Students living in South Halls should be getting a little reprieve during finals week from construction that began during spring break.

At the request of the university, the Turner Construction Company will not begin construction outside of Redifer Commons or west of the new Eastview Terrace, the area known as Redifer Corridor, until 9 a.m. during finals week. This request was made to accommodate students living in South Halls, said Chad Henning, Housing and Food Services manager of facilities.

During spring break, construction sites at Eastview Terrace and inside Redifer Commons were expanded to include areas between Ewing and Cross, and Cooper and Hoyt dorms, he said.

"The construction zone expansion was necessary to complete the required site work on schedule," Henning said.

Until April 12, construction noise was restricted before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. More recently, construction has been restricted before 8 a.m.

According to its contract with Penn State, Turner Construction is not obligated to shorten the construction schedule, Henning added. By beginning after 9 a.m., they are complying with a request made by the university.

"They've been good partners with the university in the past, and they want to continue to be good partners," said Larry Bair, Office of Physical Plant (OPP) project manager.

The goal of the shortened schedule is to cut down on "noisy" construction, including heavy equipment, hammer drills, backup beepers and any vibration noise, so the students will have an easier time studying and preparing for finals, he said.

Although the noise affecting students in South Halls will now begin later, the construction occurring inside Redifer Commons and East of Eastview Terrace will continue at 8 a.m. as scheduled.

"The buildings should be a sound barrier to the work starting earlier than 8 a.m.," Henning said.

Bair said the construction company and OPP are concerned that the shortened schedule will affect the summer schedule, because summer weather is still a concern. Key items that must be installed by fall semester include handrails, steps, sidewalks and hard gratings.

"If they aren't put in, then the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry won't OK the occupancy," Bair said.

Students living in Ewing Hall said they are unhappy about the construction situation.

"I hate it," Pete Hall (freshman-engineering) said. "It wakes me up every day."

Other students said they agree with Hall. "I always hear them, whether I'm watching TV or studying," Daniel Quinn (junior-human resources and institutional management) said. "I hear that obnoxious beeping all morning and afternoon, and it drives me crazy."

Other students said they are upset with the university.

"It's annoying, and I prefer they do certain things during the summer when the campus isn't as densely populated," said South Halls Residence Association (SHRA) Secretary Kristen Jozkowski. "I'm angry at the school for poor planning."

Some students said they feel it is a "necessary evil."

"It's been a distraction during the school year, but it's designed to improve the quality of the commons," said SHRA President Christian Squillante.

Some students seemed skeptical about the shortened construction schedule.

"I don't think an extra hour is going to really do anything," Hall said. "Most of my finals are at 8 a.m., so I'll be up at that time anyway," Quinn said.

Hall said it is especially frustrating for him because he will be moving out of South Halls next semester.

Other students are happy about the change in construction.

"I'm glad they're starting later so people can sleep in," Jozkowski said.