Eliminating Hazing

Hazing Defined

“Hazing” shall be defined as in HCC Board Policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and pursuant to legal requirements, such as Texas Education Code Section 37.151(6), and include all acts associated with hazing as set forth in Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F. The most up-to-date information about the prevention of hazing at HCC can be found on this website, in the Student Code of Conduct, and in Board Policy series FLBC. 

“Hazing” means 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 student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization whose members are or include other students if the act:

  1. Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
  2. Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, and confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
  3. Involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, other than as described by item 5, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
  4. Is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.
  5. Involves coercing, as defined by Penal Code 1.07, the student to consume a drug or an alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated, as defined by Penal Code 49.01.

A person commits an offense subject to discipline at HCC if the person:

  1. Engages in hazing.
  2. Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing.
  3. Has first-hand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution, including a college district, or first-hand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the dean of students or other appropriate official of the institution.

Depending on the level of offense, the court may require the person to perform community service or sentence them to confinement in county or state jail.

In addition, Texas state law provides that an organization commits an offense and is subject to fines of $5,000 or more if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing.

Reporting Hazing

Whether you have witnessed an act of hazing, heard friends/students discussing a concerning activity or have participated in hazing yourself, there are several ways to notify the College of hazing behavior:

  • When to report: Report if you see or know about acts of hazing occurring with any HCC-affiliated person.
  • How to report: An online incident report alerts the Associate Dean/Dean of Student Success so an appropriate intervention can be made to resolve the behavior. When submitting an incident report, you should include as much detail as you have at the time to ensure a prompt and accurate investigation into the matter. Anonymous reports may be submitted; however, an anonymous report will limit HCC’s ability to gather information and address the issue in a comprehensive manner.
  • If you believe that a student is an imminent danger to themselves or others or you have been made aware of a potential violation of the law, contact the HCC Police immediately at 713-718-8888 or 911.

Link to Board Policy

Hazing Investigation Process

Reports of hazing will be investigated using the four-step process outlined in the Student Code of Conduct for alleged violations:

  1. Step 1: Information Gathering/Preliminary Investigation by Dean of Student Success/Designee
  2. Step 2: Student Conduct Administrative Conference with Dean of Student Success/Designee
  3. Step 3: Appeal to the College Student Conduct Discipline Committee (if validly requested)
  4. Step 4: Appeal to the College President / Designee (if validly requested)

Alleged hazing violations shall be resolved at the completion of Step 2, subject to the appeals processes described in Steps 3 and 4.

Education to Eliminate Hazing - National Hazing Prevention Week (Fall)

In accordance with Board Policy FLBC (Legal), a webpage was created on the HCC website under Student Rights, Policies, and Procedures to share information about hazing. A report was created and is housed on this webpage. The report will be updated each semester and in the event that a hazing incident occurs, the report will be updated within 30 days of the incident in accordance with board policy. Below is the Official Report of Hazing Incidents to date.

2025-2026 Official Report of Hazing Incidents

In accordance with Stop Campus Hazing Act and Texas Education Code § 51.936 and Board Policy FLBC (Local), a report was created to share information about hazing incidents involving HCC student organizations. The report will be updated twice a year, and if a hazing incident occurs, it will be updated within 30 days of the incident. Below is the August 2026 report. It contains information regarding hazing incidents that occurred between July 31, 2022 - July 31, 2026. During that time period, [0] incidents of hazing were committed by a registered student organization

Official Report of Hazing Incidents

Date of Incident/Citation

Name ofOrganization

Description ofIncident/Violation

Date of Investigation Initiated

DateInvestigationConcludedwith Finding

Date ProvidedOrganizationNotice ofFinding

Code ofConductProvision(s)Violated

CriminalCharges

Sanctionsimposed byHCC orCourt

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A