Can anyone go to thon or is it only Greek life?
Anyone can go, and anyone can get involved if you look into what kinds of organizations there are (for example, there’s one associated with the Society of Women Engineers, and one that’s made up of mostly Schreyer Scholars). Many people do go, and many others don’t, no pressure either way.
groups like Atlas exist specifically to participate in Thon. Keep in mind, though, that each organization is allotted a number of actual dancers (how the orgs choose those people is usually, but not always, a lottery). Number of dancers is determined by several factors, including fundraising. People with no group affiliation at all (independant dancers) have a fundraising goal to meet (something around $2500) and then they are entered in a lottery for a chance to be a dancer.
So you can participate in many ways via committees or fundraising or being in the seats, but not everyone can be on the floor. Committee chairs and members of coveted committees are usually Greek. It’s aconplicated relationship, and sometimes annoyingly righteous, but in the end it is undeniably a positive force with a lot of impact.
^^
actually the committee members and captains of THON are a majority non-Greek. The Greek system does canning, adopt a child and contribute a great deal…dancing etc. However, THON is made up of a dedicated group of students…some on the dance team, others just out to make a difference for the Four Diamond families.
As a freshman it is a great way to meet others. My niece started her freshman year and became an overall captain and my son is a junior and he has been on morale/dancer relations for two years. His THON friends eat dinner together and do other fun activities.
Oh the dancers usually are Greek…
But there are many independent organizations and those that want to dance…you do have to raise $2500 and then it is by lottery. If you are on the dancer relations committee you are on the floor in shifts supporting your dancer and keeping them motivated.
I disagree with the first poster saying ‘no pressure either way’ - saying theres no pressure to go to thon is doing you a disservice in terms of knowing what you’re getting into. THON is a fantastic cause and a great charity, but many of the students who are heavily involved (read, a lot of people) pretty much look down upon you if you’re not involved in some way shape or form.