THON was forced to make several adjustments to accommodate for the inevitable loss of funds as a result of the cancellation of the final two canning weekends. One of those adjustments affects arguably the most coveted role of THON’s volunteers: the dancers. This year, to account for the second and third canning weekends being called off, THON announced that the total lottery entrance minimum for both independent dancer couples and organizations is reduced by $300.

The weighted lottery determines how many dancers an organization is allotted during THON weekend. It also decides which dancers registered as independents (not affiliated with an org) get to dance. The number of dancers an organization is allotted is directly based on its previous year’s fundraising total. In years past, organizations and independent dancers were required to raise a minimum of $2,800 to be eligible for the lottery. This year, that number is down to $2,500. However, this does not change the “cost” of an individual tickets, which will remain at $650 per entrance to the lottery.

Once the org or independent dancer pair reaches $2,500, each additional $600 raised will earn them extra “chances” of being chosen to dance in February. Basically, the more money you raise, the more times your name is added to the pool, and the higher your odds of being chosen. The difference between the $650 and $600 is that the $650 is the necessary amount that each person in an independent dancer couple needs to contribute toward their $2,500 total. The rest of that $2,500 is raised in various ways. Every $600 made after the $2,500 goal is reached are more opportunities for the pair to be chosen to dance during THON weekend.

While this change is helpful and will undoubtedly assist both organizations’ and independent dancers’ chances of being on the floor for all hours, fundraising opportunities are decreased significantly without canning weekends, something that independent dancers usually count on for substantial fundraising. Though each group still has to raise a specific amount to become eligible, the figure is seemingly easier to handle with THON’s prolific solicitation opportunities at an all-time low.