What ever happened to FTK?

This year's batch of Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon overalls seems to have forgotten the mission behind the message.

About two weeks ago, the overalls said they will regulate Thon fundraising events at commonwealth campuses because current mini-Thons could not be held "in their current state."

Overalls told commonwealth campus representatives Nov. 3 that any fundraising for Penn State's annual Dance Marathon must be registered in Thon's database and follow the conditions set by Thon's rules and regulations committee.

Thon, as all participants know very well, is a year-round fundraiser benefiting the Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer, at the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey.

Through weekend canning trips, corporate sponsors and pledge books of donations, students make this $40 million dollar philanthropy a reality.

Why now, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world turning away fundraising efforts from their fellow student volunteers?

Furthermore, regulating mini-Thon events at commonwealth campuses may create apathy among the students or destroy the fundraiser entirely, which hurts both the students at the commonwealth campuses and Thon itself.

It's a source of pride for all campuses to join in the Penn State tradition dancing to fight cancer. It's not just for students at University Park or Behrend or Mont Alto -- it's something Penn State's known for.

What's next for the Thon committee?

Will they regulate all the high school mini-Thons throughout Pennsylvania? Other fundraising for the Four Diamonds Fund?

Students have been saying it for weeks: it's the spirit and tradition behind the event, not money that's raised or the hours spent dancing.

Thon overalls, take your own advice and let the commonwealth campuses do it 'For the Kids' in their own way.