|
|
|
|
[ Monday, Feb. 21, 2000 ]
Student security members keep Thon safe for dancers, visitors
By Carol Acevedo
and Amy Falck
Collegian Staff Writers
Security kept in step with the dancers and the crowds during the weekend to support the needs of participants in the 2000 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Members of the rules and regulations committee said Thon 2000 ran smoothly without any security problems or incidents.
"We had a pretty good weekend. Everything was pretty quiet," said Kara McGill (senior-letters, arts and sciences), a rules and regulations committee captain.
PHOTO: Tobin Lehman/Collegian
Student visitors cheer on Thon dancers Saturday from the stands of Rec Hall.
Laura Eny (junior-occupational therapy), security committee member, said the committee's job was to maintain safety for all those involved in the marathon.
"I think the security aspect of this year's Thon is a lot more organized than it has been in the past," Eny said.
Thon established a rules and regulations committee, which was responsible for three security steps to keep the excitement of the event under control.
The committee worked with the university's Emergency Medical Services to ensure the dancers remained in good health. Security teams and pass tables were set up as additional measures.
"We have added a central command post area this year as a way to have a main communication area," said Ryan Hilliard (senior-marketing).
Hillard, chairman of the rules and regulations committee, said there were 18 security teams consisting of 25 student volunteers each in addition to a team captain.
During the nights' peak hours, an additional security team watched the floor to manage potentially rowdy crowds. Penn State Police Services supported the needs of the event staff as situations arose.
"There haven't been a lot of police problems in the past but the biggest challenge has been closing the building off to people coming in after capacity," said Stephen Shelow, Penn State police assistant director.
Shelow, who has been working with Thon security for 12 years, said the event does not usually lend itself to alcohol-related citations.
However, the committee was prepared to deal with the few cases in which people under the influence of alcohol might distract visitors.
"Some people have actually gotten hurt in the past so we had a system set up in case people were too drunk or out of control," Hilliard said.
