Hazing Policy

Section 51.936 (c) of the Texas Education Code requires Dallas Baptist University to publish and distribute each semester a summary of the Texas Hazing Law, subchapter F, Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code, and a list of organizations that have been disciplined for hazing or convicted of hazing on or off the campus of the institution during the preceding three years. In compliance with this law, DBU provides the following information:

The University and Texas law prohibits hazing. Under the law, individuals or organizations engaging in hazing could be subject to fines and charged with a criminal offense. According to the law, a person can commit a hazing offense not only by engaging in a hazing activity, but also by soliciting, directing, encouraging, aiding or attempting to aid another in hazing; by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly allowing hazing to occur; or by failing to report, in writing to the Dean of Students or another appropriate official of the institution, first-hand knowledge that a hazing incident is planned or has occurred. The fact that a person consented to or acquiesced in a hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution for hazing under this law.

In an effort to encourage reporting of hazing incidents, the law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person who reports a specific hazing event in good faith and without malice and immunizes that person from participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report. At DBU, such reports should be delivered to the Dean of Students.

The definition of hazing in the Texas Education Code will be used as the definition at Dallas Baptist University. "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 any organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution if the act:

  1. is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance in or on the body or similar activity;
  2. involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, 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 food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance, other than as described by paragraph (F), that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
  4. that is any activity that:
    1. a reasonable person would believe intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution; or
    2. may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to the activity.
  5. is any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code; or
  6. involves coercing, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, the student to consume an alcoholic beverage, liquor, or drug.

A "student" includes an individual registered or in attendance at an educational institution, an individual accepted for admission at an educational institution, or an individual who is on vacation from an educational institution and intends to attend that institution during any of its regular sessions after that period of vacation.

Failure to comply with specific provisions of the law will result in criminal penalties and fines not to exceed $10,000 or two years in prison. The specific penalty imposed for a hazing offense depends on the seriousness of the offense and whether or not bodily injury or death to an individual resulted from the hazing incident.

Copies of the entire hazing bill approved by the Texas Legislature may be obtained in the Office of Student Affairs located in the Global Missions Center Room 213.

DBU Honor Code

This law does not affect or in any way limit the right of the University to enforce its own rules against hazing or alcohol under its Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. As a member of the University family of Dallas Baptist University, DBU students pledge to uphold the character, honor, and integrity of themselves, fellow students, and our Heavenly Father to the highest moral and ethical standard. As students grow in their understanding of servant leadership, they promise to abide by all university policies and procedures. Students should not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate this behavior in others. Students pledge to confront and report any attempt to undermine the success of the academic community at DBU.

Disciplined Organizations

No organizations have been disciplined for hazing and/or convicted for hazing, on or off-campus, during the preceding three years.

To report an act of hazing to the Student Affairs office, you may email studentaffairs@dbu.edu or visit the office in the Sadler Global Missions Center Room 213.