The Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed on December 23, 2024, and amended the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. It requires that each domestic institution of higher education that participates in federal financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, must comply with certain policy, disclosure, and prevention requirements related to hazing involving student organizations.

For an exhaustive list of defined terms and information regarding reporting incidents of hazing, the investigation process for hazing, possible sanctions and remedies, non-retaliation, and non-interference with the investigation process, see Texas Tech University System Regulation 07.19 - Stop Campus Hazing Act Compliance.

Definitions

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

A report required to be published and updated twice per year if an institution has a finding of a hazing violation by an established or recognized student organization.

Campus Security Authority (CSA)

An individual or organization on campus who have responsibility under the Clery Act to report allegations of Clery Act crimes, including reports of Hazing.

Hazing

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—

• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—
  • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
  • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal or Federal law; and
  • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Hazing Statistics

Statistics concerning the occurrence on campus, in or on non-campus buildings or property, and on public property during the most recent calendar year, and during the 2 preceding calendar years for which data are available - of hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies.

Prevention & Awareness Programs

Programs designed to educate students, faculty, and staff about the dangers of hazing and promote a culture of safety and accountability at each institution. Required prevention and awareness programs must be research informed, campus-wide, and designed to reach students, faculty, and staff.

Student Organization

An organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution. However, only Student Organizations that are recognized or established by the University shall be subject to the University's disciplinary authority.

Responsibilities of Texas Tech University

Pursuant to the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Texas Tech University will:

• Annually compile statistics for hazing incidents using the required Hazing definition
  • Disclose any that occur within Clery geography in the Annual Security Report
  • Include any that occur within Clery geography in the Crime Log
  • Submit any hazing incidents included in the Annual Security Report to the U.S. Department of Education via the annual Campus Safety and Security Survey
• Make prevention and awareness programs that are research-informed available to all faculty, staff, and students
• Publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes the findings of Hazing that cause any Student Organization established or recognized by the University to be in violation of the policy in a prominent location on the public website and ensure that it is updated at least twice a year.

Reporting Incidents of Hazing

Incidents of hazing can be reported to any Campus Security Authority or anonymously by texting +1-806-454-7867.