In-person: 3807 Graustark Blvd. (Moran Parking Center) South West Corner
With a staff of fully-licensed and trained officers committed to integrity, determination and respect, the department provides a safe and secure campus environment through:
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (20 U.S.C. §1092(f)) (“Clery Act”) and the Higher Education Act of 1965, the University of St. Thomas has prepared this Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report is developed in collaboration with the University of St. Thomas Police Department, the local police department, and designated Campus Security Authorities.
This report provides an overview of the University’s policies, procedures, and resources related to campus safety and security. It outlines the measures the University will follow in responding to and reporting Clery-reportable crimes, as well as the programs and initiatives in place to support prevention, awareness, and response efforts.
In addition, this report includes the official crime statistics for the past three calendar years, reflecting incidents that meet the definitions established under the Clery Act. These statistics are presented to ensure transparency and to provide students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and the broader community with accurate and consistent information regarding campus safety.
Hazing Transparency Report
Hazing of any kind is inconsistent with the University’s values and incompatible with the safe, healthy environment that the University of St. Thomas community expects. All members of this community share responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment which promotes the safety and dignity of each individual. Not only is hazing against the law, but the very act and its outcomes are detrimental to the type of leaders the institution strives to develop. UST is committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the university community and prohibits hazing by any student or student group.
On December 23, 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) was signed, which amended the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. SCHA requires institutions of higher education participating in federal student aid programs to track and report hazing incidents to the public.
Hazing Transparency Report For Calendar Year 2025
The following Clery Campus Hazing Transparency Report includes all student organizations found responsible for hazing that occurred within the Clery geography (as defined by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and the Stop Campus Hazing Act).
The Report below is inclusive of responsible Clery geography hazing findings at the UST Main Campus, Shenandoah Campus, Sugar Land Campus, and St. Mary’s Seminary.
Name of Organization
NO REPORTS RECEIVED
General Description of the Incident
N/A
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated
N/A
College or Court Findings
N/A
College Sanctions or Court Penalties
N/A
Date of Notification to Organization
N/A
Date Final Case Resolution
N/A
Investigation:
If an investigation is warranted, the Dean of Students or the Interim AVP of Human Resources , or designee, shall appoint one or more investigators to conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation. External investigators may be appointed at the discretion of the Dean of Students or the Interim AVP of Human Resources. Reports of alleged Hazing that also allege violations of the University’s response to sexual and gender-based violence will be coordinated between the Dean of Students or the Interim AVP of Human Resources, or designee), and to determine the appropriate investigation and/or resolution procedures.
The respondent (typically the president for a registered/recognized student organization, or its equivalent for an established organization) will be sent a written notice of the allegations by way of their University-supplied e-mail account. If the student organization has a national or oversight entity, that entity may be apprised of the University’s investigation at the discretion of the Dean of Students or the Interim AVP of Human Resources. The national or oversight entity cannot speak on behalf of or represent the student organization.
Reasonable efforts will be made to complete the investigation in a timely manner. Typically, the University will aim to complete an investigation into allegations of Hazing within 45 business days of providing written notice of the investigation to the respondent, though investigations may extend beyond 45 business days as circumstances require.
During the investigation, the respondent will be provided with an opportunity to: provide information through an in-person or virtual interview, submit a written account, provide the names of incident witnesses for possible interviews with the investigator(s), provide witness statements, and provide any documentation that may be relevant to the facts of the allegations. However, the investigator(s) may consider information from any sources the investigator(s) deem relevant and credible. The investigator(s) will make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant supporting documentation related to the allegations from other University official(s) or available resources.
Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator(s) will prepare an investigation report. The investigation report will summarize the information gathered and include detailed findings-of-fact regarding the behaviors in question.
Determination:
OPTION 1 (IF THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINES RESPONSIBILITY): The investigator(s) will determine whether each respondent violated the University’s Hazing policy and document these findings in the investigation report. The Dean of Students or the Interim AVP of Human Resources will impose appropriate sanctions in accordance with the Hazing Police, Student Code of Conduct, and Employee Code of Conduct for students or student organizations found to have violated the University’s Hazing policy. If theHazing Police, Student Code of Conduct, and Employee Code of Conduct does not provide the investigator(s) with sanctioning authority over a respondent, the investigation report will be forwarded to the University official(s) authorized to impose appropriate sanctions.
OPTION 2 (IF THE INVESTIGATOR DOES NOT DETERMINE RESPONSIBILITY): The investigator(s) will submit an investigation report to the appropriate University official(s) with jurisdiction over the respondent(s). The applicable official(s) will determine whether the respondent(s) violated the University’s Hazing policy using the resolution procedures applicable to the respondent(s). If the respondent(s) are found to have violated the University’s Hazing policy, the applicable official(s) will impose appropriate sanctions.
All respondents will be informed, in writing, of the University’s findings and any sanctions imposed. Any opportunity for the respondent to appeal will follow the relevant policies and procedures applicable to the respondent.
Respondents who violate the University’s Hazing policy will be subject to conduct sanctions, which may include probation, loss of privileges, loss of recognized/registered status, mandatory training or education, suspension, expulsion, administrative leave, revocation of tenure, or termination. Respondents can also face sanctions under other University policies as well as criminal or civil penalties imposed under.
Reporting:
Hazing reports can be submitted in person, by phone, or via email using the contact information provided below:
Human Resources (Employees) Campanile Building Room 250 713-525-3142 hr@stthom.edu
UST Police Department Moran Parking Center 713-525-3888 police@stthom.edu
Applicable Laws
This policy is consistent with Texas state law and the federal Clery Act, as amended by the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). Hazing may also be subject to criminal prosecution under local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
Under Texas state law (Tex. Ed. Code § 37.152 and § 37.153) hazing is a criminal offense. Individuals or organizations who are criminally convicted of engaging in hazing are subject to penalties based on the severity of the action.
Failing to report hazing or hazing that does not cause serious bodily injury is a Class B misdemeanor and subject to a Iine up to $2,000, jail time not to exceed 180 days, or both; community service may also be required.
Hazing that causes serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a Iine up to $4,000, jail time not to exceed one year, or both; community service may also be required.
Hazing that causes the death of another person is a state jail felony and may be subject to a Iine up to $10,000 and will face jail time of no less than 180 days and nor more than two years. Punishment will increase if the individual used a deadly weapon or has been previously convicted of a felony.
Organizations convicted of hazing are criminally responsible for a misdemeanor in Texas and punishable by a Iine of:
Between $5,000 & $10,000, or
When there is a court finding that the hazing caused personal injury, property damage, or other loss, between $5,000 and not more than double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of the injury, damage, or loss.
Consent is never a defense to hazing under Texas law.