The mixed composition of Penn State -- a public campus with private properties -- has prompted police officials to review trespass laws that are enforced when university rules are broken.

Penn State University Police Chief Steve Shelow, University Police Supervisor Tom Sowerby and Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane met Wednesday to talk about the state-wide trespass statute --- which can be issued to persons who break a university rule, are subsequently asked to leave campus and refuse.

Shelow said Wednesday's meeting was the first of many meetings to discuss the black, white and gray areas regarding trespassing on campus. The procedures that police officers take and the words they use when citing a person who does not comply with the rules are being reviewed, he said.

Shelow said two major elements are being considered for review: private versus public property on campus and visitors versus people regularly invited to campus -- such as students, faculty and staff.

"For example, the library," Shelow said. "I think that is private property, but it's routinely open to public. That is a gray area."

Sloane and Shelow added scenarios such as expelling ticket scalpers on game days or piggybacking into dormitories.

Another example discussed was drinking in certain places on campus.

"It's not against the law to drink over the age of 21," Sloane said. "But Penn State rules say that they don't want you drinking before events [at the Bryce Jordan Center]."

Shelow said a person on Penn State's campus who is breaking a university rule but not disobeying the law, as in the situation Sloane described, would be asked to throw away their drink. If they refused, he said they would be asked to leave campus. And if the person would not leave campus, he or she would be in violation of trespass laws and would be issued a citation.

It is examples like that one that Shelow said he, Sowerby and Sloane are looking into. He said they want to make sure their rules are modern and accurate.

Shelow said university police procedures have been reviewed by the law firm representing Penn State University, McQuaide Blasko. He said officials from McQuaide Blasko said the procedures are legally sound.

"I've already established that [the rules] apply," Shelow said. "What I am trying to get at is a procedure for police to use so they can effectively apply the [trespass] statute."

Shelow said the purpose of the meetings with Sowerby and Sloane is to iron out any wrinkles.

"I have been looking at this for several months," Shelow said. "I have the responsibility to look at policies and procedures to make sure they are up to date and compliant."