Beginning this Fall Semester, the University will require all incoming students to provide proof of their vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella — German measles — in order to attend.

Proper immunization was encouraged in the past but not required. But an outbreak of measles at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., last spring made health officials get serious about proper medical documentation.

Because of the outbreak, Rutgers University conducted a mass immunization of 22,100 students, faculty and staff and was forced to cancel many classes as well as social and sporting events. The total cost to Rutgers was about $1.5 million.

Penn State is trying to avoid such an outbreak by requiring two measles vaccinations and one each of the mumps and rubella vaccinations.

Doris Guanowsky, associate director for ancillary services at University Health Services, said measles are especially a problem on college campuses so the University is trying to protect students.

"We're really trying to get students to check their records so that they are protected. It's a little bit of a hassle, but the benefits outweigh that," Guanowsky said.

She added that faculty and staff members will also be encouraged to get vaccinated by health services in May after classes end.

Students who are unable to receive or properly document the vaccinations will be able to receive them through health services during summer orientation or during the first few weeks of classes. Students will be able to get one shot for $41 that will complete all three vaccinations.

Students who do not cooperate will not be permitted to attend school until they get vaccinated.

Chris Carbaugh (senior-landscape architecture) agrees that students should be vaccinated but does not think students should be kept from classes if they do not cooperate.

"If you hold up their education because of something simple like that, it'll interrupt their educational process," he said. "Maybe just hold grades."

People born before 1957, the year vaccines were first widely used, will be exempt from the new policy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.