Penn State and Turner Construction Company are trying to reach an agreement about quiet hours for the construction of Eastview Terrace -- quiet hours that are very necessary.

According to the project's Web site, construction should not go on from 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. But many students who live in South Halls said the construction begins at about 6:30 a.m. This is something that should be worked out, and it is good Penn State trying to do just that.

When Penn State hires outside contractors to do construction, they give them a deadline to complete the work. Turner Construction Company is allowed to set its own hours in order to meet their deadline. Office of Physical Plant spokesman Paul Ruskin said requirements for quiet hours were not included in the original contract.

Although the completion deadline is a major consideration, the comfort of students should be as well. Perhaps in the future, Penn State should include fixed quiet hours in construction contracts. Getting projects done quickly is a priority, but this goal should not be achieved at the expense of students' needs.

Penn State is trying to reach a compromise with the company about construction hours. It is hoping to arrange quiet hours between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. This is a good start, but perhaps an even better compromise can be reached.

Most students do not go to sleep anywhere near 7 p.m., so the university should try to negotiate extra evening work hours. If employees need to be paid overtime for night work, Penn State should be incurring these costs in the interests of its students.

With such hectic lives, students have few hours of quiet to begin with. This seems like a lose-lose situation, because the construction company has a deadline and students need quiet. But with a little more consideration and negotiation, both students and the construction company can win.

Blame cannot be totally placed on the company, as it does have to meet its deadline. Penn State should be a little more considerate, or at least aware of the problems that come from construction at 6:30 a.m. Construction is dotted all over this campus. The least that can be done is to make sure it is happening at times when students are awake.