Is it hazing?
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When the national media want to talk to an expert on hazing, they are likely to call Elizabeth Allan at the University of Maine.

Allan has been interviewed by magazines as diverse as Sports Illustrated, Teen People, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Rolling Stone and Congressional Quarterly. A 2004 Public Broadcasting System documentary on hazing, Unless a Death Occurs, featured an interview with her.

The Web site Allan cofounded, StopHazing.org, attracts thousands of visitors each month.

One of the many myths about hazing, Allan says, is that it is often hard to tell whether an activity is hazing or just innocent fun. To distinguish, she says, use common sense and ask the following questions:

• Is alcohol involved?
• Will current members of the group refuse to do exactly what the new members are being asked to do?
• Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
• Is there a risk of injury or a question of safety?
• Do you have any reservation about describing the activity to your parents, a professor or school official?
• Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, says Allan, the activity is probably hazing.

Checklist adapted from a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity policy on hazing.

Categories of hazing

Subtle hazing— Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and others in the group. Activities accepted as "harmless," but show lack of mutual respect. Examples: deception, lineups and drills, demerits.

Harassment hazing— Behaviors that cause emotional or physical discomfort. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. Examples: threats, crude stunts, sleep deprivation.

Violent hazing — Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm. Examples: forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption, beatings, branding, public nudity, abduction.

Excerpted from StopHazing.org