In the beginning, there was dancer registration, a time when dancers who wanted to participate in the 1994 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon could register. And it all started in 212 HUB on Jan. 17 when dancer packets were handed out.

But forms are only the beginning -- dancers and organizers must also attend meetings, choreograph line dances and receive and keep track of donations. An event this size has the potential of being a big headache, but for most, it is worth it in the end.

This is the second time Lisa Lugossy has filled out these forms. She participated in dance marathon last year, and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, 101 Cooper, and Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave., voted her to dance again.

To register, Lugossy (senior-elementary education) and her partner had to pay a $50 registration fee, fill out the dancer packet and submit at least $480 in pledges.

"It was definitely worth it," she said. "It was an amazing experience. I loved it."

On the registration packet, dancers need to answer questions about their medical background, home address, song requests and the organization they are with, said Chip Baird, overall chair of the 1994 overall committee for dance marathon.

"It is the general information we need to keep (the dancers) organized in our files," said Baird (senior-finance and international business).

Registration was Jan. 17-18 for Greek students and Jan. 19-20 for student organizations and independent couples. On Jan. 21, a lottery was held for organizations that wanted more than one couple to participate.

Dancers also received a copy of the rules and regulations booklet when they registered. This year the biggest change in the marathon's rules and regulations was the introduction of new pledge books.

Instead of pledge forms, dancers received booklets, said Brian Ray, chairman of rules and regulations for the 1994 overall committee.

"They've really helped with the organization of things," said Ray (senior-environmental resource management).

Other changes this year were that one dancer from each couple had to be present at registration and the posters that dancers draw and "look at for inspiration" had to be on poster board, he said.

Lugossy, like other dancers, turned in medication she will need during dance marathon. Advil and allergy pills were the only two she turned in, but other students turned in prescription drugs and other nonprescription drugs.

The medication, organized by couple number, then goes to Emergency Medical Services, whose members during the marathon distribute and keep track of them for dancers.

And to keep dancers' morale high, mail is sent to 212 HUB by parents, friends and morale subcommittees and distributed during the marathon.

"It's just to show support and appreciation for what they're doing," said Kristy Walter, chair of the morale committee for the 1994 overall committee.

Mail during dance marathon will be delivered by Mike "the Mailman" Herr from the post office on campus, student-athletes and families, said Walter (senior-sociology). Like the medication, mail is separated by couple number. The mail is read when dancers think their spirits' need to be uplifted.

"The mail is great because you get a big stack of letters," Lugossy said. "It was really great. Mail call was one of the best parts."