The late start of classes and termination of fall break are receiving mixed reactions from students and some of their seasonal employers.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said there are various reasons for starting the fall semester after Labor Day -- about a week later than usual.

It allows students to spend a longer time working at summer internships and jobs, Kendig said.

"We realize that students with summer internships are sometimes not able to finish them because of the start of school," Kendig added.

Kendig also said that because of rising tuition, starting later and allowing students to work more during the summer months could help them economically for the semester.

"I like starting later because I was able to work longer," said Rena Griffin (senior-kinesiology), who worked at Dairy Queen, 2009 N. Atherton St.

Some members of the amusement park industry, which depends on seasonal labor, would like to see a uniform school starting date after Labor Day.

Peter Gardella, president of DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton, said that having student employees for an extra week would help his business.

"If all schools started at the same time, scheduling and other problems would be easier to deal with," he said.

Nearby amusement parks offer different views on the later start.

"Because of our location, we usually don't have a problem keeping college kids around until the end of the summer," said Joseph Barron, personnel director for Kennywood Amusement Park, located in West Mifflin.

Barron said having colleges near the park, such as Penn State McKeesport and University of Pittsburgh, allows a constant flow of student employees.

Local swimming pools are affected by the starting date of classes as well.

"College students always leave before the end of the season," said Rachel Irwin, aquatics director for the Bellefonte YMCA. "The high school employees normally finish out the end of the season."

Kendig said although this is the first year the schedule will be used, it will likely become permanent.

"We will get feedback from students and faculty on any improvements it may need, but this is not a test run," Kendig said.