[adrie435]

Sadly, I think it has to do with the idea of the group and how much it's scrutinized.. Greeks are under more scrutiny for hazing violations than a professional/honorary group is.

I'm a member of a professional organization and we were required to interview brothers prior to initiation and take a test on our knowledge of the fraternity (both local and national) and the professional subject matter (in this case, chemistry). Everything we did earned us points and if you didnt have enough points, you couldn't be initiated. I found it surprising that our 'rituals' contained pieces that I've been taught are considered hazing in the social Greek world-- blindfolds, special attire, and having to stand in front of people to recite information. But it's not seen in the same light... Unfortunately since some social Greek organizations have done enough stupid or dangerous things at some point or another we will always have extra attention on things that could be construed as hazing.

ETA: There's a thread going on right now in fact in Chapter operations about the new member process and the effect that strict hazing definitions have had on it