The minimum registration price for dancers in the Penn State Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon has increased this year because of the large number of students who want to participate.

Thon Overall Chair Seth Moser said the minimum price last year was $900 for each pair of dancers, but due to limited space on the floor, it has risen to $1,100 per pair.

He said plans for the price increase were in the works at the start of the academic year, and dancers were notified about the new balance before Thanksgiving break.

"We've been telling people since the beginning of the year, but we couldn't get it done until then because of technical issues," he said.

Ashley Hughes, a junior who is trying to raise enough money to dance, said she and her dance partner Teela Ross were informed of the price raise in an e-mail from Thon coordinators.

"They got to us really late about dancing," Hughes said. "We signed up in late October to give the first round of money, and we didn't hear from them until before Thanksgiving break."

She added that she wanted to dance with someone who was going to support her, and by being an independent dancer, she was guaranteed to dance with her best friend.

Ross said she was intimidated by the price increase at first. "At first we were a little discouraged, but people are so generous with giving money that we surpassed the amount anyway," she said.

Ross said she is hoping she and Hughes get chosen to dance at Thon.

"I was told by other people that dancing is the most gratifying experience they have ever had," Ross said.

Evan Jacobs, Thon rules and regulations chair, said there can only be a certain number of dancers because of issues regarding safety and accommodations. "It's a combination of safety issues and the number of people we can accommodate in hospitality and medical services as well as bathroom facilities," he said.

Registration for dancers occurred last week online and will also be held during four in-person dates on Jan. 19, 20 and 27 in 302 HUB and on Jan. 25 in 129 HUB. Jacobs said dancers should sign up for a time on those dates in the Thon office, 220 HUB.

Public relations chair Carrie Konosky said that she does not see the price increase discouraging dancers from raising money. "We haven't seen a problem; if anything it will encourage them to raise more," she said. "There are also people who are in organizations that don't get picked [to dance] and still want the chance."

Jacobs said the raise in price is making it as fair as possible for those who raise a lot of money for Thon.

"The [minimum fundraising balance] will continue to grow, as Thon continues to go up, and that is how it should be," Moser said.