Members of the greek community stressed their frustration over a lack of clarity regarding the university's definition of hazing, at a forum in the Gallagher Theater yesterday afternoon.

"There is a difference between capital H hazing and little h hazing," Marc Viscardi, a panel member and president of the Chain Gang honorary, said.

The panel included Steve Adamczyk, from the UA Attorneys Office, Carol Thompson, senior associate dean of students, and several members of the greek community and honoraries. Nearly 100 people attended the panel discussion.

At face value, having pledges take tests on a fraternity's history, forcing them to clean the fraternity house, or take part in scavenger hunts, all of which are common initiation activities, are not inherently harmful, said various members of the panel.

The university defines hazing as "any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against another student."

The act must also be committed in connection with an initiation into an organization affiliated with the university and there must be a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation, according to UA policy and procedure.

The panel maintained that student health and safety should be everyone's primary concern and that all forms of dangerous or violent behavior directed at students should be addressed.

Viscardi voiced his concern that some organizations are being unfairly accused of hazing.

Last year, the Chain Gang was put on probation by the dean of students, after members took part in a scavenger hunt. They were punished for alcohol violations as well.

Thompson cited a recent poll, demonstrating that hazing is not synonymous with greek life.

The NCAA reports that nearly 80 percent of all college athletes admit to having been hazed, she said.

Thompson believes that education is an important part of stopping hazing on campus.

She said that the forum was important not only for its educational merit, but to get students and faculty talking about hazing.

"Hopefully it begins discussion and dialogue," she said. "Hopefully this will give them the tools that they need to be effective leaders."

Panelists hope that effective leadership along with proper communication will help drive hazing out of organizations and allow the university to create proper guidelines by which to punish offenders.

The Dean of Student's office is offering a $200 reward to any organization that can outline alternatives to hazing that are unifying, fun, and safe.

Students with information or questions regarding hazing can call the university's hazing hotline at 626-HAZE.