Growing size of Thon may change location


Monday, March 30, 1998	Growing size of Thon may change location By PATRICIA TISAK Collegian Staff Writer Despite upcoming renovations to the White Building, the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon will not have a new home next year, for now. However, size may force Thon to move locations sometime soon.
`Collegian 1998 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon coverage`	The renovation plans for the older sections of the White Building may restrict Thon activity, said Dale Roth, director of recreation services and club sports. However, the construction would have minimal effect on Thon, he said. The renovation will concentrate on the older sections of the building, Roth said, and Thon is held mainly in the newer sections.
*"My presumption is that the size of the Thon is at the maximum of what the White Building can accommodate"* - Dale Roth, director of recreation services and club sports	"My presumption is that the size of the Thon is at the maximum of what the White Building can accommodate," he said. "If they choose to stay at the same size then, presumably, Thon can stay in the White Building indefinitely." For now, Thon will be held in the White Building until further notice from the administration, said Todd Waltman, Thon 1998 overall chairman. However, Thon's increasing size is outgrowing the White Building, he added. "At first, it will lose that feeling of home and tradition," said Waltman (senior-health policy and administration). "But when you look at the bigger picture, it's something that's needed to continue the growth we've been experiencing." The lack of room in the White Building presents numerous problems for the Thon committee, Waltman said. It prevents some students who want to dance from participating in Thon, he said. At this year's Thon, 1,000 people could not get inside the White Building to cheer and support the dancers because there was no more room, Waltman said. If Thon was located in a larger building, more supporters can come and more student organizations can send dancers to Thon, he added. "The White Building cannot accommodate our needs anymore," Waltman said.