliberate social isolation. Manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming campaigns—whether in-person or online—are common tactics that inflict mental distress and anxiety.

• Digital/Online Hazing: The rise of social media and communication apps has opened new avenues for hazing. This can involve constant monitoring in group chats, humiliating dares on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, and pressure to create or share compromising images or videos. Cyberstalking and constant demands for instant responses can cause immense anxiety and disrupt a student’s academic and personal life.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not exclusive to fraternities and sororities, and it certainly transcends the boundaries of the Greek system. While Greek life remains a prominent area where hazing occurs, other university organizations are also susceptible:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These organizations, steeped in tradition and hierarchy, have also seen incidents of hazing, often framed as “discipline” or “training.” Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, for example, has a storied history and, unfortunately, has been associated with hazing allegations.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin, or various spirit and tradition-based clubs, have faced sanctions for hazing violations involving forced workouts, alcohol misuse, or punitive practices.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheerleading, and even club sports, team hazing can involve extreme physical challenges, forced drinking, and abuse that fosters loyalty through pain. The Northwestern University hazing scandal in 2023–2025 highlighted how deeply entrenched hazing can be in major collegiate athletic programs.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups can harbor hazing practices. The tragic death of Robert Champion at Florida A&M in 2011, following brutal hazing in the marching band, demonstrated this stark reality.

Ultimately, social status, the allure of tradition, and an enforced culture of secrecy allow these harmful practices to persist. Even when students, parents, and administrators are aware that hazing is illegal and dangerous, the pressure to conform, to “earn” a place, and to protect the group often outweighs personal safety or ethical considerations. This is why it’s so critical for families in Briscoe County to understand the nuanced dynamics of modern hazing.

LAW & LIABILITY FRAMEWORK (TEXAS + FEDERAL)

Navigating the legal aftermath of hazing can be complex, but Texas law provides a robust framework to address these egregious acts. For families in Briscoe County, understanding their rights and the legal tools available is the first step toward seeking justice.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear statutory provisions against hazing, primarily outlined in the Texas Education Code. In plain terms, hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed on or off campus, by a person acting alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

This definition is crucial because:

• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing can occur anywhere, whether on university grounds or at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or remote location.
• Harm can be mental or physical: The law recognizes both the physical dangers and the severe psychological toll hazing can take.
• Intent: The act doesn’t have to be malicious. If the perpetrator acted “recklessly”—meaning they knew the risk of harm but disregarded it—that’s enough.
• “Consent” is not a defense: This is a critical point. Even if a student appears to “agree” to participate, the law often views this as coerced given the inherent power imbalance and peer pressure within initiation rituals.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing
Texas law outlines specific penalties for hazing:

• A typical hazing offense is a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• If the hazing causes bodily injury, it escalates to a Class A Misdemeanor.
• Most severely, if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it is classified as a State Jail Felony, carrying a potential prison sentence.

Beyond direct hazing, Texas law also addresses related offenses:

• Failing to report hazing: If an officer or member of an organization knows about hazing and fails to report it, they can face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation: Any act of retaliation against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Organizational Liability
Organizations themselves can be held criminally liable if they:

• Authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Had an officer or member, acting in their official capacity, who knew about the hazing and failed to report it.
  Penalties for organizations can include fines of up to $10,000 per violation and revocation of university recognition.

Reporter Protections
An individual who reports hazing in good faith to university authorities or law enforcement is generally immune from civil or criminal liability related to that report. This encourages bystanders or victims to come forward without fear of legal repercussions. Additionally, “Save a Life” or medical amnesty policies often protect students who call 911 for an intoxicated person, even if they’re underage or were involved in drinking.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for Briscoe County families to understand the two distinct legal avenues for hazing:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (prosecutors such as the Briscoe County District Attorney’s office) to punish offenders for breaking the law. Penalties focus on jail time, fines, and probation. In hazing, criminal charges might include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal incidents. The burden of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims or their surviving family members (or in Briscoe County, often transferred to a Personal Injury lawyer in a major city like Houston or Austin) to seek financial compensation and hold responsible parties accountable. Civil claims typically focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, or premises liability. The burden of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” which is lower than in criminal cases.

Critically, criminal and civil cases can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for a successful civil lawsuit.

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

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also play a role in addressing hazing:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark legislation, phased in by 2026, mandates that any college receiving federal aid must:

  • Increase transparency by publicly reporting hazing incidents.
  • Enhance hazing education and prevention efforts.
  • Maintain and publish comprehensive hazing data.
    This act aims to provide families with more information and holds institutions more accountable.

• Title IX & Clery Act: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, it triggers Title IX obligations, requiring the university to investigate and respond. The Clery Act requires colleges to disclose campus crime statistics, and hazing incidents often overlap with categories like assault or alcohol/drug violations, necessitating their inclusion in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

When hazing leads to injury or death, multiple parties can be held accountable in a civil lawsuit:

• Individual Students: Those who directly participated in, planned, or facilitated the hazing acts, including those who supplied alcohol or engaged in physical abuse. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH, for instance, names 13 individual fraternity leaders and members as defendants.

• Local Chapter / Organization: The fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself. Even if incorporated, the local entity can be sued, especially if its officers were involved or aware.

• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters can be held liable if there’s evidence they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing within their organization, or if they failed to adequately train, supervise, or discipline local chapters. Many major hazing settlements involve the national organization paying significant damages.

• University or Governing Board: Colleges and universities can be liable through various legal theories, including negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or creating a dangerous environment. Public universities in Texas, like UH, Texas A&M, and UT, often claim sovereign immunity (protection from lawsuits), but there are exceptions for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or specific federal claims like Title IX violations. Private institutions like SMU and Baylor typically have fewer immunity protections.

• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of off-campus houses or venues where hazing occurred, or even bars and alcohol providers if they unlawfully served alcohol that contributed to the incident (under “dram shop” laws).

Each case is unique, and liability depends entirely on the specific facts and available evidence. What is clear is that Texas law provides avenues for justice, and an experienced legal team can identify all potentially liable parties.

NATIONAL HAZING CASE PATTERNS (ANCHOR STORIES)

While specific incidents impact families in Briscoe County directly, major national hazing cases set crucial precedents, revealing common patterns and underscoring the severe stakes involved. These stories, though from outside Texas, are vital for understanding the legal landscape and the potential for accountability right here in our state.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The overwhelming majority of hazing fatalities involve forced or excessive alcohol consumption. These tragedies highlight a dangerous script that repeats across campuses:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Tim Piazza’s tragic death galvanized national attention. During a “bid acceptance” event, Piazza was forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol. He suffered multiple falls, primarily down a flight of stairs, due to extreme intoxication. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours, despite his obvious and severe injuries. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event. This case led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, significant civil litigation, and the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. For Texas families, this case is a stark reminder of the deadly combination of extreme intoxication, delayed medical help, and a culture of silence that legally devastates victims and their families.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a freshman 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. His death triggered criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members and led to Florida State University temporarily suspending all Greek life. The Coffey family’s wrongful death suit underscores how ritualized drinking nights are a recurring and deadly pattern in hazing.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.495% after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers led to forced drinking. His death led to criminal charges against fraternity members, with one convicted of negligent homicide. More importantly for Texas, his death inspired Louisiana to enact the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law. This demonstrates how public outrage and clear evidence of hazing can drive significant legislative change, potentially influencing how Texas courts interpret and apply our own hazing statutes.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, an 18-year-old pledge, was forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey in 20 minutes during a “Big/Little” reveal night. He died from alcohol poisoning. This incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions, and Bowling Green State University (a public institution) eventually agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the family, in addition to significant settlements from the fraternity and individuals. The Foltz case highlights that universities, even public ones, can face substantial financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities, proving accountability is possible even with sovereign immunity defenses.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, hazing often involves brutal physical and ritualized abuse that can be just as deadly:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a freshman pledge, died after participating in a violent blindfolded ritual called “the glass ceiling” during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He was repeatedly body-slammed, suffering a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for an hour, attempting a cover-up. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a landmark case. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and fined over $110,000. This case is crucial for Texas families, showing that off-campus “retreats” are not safe havens and that national organizations bear significant responsibility for the actions of their chapters.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek letters; it permeates various student organizations, including high-profile athletic programs:

• Northwestern University Football Hazing Scandal (2023–2025): Former Northwestern football players came forward with allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program stretching back years. This led to multiple lawsuits against the university and coaching staff, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially with the university). This scandal vividly illustrates that hazing extends far beyond Greek life, impacting major athletic programs and raising critical questions about institutional oversight and responsibility at even elite institutions.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies, far from being isolated incidents, forecast patterns seen in Texas. They reveal common threads: forced intoxication, humiliation, violence, deliberate delays in medical care, and systematic cover-ups. What’s more, these cases prove that while reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often only follow tragedy and litigation, justice can be found.

For Briscoe County families, these national lessons are directly applicable to understanding hazardous situations at Texas universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor. The legal precedents set in these cases strengthen the arguments for negligence and gross negligence against all liable parties in Texas.

TEXAS FOCUS: UH, TEXAS A&M, UT, SMU, BAYLOR

Briscoe County families often send their children to universities across Texas, from the nearby Texas Tech University in Lubbock, to major institutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the larger cities of Austin and Houston. Understanding the specific context of hazing at these prominent Texas universities is crucial.

Texas Tech University

For students and families in Briscoe County, Texas Tech University in Lubbock is a key higher education destination, located about 1.5 hours north of Silverton. Many of our local graduates continue their studies here, and understanding the campus culture and policies regarding hazing is paramount. Texas Tech has a significant Greek life presence, alongside numerous athletic teams and student organizations.

Campus & culture snapshot

Texas Tech University, often called “Tech” by locals and students, is a large public research university located in Lubbock, Texas. It boasts a vibrant campus life, a strong sense of tradition, and robust athletic programs, particularly in football. Greek life is active and influential, with a mix of national fraternities and sororities contributing to student social life. This strong sense of community, while often positive, can sometimes create environments ripe for unwelcome traditions within new member processes.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Texas Tech maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any organization. The university provides multiple avenues for reporting, including through the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct, and the Texas Tech Police Department. They also usually publish hazing statistics or outcomes online, consistent with state law.

Selected documented incidents & responses

Texas Tech has its own history with hazing incidents. In 2014, Alpha Sigma Phi was involved in the alcohol-related death of Dalton Debrick, an 18-year-old incoming freshman, who died of alcohol poisoning while pledging the Alpha Sigma Phi colony. This tragic event underscored the severe risks of alcohol hazing. While an isolated incident should not define an entire university, it is a sobering reminder that such incidents can and do occur even at institutions that families from Briscoe County trust.

Another incident involved Delta Sigma Phi in 2001, where an “alcohol-related auto fatality” during illicit activities, despite not being officially labeled hazing by the university at the time, was later linked to hazing by the victim’s family, who alleged sleep deprivation during “The Ritual” contributed to the death of Zachary Aaron Michael Mullins. This illustrates how organizations might conduct “unofficial” activities.

How a Texas Tech hazing case might proceed

Hazing cases at Texas Tech would involve investigations by the Texas Tech Police Department and possibly the Lubbock Police Department. Civil actions would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Lubbock County. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, and potentially the university itself, depending on the specifics of knowledge and actions by the administration. For Briscoe County families, these legal proceedings would take place in Lubbock, or if the case involves larger institutional liability, potentially in federal courts.

What Texas Tech students & parents should do

• Familiarize yourselves with Texas Tech’s official hazing policies on their website.
• Utilize the university’s reporting channels if hazing is suspected, including contacting the Dean of Students or the Texas Tech Police Department.
• Document any suspicious behavior comprehensively, including dates, times, people involved, and locations.
• If an incident occurs, prioritize medical attention and immediately seek legal counsel that understands the intricacies of Texas hazing law and institutional liability.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston is a significant destination for many Texans, including those from Briscoe County who seek a diverse, thriving urban campus experience. Located in Harris County, UH has become a focal point for our firm due to a recent, high-profile hazing case.

Campus & culture snapshot

The University of Houston is a large, public Tier One research university situated in the heart of Houston. It serves a diverse student body and boasts a lively campus environment. Greek life at UH is extensive, with numerous fraternities and sororities, both social and service-oriented, actively engaged in campus activities. This active student life is a draw for many, but also means that new member processes are prevalent.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

UH maintains a rigorous anti-hazing policy that explicitly prohibits hazing on or off campus. This policy covers actions like forced alcohol/substance consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and psychological abuse. Students and witnesses are encouraged to report incidents through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, or the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). UH, like other Texas institutions, posts disciplinary actions and some hazing information on its website.

Selected documented incidents & responses

The most prominent incident, and one central to Attorney911’s ongoing litigation, is the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. In late 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge, endured severe hazing that allegedly included:

• Being forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” containing degrading items.
• Forced physical exertion, including more than 100 push-ups and 500 squats.
• Having water sprayed “like waterboarding” and enduring threats of actual waterboarding.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• Late-night “workouts” in Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
  This brutal hazing led to Bermudez suffering acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis, requiring a four-day hospitalization. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended, and its charter surrendered. This case, filed by Attorney911, seeks over $10 million from the university, its Board of Regents, the national fraternity, its housing corporation, and 13 individual members, highlighting the extensive liability involved.

Prior to this, a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case saw pledges reportedly deprived of food, water, and sleep, with one student suffering a lacerated spleen. This incident led to misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension, demonstrating UH’s willingness to act against severe hazing.

How a UH hazing case might proceed

For Briscoe County families, a hazing incident at UH would involve investigations by the UHPD or Houston Police Department. Civil lawsuits are heard in Harris County courts. Potential defendants are varied, potentially including individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and the university itself. Attorney911’s active involvement in the Bermudez case demonstrates that complex litigation against multiple parties, including the institution, is a viable path.

What UH students & parents should do

• Immediately familiarize yourselves with the UH hazing policies and reporting mechanisms.
• If an incident occurs, prioritize legal counsel experienced in Houston-based hazing cases to gather evidence and navigate the university and court systems effectively.
• Document any communication with UH officials, as university investigations can be a critical source of information, but should not preclude independent legal action.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University in College Station holds a special place in the hearts of many Texans, including families from Briscoe County, who often send their children to experience its deep traditions and strong community. However, even within such a proud institution, hazing remains a serious concern.

Campus & culture snapshot

Texas A&M is renowned for its unique traditions, espirit de corps, and particularly, its Corps of Cadets, one of the largest uniformed student bodies in the nation. It also has a significant and active Greek life. The robust emphasis on tradition and unity, while integral to the A&M experience, can sometimes be twisted into hazing rituals, particularly within the Corps and various student organizations.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Texas A&M maintains a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that is clearly communicated to students and organizations. It strictly prohibits hazing both on and off campus, and disciplinary actions range from probation to suspension or expulsion for individuals, and loss of recognition for organizations. Reporting mechanisms include the Student Conduct Office, the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), and specific reporting channels within the Corps of Cadets.

Selected documented incidents & responses

Texas A&M has faced hazing allegations in various forms:

• Corps of Cadets (2023 lawsuit): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing, including simulated sexual acts and being tied up in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The university investigated and stated it handled the matter, highlighting the potential for hazing even within highly structured, tradition-bound groups like the Corps. Previous incidents within the Corps, such as the 1984 death of Bruce Dean Goodrich from heatstroke during strenuous exercise at 2:30 a.m., led to hazing convictions and continue to cast a shadow.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021 lawsuit): Two pledges alleged severe hazing, including being covered in substances like industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and the pledges filed a lawsuit alleging significant damages. This case highlights how hazing can be physically damaging and involve harmful substances, not just alcohol.
• Texas A&M Bonfire Collapse (1999): While not traditional hazing, the tragic Bonfire collapse that killed 12 students and injured 27 raised profound questions about student-led high-risk traditions and institutional oversight. Civil lawsuits against university officials underscored the need for accountability in student activities.

How a Texas A&M hazing case might proceed

Investigations at Texas A&M would involve UPD and potentially Brazos County law enforcement. Civil lawsuits could be filed in Brazos County courts. Due to its status as a public university, Texas A&M might assert sovereign immunity, but Attorney911’s experience demonstrates that such immunity can be challenged, particularly in cases of gross negligence or when individual employees are targeted. For Briscoe County residents, traveling to College Station for university proceedings or Brazos County for court appearances would be necessary.

What Texas A&M students & parents should do

• Be critically aware of how “traditions” can mask hazing.
• Report any suspicious activities to Student Conduct or UPD immediately.
• Document, document, document—screenshots, photos of injuries, and detailed notes are vital.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin is a flagship institution for the state, drawing students from every corner of Texas, including Briscoe County. Its vibrant campus and dynamic Greek life are attractive, but also necessitates vigilance regarding hazing.

Campus & culture snapshot

UT Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious public universities in Texas. Its sprawling campus in the heart of the state capital is known for its strong academic programs, spirited athletic events, and a very active Greek life system with dozens of fraternities and sororities. The strong sense of school pride and tradition is a hallmark of the UT experience.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

UT Austin maintains a clear and accessible anti-hazing policy, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance. They provide multiple reporting channels through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Notably, UT Austin is one of the more transparent institutions in Texas, with a publicly accessible Hazing Violations page (often found at hazing.utexas.edu) that lists organizations, dates of incidents, the nature of hazing, and official sanctions. This public record is an invaluable resource for parents and legal investigation.

Selected documented incidents & responses

UT Austin’s public hazing log reveals a consistent pattern of violations across various organizations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): This fraternity was found responsible for hazing after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. They were placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. Such incidents show how seemingly benign acts, when coerced, fall under the hazing definition.
• Texas Cowboys (2018): This long-standing spirit organization was disciplined following hazing allegations related to new member sleep deprivation and a tragic vehicle accident that killed a “New Man.” The university acknowledged hazing had occurred and took disciplinary action. The 1995 Texas Cowboys incident where Gabriel Higgins drowned in the Colorado River during drinking games at an initiation party further illustrates the risk associated with these “traditions.”
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2006): This fraternity was involved in the death of pledge Tyler Cross, who died in a fall while under the influence of alcohol, with police indicating hazing may have been a factor. More recently, in January 2024, an Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, suffering significant injuries including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and a broken nose. This chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing/safety violations, demonstrating a pattern of issues.
• University of Texas (1928, Delta Kappa Epsilon): One of the earliest documented hazing deaths in Texas history occurred at UT, when Nolte McElroy died from an electric shock during a bizarre ritual where he had to crawl through charged mattresses. This historic case underscores the long-standing and often dangerous nature of hazing rituals.

How a UT Austin hazing case might proceed

Investigations for incidents at UT Austin involve UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits are typically filed in Travis County courts. While UT Austin is a public university and may assert sovereign immunity, the extensive public record of hazing violations strengthens arguments for liability by demonstrating prior knowledge and a pattern of misconduct.

What UT Austin students & parents should do

• Regularly check UT’s public Hazing Violations page to stay informed about organizations you or your child might be interested in.
• Note that UT’s transparency can be an asset in legal cases, providing documented evidence of an organization’s history.
• If hazing occurs, ensure all incidents are reported to the appropriate university and law enforcement channels, and immediately seek experienced legal counsel.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University in Dallas is a premier private institution that draws many students from affluent communities across Texas, including some from Briscoe County. Its established Greek life is a central component of its social fabric, but also comes with hazing risks.

Campus & culture snapshot

SMU is a private university located in a prestigious neighborhood in Dallas. It’s known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and a highly active Greek life that plays a dominant role in the university’s social scene. The culture often emphasizes tradition and peer connections, traits that, if unchecked, can lead to hazing.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

As a private institution, SMU has its own set of policies and conduct codes. Hazing is strictly forbidden, and the university outlines clear definitions and consequences on its website. Reporting channels typically include the Office of the Dean of Students, SMU Police Department, and various online reporting forms for anonymity. SMU utilizes systems like “Real Response” to encourage reporting.

Selected documented incidents & responses

SMU has faced its share of publicized hazing incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members were allegedly paddled, forced to drink excessive alcohol, and deprived of sleep. This led to the chapter being suspended, with significant restrictions on its activities and recruiting for several years. The incident shed light on the physical and alcohol-related aspects of hazing within the SMU Greek system.
• Other Greek life suspensions: SMU has periodically suspended other Greek organizations for various conduct violations that often include hazing, underage drinking, and failure to comply with university rules. These actions demonstrate the university’s attempt to control hazing, but also underscore its persistence. As a private institution, SMU’s internal disciplinary records are not always as publicly accessible as those of state universities, but information does emerge through its official statements or news reports.

How a SMU hazing case might proceed

As a private university, SMU does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, which can simplify some legal filings against the university itself. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in Dallas County courts, and criminal investigations would involve the SMU Police Department and/or the Dallas Police Department. Evidence from SMU’s internal investigations, though not always public, can be obtained through legal discovery.

What SMU students & parents should do

• Understand that a private university’s policies and disciplinary processes may differ from public ones, potentially affecting access to information but not necessarily hindering legal action.
• Be proactive in discussing hazing risks with students involved in Greek life.
• Document every detail of any suspected hazing incident, including dates, locations, participants, and text messages or photos, to aid in both university investigations and potential legal claims.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University in Waco, a private Baptist institution, attracts many students from Briscoe County seeking a values-based education. While its religious identity shapes much of its campus culture, it is not immune to hazing.

Campus & culture snapshot

Baylor University is known for its strong Christian mission, academic rigor, and dedication to NCAA Division I athletics. Located in Waco, it cultivates a close-knit community but also maintains a significant Greek presence. The desire to balance faith-based principles with traditional collegiate experiences, including Greek life and athletics, sometimes leads to tension when hazing incidents conflict with stated values.

Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Baylor has a firm anti-hazing policy, clearly defining prohibited behaviors and outlining severe consequences. The university reiterates that hazing contradicts its Christian mission and values. Reporting can be made through the Dean of Students, Campus Living and Learning, Baylor Police Department, or a confidential hotline. Baylor, through its Student Handbook and website, actively discourages hazing.

Selected documented incidents & responses

Baylor, like other institutions, has faced hazing challenges, sometimes intersecting with broader issues of institutional oversight:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an internal investigation, 14 Baylor baseball players were suspended due to hazing violations within the team. The suspensions were staggered across the early part of the season, indicating the university’s response to an issue within its athletic department. Details of the hazing were not fully publicized but suggested behavior inconsistent with university policy.
• Baylor Chamber of Commerce (1967): One of the earliest documented hazing deaths in a social club occurred at Baylor. John E. Clifton died after consuming a foul concoction and laxatives as requested by members of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. This tragic historical event illustrates the long-standing nature of dangerous hazing even within non-Greek organizations at the university.

Baylor’s history with its football program and Title IX investigations (into sexual assault handling) has put the university under intense scrutiny, underscoring the importance of robust oversight and swift, transparent responses to all forms of student misconduct, including hazing.

How a Baylor hazing case might proceed

As a private university, Baylor is not shielded by sovereign immunity, potentially making it more directly suable than public institutions in some aspects. Civil lawsuits related to hazing would typically be filed in McLennan County courts, and criminal investigations would involve the Baylor Police Department and/or the Waco Police Department. The specific facts surrounding the university’s knowledge or failure to act if policies are violated would be central to any legal claim.

What Baylor students & parents should do

• Understand that being a private, faith-based institution does not exempt Baylor or its organizations from hazing.
• Pay close attention to the intersection of university policy, stated values, and actual student culture.
• Document any suspected hazing with diligence, and do not hesitate to seek confidential legal advice from attorneys familiar with private university liability.

FRATERNITIES & SORORITIES: CAMPUS-SPECIFIC + NATIONAL HISTORIES

For Briscoe County families, understanding hazing means looking beyond the local chapter on a Texas campus and recognizing the deep, often troubling, national histories of these organizations. When a local chapter engages in hazing, it’s rarely an isolated incident; it often mirrors patterns of behavior seen across the country, patterns that national headquarters are well aware of.

Why National Histories Matter

The presence of national fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor means these local chapters operate under the umbrella of larger organizations. These national entities almost universally have strict anti-hazing policies, thick risk management manuals, and elaborate training programs. Why? Because they’ve been here before. They have seen the deaths, the catastrophic injuries, and the multi-million-dollar lawsuits stemming from:

• Forced alcohol consumption.
• Extreme physical abuse.
• Demeaning rituals and psychological torment.
• Dangerous “pledge sneaks” and “drop-offs.”

When a Texas chapter repeats a dangerous “tradition” that led to injury or death at another chapter in a different state, it creates a powerful legal argument for foreseeability. It becomes difficult for national organizations to claim ignorance or that it was a “rogue chapter” when the exact same pattern has caused harm elsewhere within their own system. This evidence can significantly strengthen negligence arguments, increase settlement leverage, and potentially support claims for punitive damages.

Organization Mapping: National Patterns & Texas Presence

While every fraternity and sorority has unique characteristics, certain organizations have appeared repeatedly in national hazing incidents. For Briscoe County parents trying to assess risk, knowing these patterns is crucial.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

  • History: Pi Kappa Alpha has a national reputation marred by severe hazing incidents, especially involving alcohol.
  • National Incidents: The tragic 2021 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University, due to forced alcohol consumption, led to criminal charges and a $10 million settlement with the family. The 2012 death of David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University also resulted from alcohol poisoning during a Pike event, leading to a $14 million settlement.
  • Texas Presence: Pike chapters are present at many Texas universities, including active and dissolved chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other institutions.
  • Relevance: These national cases provide strong evidence of foreseeability for any Texas chapter practicing similar alcohol-related hazing.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):

  • History: SAE has been controversially dubbed “America’s deadliest fraternity” by some media outlets due to a disproportionate number of hazing-related deaths, particularly due to alcohol. Nationally, they famously banned pledging in 2014 in an attempt to curb hazing, though incidents have continued.
  • National Incidents: SAE’s national history includes numerous fatalities and significant injuries. Beyond the Texas cases, the 2008 death of Carson Starkey at Cal Poly after alcohol hazing spurred significant reform and advocacy.
  • Texas Presence: SAE has chapters at multiple Texas universities, including UT Austin and Texas A&M, where members have faced hazing allegations. For instance, in 2021, two pledges at Texas A&M alleged severe chemical burns from industrial cleaner poured on them during a hazing ritual. In January 2024, a student at UT Austin alleged assault by SAE members, resulting in significant injuries.
  • Relevance: The national pattern of harm makes it very difficult for the national fraternity to claim ignorance when similar incidents occur in Texas.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

  • History: Phi Delta Theta has also been linked to several high-profile hazing deaths, primarily involving alcohol abuse.
  • National Incidents: The 2017 death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University from alcohol poisoning during an initiation ritual resulted in criminal convictions and led to Louisiana’s felony Max Gruver Act.
  • Texas Presence: Phi Delta Theta chapters are established at various Texas universities, including UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Baylor.
  • Relevance: The national incidents establish a clear pattern of risk that any Texas chapter is, by extension, associated with.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

  • History: Pi Kappa Phi has faced scrutiny for hazing deaths and severe injuries across the country.
  • National Incidents: The 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night” led to multiple criminal prosecutions of members.
  • Texas Presence: Pi Kappa Phi has a chapter at the University of Houston, which is currently a defendant in Attorney911’s Leonel Bermudez lawsuit, stemming from severe hazing that caused acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis in late 2025.
  • Relevance: The Bermudez case directly links Pi Kappa Phi’s national pattern to the local level in Texas, showcasing the severe physical harm hazing can inflict.

• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ):

  • History: Kappa Alpha Order has a long history and strong traditions, some of which have unfortunately included hazing practices leading to disciplinary actions.
  • Texas Presence: Kappa Alpha Order has chapters at many Texas universities, including SMU, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. The 2017 SMU Kappa Alpha Order incident involved pledges allegedly being paddled, forced to drink, and deprived of sleep, leading to chapter suspension.
  • Relevance: This local Texas incident confirms the national organization’s ongoing challenges with hazing.

• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ):

  • History: As one of the historically Black fraternities, Omega Psi Phi is a prominent and respected organization, but even within its ranks, hazing has tragically occurred.
  • National Incidents: The 2023 University of Southern Mississippi case involves a federal lawsuit by a former student alleging severe hazing, including multiple beatings with a paddle and injuries requiring emergency surgery. The 1983 death of Vann Watts at Tennessee State University from an alcohol overdose during a pledging session also highlights a painful part of its history.
  • Texas Presence: Omega Psi Phi has a presence at various Texas universities, including Prairie View A&M and Lamar University.
  • Relevance: These cases underscore that no subset of Greek life is immune, and physical hazing remains a dangerous threat.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

The documented national histories of these organizations are not mere anecdotes; they are crucial components in modern hazing litigation strategy.

• They establish a pattern of behavior and put national organizations on prior notice of the risks associated with certain “traditions.”
• When a local Texas chapter repeats these patterns, it becomes difficult for the national organization to claim ignorance or that the actions were unforeseeable.
• This pattern evidence can significantly influence:
  • Settlement leverage: Demonstrating a history of similar incidents can pressure national organizations to settle to avoid public exposure and large jury verdicts.
  • Insurance coverage disputes: It can help overcome arguments by insurers that the acts were “unforeseeable” or “intentional” and thus excluded from coverage, as prior knowledge implies negligence in prevention.
  • Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or extreme recklessness, a history of ignoring warnings can be a strong factor in arguing for punitive damages, which aim to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct.

For families in Briscoe County, this deep understanding of national and local history is invaluable. It helps shine a light on the systemic issues at play and provides a powerful basis for legal action when tragedy strikes close to home.

BUILDING A CASE: EVIDENCE, DAMAGES, STRATEGY

When a family from Briscoe County faces the devastation of hazing, building a strong legal case is paramount. It requires a meticulous approach to evidence collection, a clear understanding of potential damages, and a strategic plan to navigate complex legal and institutional challenges. Attorney911 has the expertise and resources to turn tragedy into accountability.

Evidence: The Cornerstones of a Hazing Case

Modern hazing cases are won or lost on evidence, with digital proof often being the most critical. We approach evidence collection with the precision of forensics experts.

• Digital Communications: The text messages, direct messages, and group chat conversations that students use daily are goldmines of evidence. Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage, and even fraternity-specific apps often contain:

  • Direct instructions for hazing activities.
  • Discussions about covering up incidents.
  • Photos or videos of forced drinking, physical abuse, or humiliating rituals.
  • Admissions of guilt or acknowledgments of policies being broken.
    Screenshotting these messages immediately is crucial, before they are deleted or “cleaned up” by members. Our team works with digital forensics experts who can often recover deleted messages, but original captures are always best.

• Photos & Videos: From cell phone footage of hazing events to security camera recordings at houses or venues, visual evidence is powerful. This includes:

  • Videos of forced alcohol consumption, physical challenges, or degrading acts.
  • Photos of injuries, objects used in hazing, or the locations where events occurred.
  • Social media content (even seemingly “fun” posts can reveal hazing behavior).

• Internal Organization Documents: These provide critical insight into the chapter’s operations and the national organization’s oversight:

  • Pledge manuals, “secret” handbooks, or lists of “traditions.”
  • Emails or texts between chapter officers, or between the chapter and national headquarters, discussing new member activities.
  • National organization policies, risk management guidelines, and training materials, which can expose a gap between written rules and actual practice.

• University Records: Public information laws and discovery processes can unlock crucial university records:

  • Prior conduct files of the involved organization, showing a history of hazing violations, probation, or suspensions.
  • Campus police incident reports.
  • Clery Act reports and Title IX complaints.
  • Internal emails among administrators that may reveal knowledge of hazing.

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

  • Emergency room, hospital, and ambulance records.
  • Lab results (e.g., blood alcohol content, toxicology, or Creatine Kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis cases like Leonel Bermudez’).
  • Diagnoses and treatment plans for physical injuries and psychological trauma (PTSD, depression, anxiety).

• Witness Testimony: The accounts of those who saw or experienced the hazing are invaluable:

  • Other pledges or new members, even if initially reluctant to speak.
  • Current or former chapter members.
  • Roommates, friends, or RAs who observed changes in behavior or physical symptoms.
  • Even individuals who participated in the hazing can sometimes become witnesses if properly approached.

Damages: Recovering All Losses

Hazing is devastating, and victims and their families deserve full compensation for all losses incurred. Damages in hazing cases can be substantial, covering both tangible and intangible harms. Attorney911 works with experts to meticulously calculate every aspect of these damages, ensuring our clients receive the maximum compensation possible.

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses, including:

  • Medical Expenses: Past and future costs for emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing therapy (physical, occupational, psychological), medications, and specialized care for catastrophic injuries. In cases involving severe injuries like rhabdomyolysis or traumatic brain injury, life care plans are often developed to cover lifelong needs.
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: This includes wages lost due to injury or recovery, tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, and, crucially, reduced future earning capacity if injuries result in permanent disability or delayed entry into a career.
  • Other Economic Losses: Such as property damage sustained during an incident, or relocation costs if a student must transfer to a different university.

• Non-Economic Damages: These address the subjective, but deeply impactful, aspects of suffering:

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: The immediate and ongoing pain from injuries, and the long-term discomfort from permanent conditions.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This is critical in hazing cases. It includes conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of dignity, and the erosion of trust. Psychological evaluations are essential to document this emotional toll.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in beloved activities, academic setbacks, and damage to social relationships.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): When hazing results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue:

  • Funeral and Burial Costs: Direct expenses related to the deceased.
  • Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the financial contributions the deceased would have made to their family.
  • Loss of Companionship, Love, and Society: For parents, spouses, and children, this is the profound emotional void left by their loved one.
  • Grief and Emotional Suffering: Direct compensation for the family’s immense pain.

• Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant’s conduct was exceptionally reckless, willful, or malicious, punitive damages may be sought. These are designed not just to compensate the victim, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. In Texas, punitive damages are available under specific conditions, particularly in cases involving gross negligence.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, each with their own legal counsel and insurance policies. This landscape can be intricate:

• Insurance Coverage: National fraternities, universities, and sometimes even individual officers or homeowners, carry substantial insurance policies designed to cover liability. However, insurers often aggressively try to deny coverage, arguing that hazing constitutes “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct” excluded from their policies.
• Navigating Insurance Disputes: This is where Attorney911’s unique advantage comes into play. Our associate, Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She understands the insurers’ playbook inside and out—their tactics for denying claims, their coverage exclusion arguments, and their valuation strategies. This insider knowledge allows us to effectively challenge denials and maximize recovery for our clients.
• Challenging Sovereign Immunity: For public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT, asserting “sovereign immunity” is a common defense. However, there are significant exceptions. Attorney911 examines each case for evidence of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violations of federal statutes like Title IX, which can bypass immunity. We also pursue individual liability against specific employees who acted egregiously.

Building a case requires not only legal acumen but also investigative resources, a network of expert witnesses (medical, psychological, financial, digital forensics), and the tenacity to confront powerful institutions. Attorney911 brings this comprehensive strategy to every hazing case, ensuring families from Briscoe County have the strongest possible representation.

PRACTICAL GUIDES & FAQS

Hazing can be traumatic and confusing, leaving students and parents in Briscoe County feeling isolated and unsure of what to do. This section offers practical advice and addresses common questions to empower you with knowledge and actionable steps.

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

As a parent, your intuition is powerful. Trust it. Here’s what to look for and how to respond:

• Warning Signs of Hazing:

  • Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, cuts, burns, or repeated “accidents” with weak or inconsistent explanations.
  • Extreme Fatigue/Sleep Deprivation: Your child is constantly exhausted, falling asleep in strange places, or receiving texts/calls at odd hours.
  • Mood Swings & Withdrawal: Drastic changes in personality, increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or withdrawal from usual social circles and family.
  • Secrecy: They become unusually secretive about their organization’s activities, using phrases like “I can’t talk about it” or “it’s a secret.”
  • Fear/Anxiety: Constant checking of their phone, jumping at notifications, or expressing fear of “getting in trouble” with their group.
  • Academic Decline: Sudden drops in grades, missing classes, or neglecting assignments due to mandatory group activities.
  • Financial Strain: Unexpected requests for money, unexplained expenses, or large sums spent on items for older members.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment. Reassure them that their safety is your priority, even over their membership in a group. Use open-ended questions like: “How are things really going with [group name]?”, “Are you comfortable with everything you’re being asked to do?”, or “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?” Emphasize that you will support them regardless of their choices or desire to leave the group.

• If Your Child is Hurt:

  1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Prioritize their health. Ensure they receive proper medical care.
  2. Document Everything: Take clear photos of any injuries from multiple angles and over several days to show progression. Screenshot all relevant text messages, group chats, or social media posts. Write down a detailed timeline of events, including dates, times, people involved, and locations.
  3. Preserve Physical Evidence: Do not wash clothing that may have blood, vomit, or other substances. Store any objects involved in the hazing.

• Dealing with the University: While universities have policies and reporting channels, their primary goal is often self-preservation and managing their reputation. Document every interaction you have with university administrators. Ask pointed questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what actions the school took. Remember, university processes often lead to internal discipline, not legal compensation.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident or attempting a cover-up, it’s time to contact an attorney experienced in hazing cases. Early legal consultation can protect your child’s rights and preserve crucial evidence.

For Students / Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

If you’re a student from Briscoe County experiencing or witnessing hazing, your safety comes first.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?: Ask yourself:

  • Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
  • Would I do this if there were no social consequences or fear of being “cut” from the group?
  • Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
  • Would my parents or the university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
  • Are older members making new members do things they didn’t have to do themselves?
  • Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about what’s happening?
    If you answer yes to any of these, it’s very likely hazing, regardless of how it’s labeled. Texas Education Code is clear: consent is not a defense to hazing.

• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The pressure to “fit in” or “earn your letters” can be immense. The law recognizes that true consent is impossible in an environment with power imbalances, social pressure, and potential threats of exclusion. You have the right to be safe, regardless of what you may have “agreed” to under duress.

• Exiting and Reporting Safely:

  • Immediate Danger: If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 or campus police. Do not delay. Texas law, and many university policies, offer medical amnesty if you seek help for yourself or others in an emergency, protecting you from charges for minor offenses like underage drinking.
  • Quitting: You have the absolute right to leave any organization at any time. You do not need their permission. Inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, academic advisor) first. If you fear retaliation, report that fear to university officials (Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator) and local police.
  • Reporting: You can report hazing anonymously through university hotlines, the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE), or directly to university authorities. Preserve any evidence you have before reporting.

For Former Members / Witnesses: Accountability Beyond Silence

If you’re a former member or witness to hazing, your decision to speak up can prevent future tragedies and bring immense relief.

• Breaking the Code of Silence: We understand the immense pressure to remain silent, the fear of retaliation, and the feeling of loyalty to your former group. However, your testimony can be critical in holding perpetrators and institutions accountable, potentially saving lives.
• Seeking Legal Counsel: If you are approached by investigators or concerned about your potential involvement, contact an attorney immediately. Your cooperation, especially with proactive disclosure and evidence, can be crucial. An attorney can advise you on your rights and help navigate potential criminal exposure while still contributing to justice for victims.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Briscoe County families, taking the right steps immediately after a hazing incident is crucial. Making common mistakes can severely jeopardize a legal claim.

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 looks like a cover-up and can constitute obstruction of justice, making a case nearly impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content. Screenshot group chats, texts, photos, and ensure nothing is deleted.

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
   • Why it’s wrong: Confronting them alerts them to impending action, prompting them to immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses.
   • What to do instead: Document everything privately, then consult a lawyer before any confrontation.

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

   • What universities do: They may pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements that settle matters quickly.
   • Why it’s wrong: You may inadvertently waive your right to sue or resolve your case for a fraction of its true value.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.

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

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
   • Why it’s wrong: Your posts can be used against you in court, creating inconsistencies that hurt credibility. Defense attorneys screenshot everything, and public posts can waive legal privilege.
   • What to do instead: Document 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: The organization will likely use this opportunity to further pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can damage your case.
   • What to do instead: Once you’re considering legal action, all communication goes 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, witnesses graduate, the statute of limitations runs out, and the university’s priority is its own reputation, not your child’s compensation or complete justice.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult a lawyer immediately. University internal processes are not the same as 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: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Recorded statements are used against you, and early settlement offers are typically lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and state, “My attorney will contact you.”

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. While public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) benefit from some sovereign immunity, exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or certain federal claims like Title IX violations. Private universities (like SMU, Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-dependent—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  Hazing can be a state jail felony in Texas if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Otherwise, it is typically a Class B misdemeanor, or a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury. Individuals, and even the organization itself, can face criminal 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 coercion, peer pressure, or fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, Texans have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a hazing lawsuit. However, the “discovery rule” can sometimes extend this if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving deliberate cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is always critical—evidence disappears, and witnesses’ memories fade. 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 for the perpetrators, organizations, or even the university. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments occurred at off-campus residences or retreats. Universities and national organizations can still be liable based on their knowledge, sponsorship, control, and the foreseeability of hazing activities.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  While some hazing cases are highly publicized, many others settle confidentially before ever reaching a public trial. Attorney911 prioritizes your family’s privacy and can work to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms while still pursuing full accountability.

ATTORNEY911: WHY WE FIGHT HAZING

When your family in Briscoe County faces a hazing crisis, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a Legal Emergency Lawyer™. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, we understand that these cases are not just about legal statutes—they’re about shattered trust, physical and emotional trauma, and a fight for justice that can feel overwhelming. We are a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep roots in complex litigation, serving families like yours throughout Texas, including Briscoe County and the wider Panhandle region.

What sets Attorney911 apart in hazing litigation? We combine an insider’s understanding of the defense playbook with a proven track record of taking on powerful institutions.

• The Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings a critical edge to every hazing case. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she understands exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies operate. She knows their tactics for denying claims, their arguments for excluding coverage, and their strategies for minimizing payouts. We know their playbook because she used to run it. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves and aggressively challenge them, maximizing your family’s chances of a fair recovery. Learn more about Lupe Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

• Taking on Giants: Complex Litigation Against the Powerful: Led by Ralph Manginello, our firm is built for complex litigation against even the largest defendants. Ralph was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, a testament to our capacity to challenge billion-dollar corporations and win. Universities, national fraternities, and their defense teams won’t intimidate us. We’ve taken on the powerful, secured significant results, and we know how to fight for what’s right. Ralph Manginello’s complete credentials and extensive case history are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

• Multi-Million Dollar Results in Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury: Hazing often leads to life-altering injuries or tragic deaths. Our firm has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar results in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We don’t settle cheap. Our expertise includes collaborating with economists to accurately value lost futures, working with medical experts to document lifelong care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities, and building comprehensive cases that demand accountability. Visit our wrongful death page to learn more: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.

• Dual Expertise: Navigating Criminal and Civil Tracks: When hazing incidents lead to criminal charges, Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides invaluable insight. We understand how criminal charges against individuals interact with civil litigation, allowing us to offer strategic advice across both fronts and protect our clients’ interests comprehensively.

• Unwavering Client Advocacy and Empathy: We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances aggressive legal representation with profound empathy for our clients. We are dedicated to transparent communication, meticulous evidence collection (as seen in our video on documenting a legal case with your cellphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), and unwavering advocacy. We don’t just fight for compensation; we fight for answers, accountability, and to help prevent these tragedies from happening to another family.

Contact Attorney911 Today: Your Briscoe County Hazing Lawyer

If your child from Briscoe County has been impacted by hazing at a Texas university—whether Texas Tech in Lubbock, UH in Houston, or any campus across the state—you don’t have to face this alone. The insidious nature of hazing, the pressure for silence, and the complex legal landscape require immediate, experienced intervention.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story without judgment, review the details of what happened, and explain your legal options clearly and comprehensively. We’ll discuss potential criminal reports, civil lawsuits, or other paths forward, ensuring you understand everything every step of the way. You won’t feel pressured to hire us on the spot; our goal is to empower you with information to make the best decision for your family. Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. (Learn more about contingency fees here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc)

Don’t let valuable evidence disappear or your rights expire. The statute of limitations for hazing cases in Texas can be as short as two years, and critical evidence, like deleted messages and witness memories, fades quickly. (Understand the importance of acting fast by watching our video on the statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c).

Contact us today for a free case evaluation:

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

Hablamos Español. For consultation in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly: lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

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

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

COMPLETE TEXAS UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY

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

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

COMPLETE TEXAS GREEK ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY

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

• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON | EIN: 56-2652714 | BEAUMONT, TX
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA CHAPTER | EIN: 47-3967233 | LUBBOCK, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-2525354 | COLLEGE STA, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418972 | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 87-2222906 | DALLAS, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-1418666 | KINGSVILLE, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5370943 | HOUSTON, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 47-5381060 | SAN MARCOS, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 92-1490845 | HUNTSVILLE, TX
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 81-5229133 | SAN ANTONIO, TX
• BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER – ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 99-0483761 | HOUSTON, TX
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 46-2267515 | FRISCO, TX
• BETA UPSILON CHI | EIN: 74-2911848 | FORT WORTH, TX
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI | EIN: 74-6047117 | AUSTIN, TX
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-0555581 | AUSTIN, TX
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6041410 | NACOGDOCHES, TX
• CHI EPSILON SIGMA INC | EIN: 45-1677063 | DALLAS, TX
• DELTA ALPHA SIGMA MULTICULTURAL SORORITY | EIN: 36-4806998 | DALLAS, TX
• DELTA PHI CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY ALUMNI HOUSING | EIN: 90-0239693 | DALLAS, TX
• DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 80-0209640 | HOUSTON, TX
• DENTON-LEWISVILLE GUIDE RIGHT FOUNDATION | EIN: 86-1205340 | FLOWER MOUND, TX
• EPSILON MU CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6203190 | FORT WORTH, TX
• EPSILON PI PHI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HONOR SOCIETY | EIN: 47-4643399 | ROUND ROCK, TX
• EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 23-7359384 | LUBBOCK, TX
• EPSILON TAU CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6053083 | NACOGDOCHES, TX
• ETA KAPPA CHAPTER OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION | EIN: 75-2935462 | FRISCO, TX
• ETA ALPHA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA DELTA SORORITY | EIN: 74-2930349 | COLLEGE STA, TX
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1565336 | LUBBOCK, TX
• FIRST COMMAND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | EIN: 75-1973894 | FORT WORTH, TX
• FORT WORTH ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 75-2755600 | FORT WORTH, TX
• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION | EIN: 20-3507402 | CANYON, TX
• FRISCO TX ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI INCORPORATED | EIN: 92-0575785 | FRISCO, TX
• GAMMA PHI DELTA CHRISTIAN FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-2893931 | FORT WORTH, TX
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 16-1675890 | THE WOODLANDS, TX
• GAMMA PHI HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-1283953 | LUBBOCK, TX
• GAMMA IOTA CHAPTER OF GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 75-1225585 | WICHITA FALLS, TX
• GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION | EIN: 88-0537463 | COLLEGE STA, TX
• GULF COAST ALUMNI ET OF OX INC | EIN: 45-2717861 | MEXIA, TX
• HELLENIC PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF TEXAS | EIN: 74-2020182 | HOUSTON, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 46-3831593 | AUSTIN, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293166 | COLLEGE STATION, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 26-3170920 | DENTON, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 38-3742830 | EL PASO, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 82-0644459 | LUBBOCK, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 35-2335400 | TYLER, TX
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 90-0293167 | VICTORIA, TX
• IOTA ALPHA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 51-0225632 | ARLINGTON, TX
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 45-3325054 | MANSFIELD, TX
• KAPPA EPSILON CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-1727080 | ARLINGTON, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 75-6067776 | FORT WORTH, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 13-3048786 | COLLEGE STATION, TX
• KAPPA SIGMA – MU GAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 27-3662583 | LUFKIN, TX
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 74-1130606 | AUSTIN, TX
• LAMBDA NU GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 93-2103520 | CONROE, TX
• LAMBDA OMEGA EPSILON SORORITY INC | EIN: 86-1854073 | CONROE, TX
• LELAND COLLEGE PREP PTO | EIN: 47-2160315 | HOUSTON, TX
• NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL NORTH DALLAS SUBURBIA | EIN: 26-4080411 | CARROLLTON, TX
• ONE CHAPTER ONE SHIELD | EIN: 92-1743777 | IOWA COLONY, TX
• OMICRON GAMMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 75-2819136 | ARLINGTON, TX
• OMICRON GAMMA SIGMA ALUMNI CHAPTER OF PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 92-1672050 | IRVING, TX
• PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 90-0927378 | SAN ANTONIO, TX
• PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 45-2729519 | NACOGDOCHES, TX
• PHI KAPPA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-6064445 | NEDERLAND, TX
• PHI UPSILON ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1016658 | SAN ANTONIO, TX
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 37-1768785 | MISSOURI CITY, TX
• PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY | EIN: 46-2267515 | FRISCO, TX
• PSI ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 52-1345182 | FORT WORTH, TX
• REDWINE HONORS PROGRAM STUDENT COUNCIL | EIN: 84-5090974 | WICHITA FALLS, TX
• RHO DELTA CHI NATIONAL BOARD | EIN: 93-4247450 | SUGAR LAND, TX
• SIGMA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN SORORITY INC | EIN: 85-1262394 | AUSTIN, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC | EIN: 74-6084912 | AUSTIN, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 75-2609909 | COMMERCE, TX
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY | EIN: 36-4091267 | WACO, TX
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 74-6084905 | HOUSTON, TX
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY ZETA ETA | EIN: 75-6060974 | COMMERCE, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY TEXAS GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 91-1981478 | FORT WORTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON NEW YORK CHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 26-2710856 | HOUSTON, TX
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON TEXAS ETA | EIN: 82-4398421 | RICHMOND, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA | EIN: 83-3053639 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA CHI CHAPTER | EIN: 86-3999517 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA ALPHA PSI CHAPTER | EIN: 87-4252223 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 82-3971493 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-2203769 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 20-1237505 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 81-4575228 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 26-0805977 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 90-0657756 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 32-0217610 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 46-0766525 | CORINTH, TX
• SIGMA LAMBDA ALPHA SORORITY INC | EIN: 90-0956019 | AUSTIN, TX
• SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC | EIN: 76-0221936 | HOUSTON, TX
• SOUTH TEXAS COTILLON INC | EIN: 26-2378154 | BROWNSVILLE, TX
• SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY INCORPORATED | EIN: 51-0194762 | HOUSTON, TX
• TEJAS FOUNDATION | EIN: 74-6062730 | AUSTIN, TX
• TEXAS BETA PSI CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA KAPPA SORORITY INC | EIN: 74-6088185 | SHAVANO PARK, TX
• TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER | EIN: 76-0366414 | NEEDVILLE, TX
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 74-1380362 | FORT WORTH, TX
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY | EIN: 81-4123811 | COLLEGE STA, TX
• TEXAS RHO CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY | EIN: 74-1942292 | WACO, TX
• THE ETHEL HEDGEMON LYLE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS | EIN: 76-0592907 | SPRING, TX
• UTSA SIGMA CHI | EIN: 84-2643090 | SAN ANTONIO, TX
• UPSILON ZETA BUILDING ASSOCIATION OF CHI OMEGA | EIN: 75-2290669 | AMARILLO, TX
• ZETA XI PEARLS EDUCATIONAL FUND INC | EIN: 88-3484848 | ROWLETT, TX
• ZETA OMICRON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC | EIN: 90-0949447 | PONDER, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 39-2352450 | HOUSTON, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 61-1562040 | LEWISVILLE, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 52-1345951 | NOLANVILLE, TX
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | EIN: 52-1346485 | WACO, TX
• ZETA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 75-2620706 | DALLAS, TX
• ZETA UPSILON CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | EIN: 46-2384784 | DALLAS, TX