The following information appears in compliance with the 1987 State of Texas Hazing Law:
Texas Hazing Law
Texas A&M University
On August 31, 1987, a new law went into effect in the State of Texas regarding HAZING. Below
is an abbreviated summary, in question and answer form, of the contents of that law and the
applicability and implications for students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M University. THIS IS
ONLY A SUMMARY. Certain points in the law have been omitted in this summary for editorial
purposes. For the full text of the law, please see Appendix VI of the 1997-98 Student Rules.
What is the definition of Hazing?
"Hazing" means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus of
Texas A&M University, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that
endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being
initiated into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization
whose memberships are or include students at Texas A&M University. The term included but is
not limited to:
(a) Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic
shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
(b) Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements,con
finement in a small place, calisthenics, or other activities that subjects the student to an unrea
sonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the stu
dent.
(c) Any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or
other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely
affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
(d) Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the stu
dent extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dig
nity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an edu
cational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organi
zation or the institution rather than submit to acts described in the subsection.
(e) Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which
involves a violation of the penal code.
In addition, Texas A&M University has also defined hazing to include:
(a) Misuse of authority by virtue of your class rank or leadership position.
(b) Any form of physical bondage.
(c) Any form of “Quadding”.
How do I commit a hazing offense?
A person commits an offense if the person:
(a) Engages in hazing
(b) Solicits, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing.
(c) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur.
(d) Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student
of Texas A&M University, or firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred,
and knowingly fails to report said knowledge in writing to the appropriate University official.
Does it matter if I did not intend to hurt anyone?
No. Texas A&M's policies state that if one of the above occurs, it is HAZING, regardless of
the intent.
Does it matter if the person being hazing agrees to the activity?
No. The new law and Texas A&M's policies state that if one above occurs, it is HAZING,
regardless of the consent or cooperation of the recipient.
What is the penalty if I am found guilty of hazing?
(a) Failing to report hazing:
Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail.
(b) Hazing resulting in no serious bodily injury:
Fine of $500 to $1,000 and/or 90-180 days in jail.
(c) Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury:
Fine of $1,000 - $5,000 and/or 180 days to 1 year in jail.
(d) Hazing resulting in death:
Fine of $5,00 - $10,000 and/or 1-2 years in jail.
(e) Except where the hazing results in death, the student may be required to perform com
munity service in lieu of confinement in jail.
(f) The student may also be subject to University disciplinary action, up to and including
removal from the University, in addition to or regardless of any penalty imposed by the state.
Can an organization be found guilty of hazing?
Yes. An Organization commits an offense 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.
Can I get into trouble for reporting hazing?
No. Any person who reports a specific hazing incident involving a student to an appropriate
University official is protected from civil or criminal liability. However, a person who reports in bad
faith or with malice is not protected by this section.
Where do I report hazing?
Office of the Commandant (845-2811) if the hazing was committed by members of the
Corps of Cadets.
Department of Student Activities (845-1133) if the hazing was committed by members of
a Greek organization or other recognized student organization.
Student Judicial Affairs Office (845-5262) all other incidents of hazing.
The following information appears in compliance with the 1987 state of Texas Hazing Law shown
above:
Student Organization Hazing Violations:
Organization name: Alpha Kappa Psi
Date of Incident: February 28, 1995
Description of Incident: Subjecting pledges to activities that “intimidates or threatens the student
with ostracism, that subjects the student to mental stress, shame or humiliation, or that adverse
ly affects the mental health or dignity of the student". Pledges were blindfolded, led into a room
and told to kneel; when the blindfolds were removed they found bowls of ice cream and no uten
sils and were told to eat the ice cream. Pledges were subjected to ridicule by active members
as they attempted to eat the ice cream in this manner. Some pledges were told the ice cream
contained alcohol although it did not.
Action Taken: The chapter was put on a one year probation. They must revise the chapter
pledge program and submit it to the Department of Student Activities. The chapter was also
required to sponsor an educational program on Texas Hazing Laws and University policies.
Organization name: Company P-2, Texas A&M University Corp of Cadets
Date of Incident: Fall 1995 Semester and earlier
Description of Incident: It had become "company policy" for cadets of the sophomore class to be
hit periodically by a junior cadet for “motivational purposes". Additionally, other cadets were
sometimes hit with an ax handle for “passing down” positions or for similar reasons. Refusal to
accept licks was allowed, but few declined.
Action Taken: University hearings were held for those individuals involved with sanctions rang
ing from University suspension for two semesters to multiple Corps disciplinary actions.
Company P-2 was placed on Conduct Probation and most of the leadership was replaced.
Organization name: Pi Kappa Alpha
Date of Incident: February, 1996
Description of Incident: Activities that included, but were not limited to forced exercise, sleep
deprivation, forced ingestion of inedible mixtures, exposure to the elements, forced work.
Action Taken: Fraternity on a 2 year probation through Spring 1998; meetings with Greek affairs
staff 2 times per semester throughout probation; sponsor and fund an outside speaker on posi
tive pledge programming for Greek community; 400 hours of community service to be complet
ed by 75% of chapter membership by Spring 1996; semester report for each pledge class and
risk management program; written letter of apology to landowner where hazing took place.
Organization name: Kappa Alpha Order
Date of Incident: October 14, 1996
Description of Incident: Pledges were taken to a remote location late at night and forced to
undergo a “lineup" that included forced exercises, such as push ups, calisthenics, and army low
crawl in the dark. Pledges were denied any water, were subjected to degrading confrontations
by activities and were physically “manhandled" - pushed to the ground or picked up forcefully.
One encounter resulted in severe injury, hospitalization and emergency surgery of a pledge.
Action Taken: Fraternity suspended until Fall, 1999 - a joint decision of the University and the
fraternity’s national headquarters.
Organization name: Company B-2, Corp of Cadets
Date of Incident: Fall Semester, 1996
Description of Incident: At the unit Christmas party, an upperclass member of the company
hazed freshmen members by giving them single “licks” with an ax handle. Alcohol was also pro
vided to minors and inappropriate skits which bordered on sexual harassment were performed.
Action Taken: Hearings were held for all involved and individual sanctions were assigned. A
number of the members left the Corps and others were dispersed to new companies. The unit
was disbanded and is no longer a part of the Corps of Cadets.
Organization name: Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity
Date of Incident: January 8, 1997
Description of Incident: During pre-semester work week activities, pledges were forced to par
ticipate in calisthenics, an outdoor line up where they were hosed down, forced to hold push-up
positions and participate in other activities that subjected them to potential harm. Pledges were
forced to wear demeaning attire and to violate IFC alcohol policies.
Action Taken: After appeal, the fraternity was suspended until Fall semester, 1999. The same
sanction was applied by the national fraternity headquarters.
Organization name: Fish Drill Team, Corp of Cadets
Date of Incident: Spring Semester 1997
Description of Incident: Members of the Fish Drill Team were subjected to acts of hazing and
physical assault by the nine upperclassmen who served as advisors (instructors) for the team.
Specific actions occurred periodically throughout the semester and took place during drill prac
tice as well as during night visits to individual fish (freshman) rooms.
Action Taken: University hearings were held for all involved, including those advisors from pre
vious years who were still enrolled in the University. Sanctions ranged from expulsion to
deferred suspension. The Fish Drill Team itself was suspended for an indefinite period.
September 1. 1994 through
August 31. 1995
Outcomes of Individual Hazing Cases
September 1,1995 through
August 31. 1996
September 1. 1996 through
August 31. 1997
Tetal Cases: 44
Total Cases: 44
Total Cases: 66
Suspension
Deferred Suspension
Conduct Probation
Removal from Housing
Deferred Removal from Housing
Hall Probation
Letter of Reprimand
Warning
Censure
Suspension
Deferred Suspension
Conduct Probation
Letter of Reprimand
Registration Block
No Action*
Expulsion
Dismissal
Suspension
Deferred Suspension
Conduct Probation
Letter of Reprimand
Warning
Registration Block
No Action*
1
4
7
6
9
27
2
*Nc Action indicates that the student was not found to be responsible for the charges initiated.
c
The Battalion
AMPUS
Monday • October 20
Thompson
Continued from Page 1
“We’ve already proven in this last decade we cannot
build prison beds fast enough,” he said. “We need to
send more people to school and less to prison. It costs
$32,000 to maintain one person in prison a year. That’s
a fairly good load for the taxpayers.”
Teni Parker, director of communications for the Sys
tem, said Thompson constantly is working for students.
“Students are definitely his No. 1 concern,” she
said. “He strongly believes education is the key to
success and life.”
Thompson was born in the small West Texas town
of Kermit and has seen firsthand the downfalls of a
lack of education.
“I grew up in a very geographically isolated
part of the state,” he said. “Ninety percent of the
people there have never even been out of the
state. You find people who don’t believe a man has
been on the moon and often only have a sixth-
grade education.”
Thompson said the System must continue set
ting goals and must not be satisfied with the sta
tus quo.
“I think we need to take on a broader view of ed
ucation,” he said. “Some of us seem to be provincial,
and some of us might not be aware of the global
changes. Education has always been a challenge in
a capitalistic free enterprise system.”
Thompson said his belief in goal-setting goes
back to his days growing up in Hubbard, Texas.
It was there, he said, that his grandmothers en
couraged his confident personality.
“I had very strong-willed grandmothers and
great-grandmothers,” he said. “They really believed
that I could do anything.”
Thompson also learned to travel at an early age,
moving from Texas to New Mexico to California.
“My father was a naval officer in World Wai‘ II,” he said,
“and I learned to ride the transcontinental railroad.”
As chancellor, Thompson travels throughout Texas
to meet with various groups and state representatives.
“I have 11 to 20 appointments each week,” he
said. “We have ag commodity groups, county judges,
city councilmen and state leaders. There really isn’t
a typical week.”
Thompson, who received his doctorate in sociol
ogy from Texas A&M, said the past three years have
been a fast learning process.
“In the last 38 months, I have learned more in a short
amount of time than I have ever learned,” he said. “It’s
been a very compressed, fascinating education.”
Childers
Continued from Page 1
During high school, Childers
participated in student council and
National Honor Society. He also
played saxophone in the band.
Childers said the person who
had the most influence on him
was his agriculture teacher, who
also was the adviser of FFA, an
agricultural youth organization.
“He took me, as well as many oth
er students, to conventions and con
tests outside of Glen Rose,” he said.
‘As a freshman in high school, he en
couraged me to run for office in the
FFA, and I became the greenhand
(freshman) president. He believed in
me, and believed that I could really
accomplish something.”
After high school, Childers
said, he gained valuable experi
ence as.he traveled for two years
as the state and then national
president of the FFA.
Alice Gonzalez, speaker of the
Student Senate and a junior agri
cultural development major, said
she has known Childers through
FFA since she was a freshman in
high school. She said Childers was
famous in the FFA.
“I find it ironic that in college I
found myself speaking for him at
meetings when he was running for
student body president,” she said.
“I was behind his campaign be
cause I knew he had something
new to offer Texas A&M students.
He has accomplished everything I
knew he could and so much more.”
Childers said on his first visit to
A&M, for FFA competitions, he
met Joe Townsend, associate dean
of the College of Agriculture.
“Joe Townsend remembered
my name and personal things
about me, like my SAT score, my
office in FFA and what I was in
volved in at school,” he said. “It
was that personal contact more
than anything that made me
choose Texas A&M.”
Childers said he loves the Uni
versity because Aggies are devot
ed to the school.
“No other university instills
such pride in its students,” he
said. “Maybe big football schools,
but it isn’t the university people
feel strongly about, it is the athlet
ic program.”
As student body president,
Childers said he provides an im
portant link between students and
the University administration.
“I ensure that students are in
on decisions,” he said. “Some
one with a student perspective
must be looking out for student
needs. I could not really accom
plish anything alone, but all the
student representatives involved
around campus contribute.”
Childers said he is excited about
the future of A&M and sees the
graduate enrollment increasing and
a more diverse student body.
“I think that in the future the Uni
versity will begin to evaluate the im
pact of traditions on students and
make sure every student under
stands and gets the opportunity to
take part in our traditions,” Childers
said. “Not eveiy student has experi
enced the traditions of Texas A&M
which is significant because they are
not getting the best education they
can get and they won’t be able to
promote A&M as well.”
Childers will graduate in De
cember of 1998. He wants to
work for an agricultural compa
ny in marketing or public rela
tions, but looks forward to start
ing his own company and
working independently.
Corridor
/[one
Continued from Pagel
Visitors to the Bush LM
Museum may travel down 1)1
and connect to either FM2|_
I Iwy 6 to arrive at the library"
The Bryan-College Station
her of Commerce reported ,
that more than 300,000vista
pected to tour the libraryanc
um in the next year. |iAN 11A
The lack of continuot ga norr
lane access keeps the aret ijlher t
contention for many busir n g as gtat
portunities, proponen wea iyof
widened highway accesss; q Ui
Tim Lomax, a researche^YVjIdea
with the Texas Transportatit jjj Aver t
tute at A&M, said when mi j (ook ;
turing businesses thatrequi r f oirnan
ping consider differentcit 3 j (1>cas ^
businesses look at whether j n m
has four-lane access toanin Bishop r
highway. d threw!
“It’s not a typical questior, ^e winn
uncongested is yourtwo-lar. “p,.’ s the
way or is it adequate orisitfou’ve seen
most of the way,” he said, ruyen sai
analyses don’t always get dor ’ u can’t st
He said businesses wan Bishop
able to provide a reliableestir||ed the
travel time. Better estima ;sion41:2
possible with a four-lane [ Jy37 offe
cause, in case of an accide; A week ,
and trucks could go around mce of tl
abled vehicles instead ofbei iyed its v\
up until the accident is clear The p r j r
“You don't want your trav fen se wa
to be an hour plus or minus!fi |()nly t
utes,” he said. a do for 2i
Lomax said if not ford ;swere hr
lane roads, Bryan-CollegeNs. It wast
would be a more desirabli(ansas St
ness location, particularly: Seniorrij
houses one of the nations Idnotbel
colleges and plenty of intei “Theyh;
talent. eywereg
“I think the feeling is thai y said. “I
a lot more we can doasact yand th
nity to capitalize on that tale at our off
said. “There are businessop by any n
nities that we’re missing out™
Proponents cite safety corpit
as well as business reasons foil
ing a four-lane highwayintoaof
town where students areccffil
using the two-lane roads.
Backers cite Department!)!
lie Safety statistics showinf
than 600 accidents on theroacj
tween 1990 and 1996,
300 of those resulting ini
Weather Outlook
a handful involving deaths. , rnnnf i h
The Chamber of ConffiW-
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Mostly cloudy
High: 61 0
Low: 45°
Showers
High: 66°
Low: 44°
Scattered T-storms
High: 83°
Low: 64°
yHlegeV
says Bryan-College Statior.| ansas
largest metropolitan area 3 j oc k s f rc
United States without contir.j| rs j (v c .
four-lane highway access. wi ev ille
The two congressmen ^ ea t a t
districts include the areahavt||L ar j ors
trying to get federal money:
four-lane project.
5-
si
TV
1
FEN-PHEN
REDCIX-POMDIMIN-(DEX)FENFLURAMINE
UNDISCLOSED DANGERS
SERIOUS HEALTH QUESTIONS
GET STRAIGHT ANSWERS
800-447-6443
PEARSON & PEARSgN, P.C.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW HOOSTON, TEXAS.
SOME CASES LIKELY REFERRED OR WORKED JOINTLY.
NOT CERTIFIED TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION.
ALPHA PHI
a social sorority
.nance,
hangedt
-e kno
OOl Wc
M schc
wever,
aring (
%
gs
Would like to announce
our Fall Membership Selections
Tues.. Oct. 21 st :
8 Wed.. Oct.
•?>» 3
si
22 ,,d :
•7
Koldus Rm. 110 • 7:30pm
* Informational
MSC Downstairs • 7:00pm
* Bowling, Billiards, and games
Thurs.. Oct 23 l<l : Kyle Field Press Box
|Z **By Invitation Only**
Be a part of a unique and growing tradition at Texas A0\
For more information please call 846-7188
mt
J. WAYNE STARK NORTHEAST TRIP
AND
WEST COAST TRIP
JANUARY 11-18, 1998
Visit the nation's top business and law schools such as:
Northwestern, Harvard, NYU, and Columbia
or
USC, UCLA, Thunderbird, and Stanford
Informational Meetings:
Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. in 223J MSC
Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. in 21 6T MSC
Applications will be available on Monday, October 13
in the Student Programs Office
For more information, contact Paul Henry at 845-6790
or Amy Callaway at 693-1 999
<b^ If you have any special needs, please cal
us at 845-6790 to inform us of these needs.
J ,—M^ 1—£—Li
iMBAfflLAWl
COMMITTUU S,
Bowling
Tournament
i
Come on
out and
have a ball!
October 23 at 7 PM - 10 fH
at Hullabaloo in the
ith ch
round, Te
■runner
Memorial Student Center p
$5 Entry Fee
itational c
2ld helper
nd place
'ehind We
TP'Last w
viietformar
-fr Brought to you by MSC NOVA. f;„ llnce(l t
V ’ ' “ • : eld said.
Persons with disabilities, please call us at 845-1515 so that we may best assist youattltf'’ addle. T
■ — - .^yhen you
''pining. A
PROFITABLE NUMBER! 845-0569*™““
The Battalion Classified Advertising n f e mid.
bg really \