Most students, while walking around campus, reach frantically to put every strand of hair back into place when the wind blows.

Children suffering from Alopecia, a type of permanent hair loss disease, however, never have a chance to even brush their hair.

As part of its nationwide 16-city tour, Clairol Tour 2000 will be visiting Penn State from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today on the HUB lawn, where long-haired students will be brought center stage for dramatic, free haircuts for a good cause.

Clairol experts will be staging "hair-raising cut-a-thons" for Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to underprivileged children suffering from permanent hair loss.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease where cells of an individual's own immune system prevent hair follicles from producing hair fiber.

Although Alopecia is not life threatening, the pressures of an image-conscious society can make hair loss psychologically devastating for those affected. Locks of Love helps children with medical hair loss achieve self-esteem and confidence.

In the sixth year of this nationwide tour, it is the first time that Clairol experts are stopping at college campuses. Since mid-July, it has visited various malls and campuses such as University of Arizona, University of New Mexico and University of Houston. Penn State will be the last campus the program visits.

"We are hoping to gather as much hair for this good cause. This will also give Clairol the opportunities to educate students on Alopecia and Clairol products, meanwhile also having fun," said Dana Alicea, Clairol consultant and hairdresser.

Students who want haircuts are done on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to those cutting 10 or more inches. However, only hair that is cut five inches or longer will be donated to the organization.

"This sounds like a wonderful cause," Alina Ngo (freshman-kinesiology) said. "I'd love to help, but I just can't give up 5 inches of my hair. Maybe 3 inches max."

Although 5 inches may sound little, for some girls it may be a lot.

"It's excellent if you're willing to do it, but I can't give up 5 inches either. I really would do it though if it weren't so much," Jennifer Woods (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said.

The organization began in 1997 and has helped about 184 children since its first year. Donated hair arrives from around the country because of the national publicity the program receives from newspapers, magazines and television programs.

A trivia contest will also be conducted on the HUB lawn while the cut-a-thons are being conducted.

The donated hair will be provided to the children with a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece. The vacuum fit is designed so children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair do not require the usage of glue or tape.

According to the guidelines from Locks of Love, the donated hair is evaluated for its usefulness. It must be bundled in a ponytail or a braid and must be free of hair damaged by chemical processing.