Penn State’s THON will hold its 2022 dance marathon in person at the Bryce Jordan Center, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon.
Scheduled for Feb. 18-20, THON Weekend 2022 will combine a “robust and engaging livestream” with in-person festivities, including 46 hours of dancing. THON said it’s prepared to revert to an all-online weekend akin to THON 2021 should the pandemic’s circumstances worsen.
Penn State students and staff wishing to access the BJC’s event level or mezzanine will need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. That includes:
- All registered dancers
- THON directors, captains, and committee members
- All student and staff press
- All student and staff performers
- All students and staff on a THON Weekend pass list
A release from the student-run organization benefiting pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and their families said THON is unable to require vaccinations for attendees beyond university students and employees.
“As a student organization, THON is not able to mandate vaccinations for anyone besides Penn State Students and Staff,” the release stated. “As THON Weekend is a free event that is open to the public, THON will not be able to verify in real time the vaccination status of anyone wishing to enter the building.”
Students and staff wishing to access the floor are required to be registered for THON Weekend ahead of time so vaccination status can be verified.
THON volunteers who aren’t vaccinated can still attend THON Weekend, but they won’t be able to access the BJC’s event or mezzanine levels. The organization “strongly encourage[s]” all attendees to be fully vaccinated to help families, volunteers, alumni and supporters feel as safe as possible.
All visiting families, spectators, and students and staff will need to wear masks inside the BJC at all times, regardless of vaccination status. Only families whose children aren’t actively receiving treatment can attend THON Weekend in person, although case-by-case decisions will require written consent from treatment providers.
Penn State and THON will work together to assess vaccination statuses for applicable students, faculty, and staff attending THON Weekend. According to the university’s COVID-19 Dashboard, 83.8% of students and 82.6% of employees across all Penn State campuses are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
More information on THON’s “comprehensive safety plans” for THON Weekend will be announced in January, the organization said.
THON’s Executive Committee worked with officials at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State’s COVID-19 Operations Control Center (COCC) to make the decision on the in-person event and form a health and safety plan.
“While we are so excited to welcome all of our passionate supporters back to THON Weekend, the safety of all in attendance is of the utmost priority,” THON’s Executive Committee wrote in a statement. “Everyone in attendance deserves to feel safe and comfortable.”
THON benefits the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which ensures families of pediatric cancer patients do not have to pay for their treatment, as well as providing support for patients and families and funding research.
The theme for THON 2022 is “Spark Endless Light”.
StateCollege.com’s Geoff Rushton contributed to this report
