Mother Nature has caused more problems than just wet shoes and frozen fingers -- the 1994 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon might suffer.

Several canning trips were canceled after last weekend's snowstorm, causing poor road conditions and keeping people within State College limits.

"At least half of our trips were canceled," said Eddie Hall, president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, 351 E. Fairmount Ave. Only about three trips made it out, he said.

"We probably lost a few thousand dollars," Hall said, but added they are still ahead of last year's total.

Sigma Delta Tau sorority, 1 Shulze, put up a sign Friday telling people not to leave, said Mariana Yunis, president of Sigma Delta Tau. But some people left on their own on Saturday, she added.

Brian Ray, dance marathon rules and regulations chairman, said all chapters received a weather advisory reporting bad weather east and south of State College.

"We regard the students' safety first, above all else," Ray said. "We told them to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their canners."

Frequent bad weather since the canning period began Feb. 4 may hurt the marathon if the money usually raised canning is not made up elsewhere.

"Some of us have been calling alumni to make up for it," Hall said, adding that day trips were planned for this week and during dance marathon to make up for lost time.

But the canceled trips have not pressured other groups, who said with less than a week left until dance marathon there is still plenty of time to raise money.

"We will be having a lot more day trips this week," Yunis said. "People are more willing to go."

Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity has also done more "pledge forming," where members go door to door to collect pledges, Hall said. It is sometimes more difficult to get $10 as opposed to the smaller donations collected from canning, he added.

But overall, the weather hasn't weakened the canner's spirits. Students are as psyched as ever to raise money for the marathon. Seeing other University students on the road and canning has also influenced attitudes.

"Regardless of the weather, we've been much more enthusiastic and involved than last year," Yunis said. "It makes you feel like you're doing something great."