For the first time in 35 years, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh won't be seeing walk-a-thon proceeds from a traditional trek held by Phi Theta Phi fraternity members at Thiel College because -- according to college officials -- the fraternity no longer exists.

A written statement from the college Wednesday evening said the group is restricted from involvement in any community activity or project that identifies Thiel or an association between the college and the fraternity -- including the walk-a-thon -- because of several unspecified violations of the student code of conduct.

The walk was scheduled to begin Friday.

Adam Kmetz, walk-a-thon chairman, said the fraternity is talking with Children's Hospital about a possible walk-a-thon fund-raiser next semester.

"As far as Thiel's concerned, Phi Theta Phi doesn't exist anymore, so we'll have to do it under a different name," Kmetz said.

Kmetz chose not to comment on what had happened to lead to the college's disassociation with the fraternity, but said, "We're all disappointed the school did this to us."

Each year, members of the Greenville college's fraternity made a 100-mile walk from the campus to the hospital. The men collected money along the overnight walk, and often spent the night in a church. In 2000 the fraternity had collected a total of $1 million in the history of the walk.

Proceeds from the walk went to the hospital's Free Care Fund, which ensures that children in western Pennsylvania never will be deprived medical care.

"Thiel continues to fully support Children's Hospital and all funds contributed to the former Phi Theta Phi organization in support of the walk-a-thon will be presented to Children's Hospital," the statement said. "We encourage the public to continue to support Children's Hospital by sending a direct donation to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, c/o Gerri Giles, 3705 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213."