Anti-Hazing Laws

Policy

TCC strictly prohibits all forms of hazing. This policy applies to any hazing activity associated with the College, whether it occurs on or off campus.

Students, student organizations, and employees are expected to uphold a safe and respectful academic environment. Engaging in or facilitating hazing will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the College and possible criminal charges.

It is the shared responsibility of the College community to prevent hazing and promote a culture of integrity and accountability.

Hazing and Related Definitions

What is hazing under federal law?

The following definition of “hazing” is provided in federal law (20 U.S.C. § 1092):

• (vi) The term "hazing", for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv), means 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:
  • (I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  • (II) 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:
    • (aa) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
    • (bb) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    • (cc) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • (dd) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    • (ee) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    • (ff) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
    • (gg) 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.

Learn more in Title 20, Section 1092 of the U.S. Code.

How does TCC define hazing?

TCC Student Code of Conduct defines "hazing" as outlined in FLBC (LEGAL):

"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 if the act:

1. Is 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, 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. Education Code 37.151(6); 51.936(a)

How does TCC define an organization?

TCC Student Code of Conduct defines "organization" as outlined in FLBC (LEGAL):

“Organization” means a fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club, or student government, a band or musical group or an academic, athletic, cheerleading, or dance team, including any group or team that participates in National Collegiate Athletic Association competition, or a service, social, or similar group, whose members are primarily students. Education Code 37.151(5); 51.936(a).

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. Education Code 37.153(a), 51.936(a).

Read FLBC (LEGAL) and FLBC (LOCAL) for more information.

Stop Campus Hazing Act Transparency Report

Academic Year 2025-2026

TCC has received no reports of hazing from September 2018 to date.

Any future incidents will be documented on the report table above. The report is updated annually or at the end of each semester if a hazing incident occurs.

About the Stop Campus Hazing Act Transparency Report

The following details must be included in the report:

• the name of the organization disciplined or convicted;
• the date on which the incident occurred or citation was issued;
• the date on which the institution’s investigation into the incident, if any, was initiated;
• a general description of:
  • the incident;
  • the violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct or criminal charges as applicable;
  • the finding(s) of the institution or court; and
  • any sanctions imposed by the institution or fines imposed by the courts on the organization; and
• The date on which the institution’s disciplinary process was resolved or on which the conviction became final.

Report Hazing

You are strongly urged to report hazing activities you are aware of through one of the college’s designated channels.

To report incidents of hazing or other concerning behavior, please submit an incident report. You can also contact the Director of Student Conduct and Prevention Education at your campus.

If this is an EMERGENCY (immediate risk of self-harm/harm to others or a crime):

• CALL the TCC Police Department at 817-515-8911, or
• DIAL 5-8911 from a campus phone

Administrative Conduct Procedures

Any member of the College District community, including but not limited to students, faculty, administrators, staff, and others shall be permitted to submit a report regarding a respondent for an alleged violation of College District policies and rules or other types of misconduct.

See FFDA for instances involving reports of sexual and/or gender-based misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual violence (nonconsensual sexual contact and non-consensual sexual intercourse) sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, aiding or facilitating the commission of a violation and retaliation targeting students, including claims against other students, employees, and third parties.

See FFDB for instances involving reports of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation involving other protected characteristics.

The College’s administrative conduct procedures may involve up to three steps, as noted below:

1. Step 1: Investigation
2. Step 2: Administrative Conference
3. Step 3: Appeal (if requested)

While the administrative conduct procedures set forth in this document do not constitute legal proceedings, the College seeks to provide involved parties with due process as required by law. Any involved party needing accommodations for administrative conduct proceedings should submit requests to the administrative investigator.

You can find more information in the 2025–2026 TCCD Student Handbook.

Reports of Alleged Policy Violation(s)

Reports of alleged policy violation(s) shall be submitted to the administrative investigator within a reasonable time frame following an incident. The reports may be submitted in writing, through the online reporting form and should include relevant information and facts.

Step 1: Investigation

An investigation will be conducted to gather and examine information to help determine the merits of the reported behavior.

Any party associated with the reported behavior may be interviewed as part of the investigation process. All involved parties will have the opportunity to provide the names of relevant witnesses to be contacted as part of the investigation. The respondent shall cooperate with the College’s information gathering process. This shall include the expectation to respond to e-mail correspondence, appear if requested, and/or respond truthfully to questions asked by College officials.

Educational Conversation

If the reported behavior is concerning but does not appear to be a violation (e.g. an incident which occurs outside of the College’s jurisdiction, or repeated low-level behaviors), there may still be an institutional response without formal conduct charges. The respondent may be asked to meet to discuss the situation, be requested to participate in a mediated conversation, and/or may receive a letter regarding the concerning behavior.

Informal Resolution Meeting

The respondent will participate in an informal resolution meeting as part of the investigation. During this meeting, the following information will be reviewed:

• the respondent’s rights and responsibilities
• the alleged violation(s)
• information that was provided as the basis for the alleged policy violation(s), which may be  partially redacted if necessary
• the perspective of the respondent as it pertains to the alleged violation(s)
• resolution options

Additionally, the administrative investigator will be able to answer any questions regarding student conduct policies and procedures. The respondent is responsible for determining how they would like to proceed in the process. Finally, the administrative investigator may provide a range of sanctions that may apply given the alleged violation(s) but cannot ensure any specific outcome.

Informal Resolution

In instances in which the respondent accepts responsibility for violating the Code of Conduct, the respondent may agree to an Informal Resolution. If a respondent accepts responsibility for violating College policy, the respondent will be informed of the recommended sanction(s). If the respondent accepts responsibility for violating College policy and agrees to the sanction(s) recommended, then the respondent may waive their right to an Administrative Conference and complete the recommended sanction(s) through an Informal Resolution. Once the respondent agrees with the terms of the Informal Resolution, the outcome (decision of responsibility and recommended sanction(s)) is final and is not eligible to be appealed.

In instances in which an Informal Resolution is not utilized, the initial student conduct report, the results of the investigation, and all supporting documentation shall be submitted for consideration and resolution as part of the student conduct administrative conference process.

Responsible Action Protocol

The College recognizes that a student’s concern for potential disciplinary action related to alcohol, drugs, and other substances may hinder the student’s actions in response to a medical emergency.

In order to alleviate those concerns and ensure that students and their guests receive prompt medical attention, the College has adopted the following Responsible Action Protocol:

• Students are urged to contact emergency officials by calling the College Police Department at (817) 515-8911 or 911 to report the incident, to remain with the individual(s) needing emergency treatment and cooperate with emergency officials, so long as it is safe to do so, and to meet with appropriate College officials after the incident and cooperate with any College investigation.
• Students who seek emergency medical attention for themselves or others related to the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances will not face disciplinary action for their personal use provided that the student completes an educational program or activity; however, this protocol does not provide protection for disciplinary action for other potential policy violations (e.g. damage and/or destruction of property, failure to comply, physical violence, sexual misconduct, etc.).
• Student groups or recognized student organizations who seek emergency medical attention for their members or guests related to the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances will not face disciplinary actions for incidents involving alcohol, drugs, or other substances provided that the group or organization followed the event and risk management procedures as outlined by Student Activities and other College Policies, and provided that the group or organization completes an educational program or activity; however, this protocol does not provide protection for disciplinary action for other potential policy violations (e.g. damage and/or destruction of property, failure to comply, hazing, physical violence, sexual misconduct, etc.).
• The Responsible Action Protocol applies only to those students, student groups, and recognized student organization who seek emergency medical assistance in connection with an alcohol, drug, or other substance related medical emergency and does not apply to individuals experiencing an alcohol, drug, or other substance-related medical emergency who are found by College officials.
• The Responsible Action Protocol is not intended to shield or protect those students, student groups, or recognized student organizations that repeatedly violate College policy. In cases, where repeated policy violations occur, the College reserves the right to take disciplinary action regardless of the manner in which the incident was reported. Additionally, the College reserves the right to initiate the administrative conduct process in cases in which the violation(s) are egregious.
• The Responsible Action Protocol only provides amnesty from violations of TCC policy. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or other legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
• Administrative Conduct Authority will make a determination regarding eligibility for amnesty under the Responsible Action Protocol during the initial review or investigation FKC (LEGAL) and FKC (LOCAL).

Unfounded Allegations

As a result of the investigation process, and if it is determined that the respondent did not commit the alleged policy violation or reported misconduct, the conduct case shall be dismissed as unfounded. The respondent will be provided written notice of the dismissal by College District e-mail.

Step 2: Administrative Conference

Once the investigation has been completed, and if the respondent did not enter a mutual resolution, an administrative conference will be scheduled. The respondent will receive a minimum of five (5) College District business days’ notice of the administrative conference, unless the respondent waives this right or extenuating circumstances exist.

The written notice to the respondent regarding the administrative conference will include the following:

• The administrative conference date, time, and location;
• Notice that the administrative conference does not constitute a legal proceeding and that legal counsel will not be provided;
• Notice of the respondent’s rights and responsibilities;
  • The respondent may be accompanied during the administrative procedures by an advisor of the respondent’s choice. The advisor may only speak to the respondent and will not directly address the administrative authority.
  • The respondent will be provided a copy of an investigation summary report prior to administrative conference. The summary report will contain relevant information that will be used in determining the outcome.
  • The respondent will be provided the range of disciplinary sanction(s) that may be assigned.
  • The respondent will have the right to request an appeal of the decision made.
• Communication to the respondent that the respondent must provide notice if the respondent intends to have an attorney serve as an adviser during the administrative conference. The notice must be submitted in writing no less than three College District business days before the administrative conference is scheduled to occur. In these instances, it will be arranged for a College District attorney to also be present during the administrative conference. The College District will have the authority to postpone the administrative conference, if necessary.

The conduct administrator will facilitate the administrative conference. There may be circumstances where additional College District officials are asked to be present at the administrative conference.

During the administrative conference, the conduct administrator shall review the allegations and give the respondent an opportunity to view the supporting documentation, share their perspective on the reported behavior, and submit other information and supporting documentation for consideration (if applicable). The administrative conference procedures will be audio recorded and will be the only audio recording allowed. If requested, a copy will be provided to the respondent at their own expense.

After the administrative conference, the conduct administrator may find that the respondent did violate a policy based on a preponderance of the evidence. If the conduct administrator finds that the respondent violated a policy, disciplinary sanctions will be assigned. Sanctions will be appropriate to the current violation(s) and in consideration of any prior conduct history and/or mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

The respondent and complainant (if applicable) will be notified of the outcome of the administrative conference via their College e-mail within five (5) College business days, unless extenuating circumstances exist. If an outcome is unable to be reached within five (5) College business days, the respondent and the complainant (if applicable) will be notified of the delay via College e-mail.

Failure to Appear for Conference

If the respondent and/or the complainant (if applicable), without adequate notice, do not attend the administrative conference, the conduct procedures may occur in their absence. No other opportunity for an administrative conference may be provided for a respondent and/or complainant (if applicable) that fails to appear without good cause.

Step 3: Appeal (if requested)

Any respondent, wishing to appeal the outcome must submit an appeal request within five (5) College business days of the date of the outcome letter. An appeal must be submitted in writing, through the online appeal form, to the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs via the online appeal form.

An appeal does not provide for a second administrative conference. An appeal is an administrative review that addresses one or more issues outlined below.

Ground for Appeal

Appeals may be submitted to the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs on one or more of the following grounds:

• The established administrative procedures were not followed and as a result, the findings or disciplinary sanctions imposed were not correct; and/or
• There is new information that would have been pertinent to the outcome had the information been available to the conduct administrator before delivering a finding or assigning disciplinary sanctions. The respondent must clearly describe the new information in the written request for an appeal and must include any available supporting documentation. Additionally, the respondent must show that the new information and supporting documentation was not known at the time of the administrative conference.

The office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will be responsible for evaluating the content of the appeal request. Any conduct authorities involved in the facilitation of the administrative conference are unable to participate in the review of an appeal request.

The office of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall provide the respondent a written response setting forth the basis of any decision. Every effort will be made to send follow-up correspondence to the respondent within ten (10) College business days.

Upon review of the record, the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs may respond as follows:

• Determine that the appeal does not meet the ground(s) outlined above, in which case the original decision stands;
• Determine that the appeal meets the ground(s) outlined and remand the case back to the original conduct administrator to consider new information or reevaluate previous information;
• Determine that the appeal meets the ground(s) outlined above and remand the case to a new conduct administrator with specific corrective instructions.
• Determine that the sanction(s) is/are inappropriate for the violation and recommend the sanction(s) being modified by the conduct administrator;

Notice to Complainants

The decision of the campus Vice President of Student Affairs is final.

In some instances, the complainant will also be notified regarding the status of a relevant administrative procedures, including any decision made by the conduct administrator in accordance with local, state, and/or federal law.

Notice Regarding Procedures

Student Conduct administrative procedures are consistent with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook. Any deviation from these procedures will only be made as necessary and will include reasonable advance notice to the parties involved, either by posting online and/or in the form of written communication. Student conduct administrators may adjust procedures with notice, upon determining that changes to law or regulation require policy or procedural alterations that are not reflected in policy. A student conduct administrator may make minor modifications to procedure that do not significantly jeopardize the fairness owed to any party. Any question of interpretation of the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to the Director of Student Conduct and Prevention Education or designee, whose interpretation is final. The Student Handbook will be updated annually under the direction of the Vice Chancellor and Provost, with a comprehensive revision process being conducted every 3 years.

Sanctions

The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon any respondent found to have violated College District policy, see FLB (LOCAL/LEGAL). This list is not exhaustive. All disciplinary sanctions are cumulative, and the previous conduct history of the respondent shall be considered when issuing a disciplinary sanction. Disciplinary sanctions are also subject to enhancement based on the severity of the behavior and the impact on the College District community. More than one disciplinary sanction can be imposed for any single violation.

• Reprimand: A written notice given to a respondent explaining that the respondent has engaged in misconduct or violated College District policy or institutional regulations. Repeated incidents of misconduct or violations of College District policy or institutional regulations can result in more severe disciplinary action.
• Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to, or misuse of property. Reimbursement may take the form of appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damage.
• Scholastic Penalties: The assignment of a failing grade on an assignment or examination or in a course by an instructor based on scholastic dishonesty including cheating, collusion and plagiarism committed by a student. The instructor will submit a written report of the incident and of the planned action to the instructor’s dean.
• Disciplinary Probation: A written reprimand for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions including suspension or expulsion, if the respondent is found to have engaged in additional violations during the probationary period.
• Disciplinary Suspension: Forced withdrawal from the College District for either a definite period of time or until stated conditions have been met. Normally, suspension shall extend through a minimum of one regular long semester (with summer sessions not counting in the one-semester minimum time lapse). However, suspension may exceed the one-semester minimum.
• Deferred Suspension: Establishes a fixed period of time, allowing the respondent to complete the current academic term or semester. While the student is allowed to remain enrolled, a recognized student organization is not permitted to represent the College or participate in any extracurricular activities. The specifics of the Deferred Suspension shall vary based upon the violation and circumstances for each respondent. Restrictions on the respondent shall include limiting participation in activities to those directly related to academic pursuits or the completion of academic requirements. This includes entering College District buildings or attending College District events. The College District shall have the authority to impose additional conditions, restrictions or sanctions during a deferred suspension.
• Disciplinary Expulsion: Permanent separation of the respondent from the College.
• Loss of Privileges: Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
• Administrative Withdrawal: Removal from an academic or non-credit bearing course as a result of disruptive or insubordinate behavior.
• Educational Disciplinary Sanctions: Work assignments, essays, service to the College District or other related discretionary assignments. At his or her discretion, the conduct authority shall have the authority to require that a respondent complete additional educational assignments such as essays or research papers or perform services for the College District.
• Revocation of Admission and/or Degree/Certificate: The College District shall have the authority to revoke a student’s admission or a degree or certificate for fraud, misrepresentation, violation of degree or certificate standards or other serious violations of conduct.
• Withholding Degree/Certificate: The College shall have the authority to withhold the awarding of a degree or certificate from a student who has otherwise earned the degree or certificate until the student has completed or satisfied all imposed disciplinary sanctions.
• No Trespass Order: A respondent suspended or expelled from the College District shall be issued a no-trespass order for the duration of the assigned sanction. Exceptions shall be made for suspensions, as noted above at items 5 and 6.
• No Communication/Contact Order: The College District shall have the authority to prohibit a respondent from engaging in personal contact and all forms of communication with other members of the College District community. This sanction shall be imposed primarily when such contact has the potential to lead to harassment, threats or other forms of unwanted interaction, or the College District believes there is a reasonable likelihood of additional conduct violations by the respondent.
• Withhold Official Records: The College District shall have the authority to block registration or withhold transcripts, grades, diplomas or other official records if the action is reasonably necessary to preserve the College District’s ability to enforce disciplinary rules.

Disciplinary sanctions shall be included in the disciplinary record of a student or recognized student organization. Other than an expulsion or the revocation or withholding of a degree or certificate, imposed disciplinary sanctions shall not be included in a student’s permanent academic record.

A student or recognized student organization shall be permitted to request that any disciplinary record, other than a suspension, expulsion, or revocation of a degree or certificate, be expunged after seven years. The request must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Development Services. If no request is submitted, the disciplinary record of a student or recognized student organization shall be maintained in accordance with the College District’s established records retention schedule.

Disciplinary sanctions of suspension, expulsion, or revocation of a degree or certificate shall not be removed from the disciplinary record of a student or recognized student organization.

Transcript Notation

The Texas Education Code (House Bill 449) requires institutions of higher education to include a “notation” on a student’s transcript when the student is ineligible to re-enroll in the institution for a reason other than an academic or financial reason. This encompasses all disciplinary action.

Hazing Prevention Education 

At TCC, primary prevention focuses on stopping hazing before it starts through bystander training, ethical leadership education, and promoting healthy group bonding.

TCC has the DASHH Prevention Squads at each campus in support of our commitment to maintaining drug-free campuses and preventing sexual harassment and hazing.

DASHH (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, Harassment, and Hazing) is a prevention initiative which provides comprehensive and intentional educational programming focused on life choices (related to drugs, alcohol, sex, harassment and hazing), and promotes access to resources on and off campus.

The DASHH Prevention Squad invites students to participate in on-going initiatives. View upcoming events in the DASHH Prevention Squad Calendar Events.

Notes:

• This is for students, our events are open to all (staff and faculty), but our target audience and focus are the students.
• FLBC(LOCAL) nor (LEGAL) policy include information on prevention programs;
  • TCC Risk Management programs include hazing, outlined in policy FKC (LEGAL).