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Hazing

Hazing Prevention and Response

UT Southwestern is committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the university community and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University.

What is Hazing?

The term “hazing” is deemed broadly by statute to mean certain intentional, knowing, or reckless acts occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution that are directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are, or primarily include, students.

Hazing includes but is not limited to:

  • Physical brutality (e.g., whipping, beating, branding).
  • Exposure to the elements.
  • Activities that subject the student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect their mental or physical health or safety.
  • Coercing the student to consume harmful substances.
  • Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the law.

It is an offense not only to engage in hazing but also to encourage hazing, to recklessly permit hazing to occur, or to fail to report hazing that has occurred or is being planned. Any person voluntarily reporting a specific hazing incident involving a student to the Dean or other appropriate official of the University is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report, as long as the person reports the incident before being contacted about it, acts in good faith, and is not reporting an act of hazing they committed.

Penalties for Hazing

In accordance with policy EDU-151 Student Conduct and Discipline, hazing, whether it occurs on or off campus, via electronic means, or with or without the consent of the student, is prohibited. Sanctions for students found responsible for hazing can include:

  • Disciplinary probation
  • Withholding or denial of a degree
  • Loss of privileges
  • Suspension
  • Expulsion

Upon receiving a report of potential hazing activities, UT Southwestern will initiate an investigation in accordance with the student conduct investigation and disciplinary process set forth by EDU-151P-01 Procedures for Student Discipline.

Under Texas law (Texas Education Code Sections 51.936 and 37.151-37.157), hazing is a criminal offense with penalties that vary based on the severity of the act:

  • Failing to report hazing: Class B misdemeanor.
  • Hazing not resulting in serious bodily injury: Class B misdemeanor.
  • Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury: Class A misdemeanor.
  • Hazing resulting in death: State jail felony.

Organizations found guilty of hazing may be fined between $5,000 and $10,000, or an amount double the loss of expenses incurred due to the hazing incident. Consent to hazing is not a defense under the laws.

Students and organizations that commit hazing are subject to both criminal prosecution and to disciplinary action by the institution.

Hazing Prevention Programming and Presentations

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to eliminating hazing through campus-wide evidenced-informed prevention education. These initiatives represent ongoing efforts to make lasting changes through proactive measures. Prevention programming includes, among other topics, information on hazing prevention strategies, current institutional policies related to hazing, how to identify and respond to hazing incidents, and where to report hazing incidents.

Any University department or interested group of staff, faculty, or students can request specialized presentations on hazing from the UT Southwestern Police Department. Email our Clery Coordinator or call 214-633-1621 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Monday through Friday) to obtain additional information or to schedule a presentation.

How to Report

Individuals who witness or suspect hazing should immediately report the incident. Reports can be made through the following channels:

Anonymous Report: Anonymous reports can be filed with the University Police Department via the online Hazing Violations Reporting Form.

School Administration: Hazing incidents should be reported to the respective Dean who handles disciplinary issues of each school.

Medical School: Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Angela Mihalic
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 214-648-2168
Location: Student Support Services (S) building, S1.106

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Dean for Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Andrew Zinn
Office of the Dean
Phone: 214-648-0724
Location: Wildenthal Research (NL) building, NL3.222

School of Health Professions: Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, Dr. Ramona Dorough
Office of the Dean
Phone: 214-648-8952
Location: Health Services (V) building, V9.100

Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joseph Su
Office of the Dean
Phone: 214-645-9825
Location: Florence (E) building, E2.300

UT Southwestern Police Department: For immediate threats to safety, call 214-648-8911 (emergency) using a cell phone or 911 when using a campus phone. The non-emergency line is 214-648-8311.

Learn more about UT Southwestern Medical Center's complete Hazing Prevention and Awareness Policy.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

The UT Southwestern Medical Center Campus Hazing Transparency Report is a public record of all reported hazing incidents involving student organizations at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Updated twice a year, this report promotes accountability, educates the campus community, and supports a culture of prevention. By making this information accessible, UT Southwestern Medical Center empowers students and families to make informed decisions about campus involvement and reinforces our commitment to a safe, respectful university environment.

The report will include the following information:

  • The name of the student organization;
  • A general description of the violation, including whether it involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, the findings of the institution, and any sanctions issued;
  • Date of the hazing incident(s);
  • Date the investigation was initiated;
  • Date the investigation ended with a finding that hazing occurred;
  • Date that notice of the outcome was issued to the student organization.

Any hazing violation of a student organization will be made public for at least five calendar years.

Report last updated: September 1, 2025.

Cases by Academic Year:

  • 2025-2026 Academic Year: No Incidents to Report to Date
  • 2024-2025 Academic Year: No Incidents to Report
  • 2023-2024 Academic Year: No Incidents to Report
  • 2022-2023 Academic Year: No Incidents to Report
  • 2021-2022 Academic Year: No Incidents to Report
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