The University of Houston (UH) helps students gain the knowledge and confidence required for success after graduation. As the flagship institution of the UH System, it's responsible for tens of thousands of undergraduates, graduates, staff, and faculty members. To uphold its mission to promote safety and security on campus, Houston takes a fastidious approach to managing hazing allegations.
Houston's campus officials have the authority to investigate any and all hazing claims, impose emergency suspensions, and take away any privilege or honor earned as sanctions. Since even false hazing accusations can threaten a student's education and future, those accused must retain professional assistance.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team stands ready to be your best chance to remain discipline-free. We will leverage our extensive experience in student defense matters to ensure you remain enrolled and aligned with graduation goals. Call us at 888-535-3686 now or visit our confidential consultation form.
How Does the University of Houston Define Hazing?
Houston's hazing policy includes "intentional" and "reckless" acts. They occur on or off the campus for "pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership" in a student organization. At Houston, hazing typically fits into the following categories:
- Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, and placing harmful substances on the body
- Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or others that present an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect mental or physical health or safety
- Consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drugs, or other substances that present physical or mental harm
- Forced violations of the student code of conduct
Consent to or compliance with hazing activities is not a defense. Moreover, any of the following activities are presumed to be "compelled activities," regardless of the individual's willingness:
- Morally degrading or humiliating games where an individual is the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation
- Transporting individuals against their will or abandoning them at distant locations
- Causing an individual to be indecently exposed or uncovered in the elements
- Requiring an individual to remain in a fixed position for extended periods
- "Line-ups" involving intense shouting of obscenities or insults
- Compelled participation in activities that encourage theft or property destruction
- Exclusion from social contact for prolonged periods of time
- Forced acts of personal servitude
Despite the myriad of activities under hazing designation, the practice doesn't include college-sponsored ones, such as athletic traditions. All campus community members with "firsthand knowledge of the planning or actual occurrence" of a hazing activity must "promptly report" to the Dean of Students Office.
Notice of Investigation into Hazing Allegations
When the Dean of Students Office receives hazing allegations, it performs a preliminary review. Upon substantiating the possibility of a violation of its code of conduct, it sends a referral notice to the accused (respondent). The notice contains the allegations presented, the student's rights and responsibilities, and a Respondent Disciplinary Choice Form (RDCF).
Students must contact the Hearing Officer within five business days of receiving the notice. They must also fill out the RCDF, choosing a hearing before the University Hearing Board (UHB) or a more informal disciplinary conference with the Hearing Officer.
Disciplinary Conference
Students receive another notice three days before the conference informing them of the time and place. Respondents are entitled to be accompanied and assisted by an advisor, who may be an attorney. They can address the Hearing Officer, but only with the officer's permission.
The Hearing Officer will investigate the complaint, including but not limited to reviewing incident reports, witness statements, and interviews. Before they render a decision, the respondent can reply to any new information obtained by the Hearing Officer during the investigation. If students agree to admit responsibility for the allegations during a disciplinary conference, decisions and sanctions are non-appealable. If respondents disagree with the officer's determination, they can proceed to the UHB.
UHB Hearing Procedures and Sanctions
The Hearing Officer or a designee may present the case for the university or the accuser (complainant). Hearings are held in two parts: determining violations and recommending sanctions.
Respondents, complainants, and UHB members may examine the written evidence offered and may question all witnesses. The board chair determines the length of any witness testimony and when it's heard. After the presentations, the UHB deliberates the violation stage in a closed session. All decisions regarding responsibility for the allegations are made with the preponderance of the evidence standard.
During sanctioning, the board considers the respondent's prior disciplinary record, motivation, and the potential for re-offense. In a majority vote, the UHB recommends corrective action and forwards the information to the Hearing Officer. Within seven business days, the officer notifies the respondent of the final action and corresponds with the Dean of Students Office.
Although it's not an exhaustive list, Houston can levy the following punishments for hazing:
- Written Warning: informs students of Houston's disapproval of their actions and may be removed from the student's record at a later date.
- Reprimand: an official written notification retained in a student's disciplinary file.
- Disciplinary Probation: a period when the student is subject to conditions for remaining enrolled. This can also include provisions for a deferred suspension.
- Suspension: a temporary ban from Houston and required to reapply for readmission.
- Expulsion: a permanent ban from enrollment and all university activities.
Since hazing typically involves student groups, the hearing body can sanction organizations. Houston may ban the group's activity on campus for one or more semesters and ban them from acting in any official or unofficial capacity. Furthermore, each institution of higher education in Texas must publish or distribute a list of disciplined student organizations convicted of hazing on or off campus during the previous three years.
UH Students Need the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team
Being accused of hazing can significantly disrupt student life and threaten future endeavors. Although Houston allows students to appeal the UHB's decisions, there is a narrow bandwidth of eligibility. When defending against serious hazing allegations, students need an experienced team of professionals.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team stands prepared to serve Houston students. Our team ensures students have their rights protected throughout the university grievance process and will exhaust all means of defense against hazing accusations. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 now or visit our confidential online consultation form, and we will contact you.
