HAZING PREVENTION & RISK REDUCTION RESPONSIBILITY Sororities and fraternities are held to high standards by the institution, their national organizations, and their chapter advisors. Sorority and Fraternity Life holds training and advises chapters one-on-one on a myriad of safety and risk reduction topics. Many national organizations offer online modules, workshops, and national conferences to prepare members to be responsible and to behave in a manner that reflects their organizational values. Additionally, every student organization at UT Austin must complete the Safety Education Program on an annual basis. Members of the sorority and fraternity community have many opportunities to learn about safety and what healthy student organizations look like. However, we need everyone to be involved in this conversation. Whether a fellow Longhorn, an advisor, a parent, a guardian, a mentor, or a family member, remember that all students joining a sorority or fraternity should feel respected and safe. If you have any concerns or questions regarding a member or new member’s safety, we highly encourage you to report all incidents.
WHAT IS HAZING? UT Austin defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a person, for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Behaviors that meet the definition of hazing vary, but by nature they endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a person. Not only is hazing prohibited at UT Austin, but it is also against the law in the state of Texas. Hazing can occur across a spectrum of behaviors, ranging from being told to wear embarrassing clothing to physical assault. It is important to know that regardless of severity, no form of hazing is tolerated and all students should feel safe joining and maintaining membership in a sorority or fraternity. Additionally, consent to participate in hazing activities is not considered a defense at UT or under state law. To learn more about the definition of hazing utilized at The University of Texas at Austin and about our campus-wide hazing prevention work, we encourage you to explore hazing.utexas.edu. If you know of someone being hazed or who has been hazed, it is your responsibility to help us shift the culture of hazing and report it to the Office of the Dean of Students.
MORE INFORMATION AND VIOLATIONS UT students should expect all student organizations to treat them with respect and dignity. Hazing has no place in the Longhorn experience or student organization culture. For more information on prevention and training, how to report, and getting support, please visit hazing.utexas.edu. In alignment with state law, and to inform students in their choice to join a student group, The University of Texas at Austin publishes and distributes a report of hazing violations with discipline completed within the last three years, and can be found at hazing.utexas/hazing-violations.
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