A study has found that hazing extends beyond Greek organizations and football teams.
And when it does, the students involved may not even realize hazing is occurring.
The study -- conducted by two professors at the University of Maine -- examined 1,789 students at four different colleges and universities in the Northeast.
While one in five students who are in a student organization reported to be involved in behaviors defined as hazing, only one in 20 students would directly say he was hazed.
University officials say Penn is no exception to the trend.
Student Activities Committee Director Fran Walker said that hazing has taken many forms at Penn, ranging from "throwing flour and ketchup at Hey Day" to "new members playing a game that makes them look silly."
University of Maine education professor Elizabeth Allan, the main author of the study, said that there are many subtle forms of coercion that can still be considered hazing, which the study defined as "any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them regardless of a person's willingness to participate."
"Many [students] have an image in their heads that [hazing] involves physical force," she said, while noting that this is not necessarily the case.
Some of the activities considered by Allen to qualify as hazing include being yelled, screamed or cursed at, being exposed to harsh weather without appropriate clothing or being forced to sing.
The survey -- which consisted of 70 questions and was taken online by most respondents, though there were 90 additional in-person interviews -- also found that 40 percent of students said that a coach or adviser was aware of hazing activities. Twenty-two percent said that the coach or adviser was involved.
Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski agreed that hazing activities occur among student organizations on campus -- Greek and otherwise.
"Everyone thinks that if there is hazing going on, it must be" fraternities and sororities, Reikofski said. "When we investigate it, more often than not, it's other organizations that's doing the hazing."
Reikofski said he thinks hazing has declined on Penn's campus over the past year, but "there is still a way to go."
Inter-Fraternity Council President Max Dubin said that the Greek system at Penn has been focused on finding safe and positive methods of initiation.
"There is a great deal of progress being made, and we hope that this can extend to other organizations on campus, which are unfortunately not focusing on it enough," the College junior said.
Survey results - One in five students reported being involved in hazing behavior - One in twenty students reported being hazed - 40 percent of respondents said their coach or adviser was aware of the hazing
