Following this semester's classroom food ban, a new policy will charge non-credit courses and student groups 25 cents per square foot of a general-purpose classroom if the space is left out of order.

The new application was just created and the university has yet to charge a fine, Bob Myrick, Office of Physical Plant facilities coordinator, said.

"Trash has been a real problem in the past few years," Myrick said. "There has been a change in behavior of people who are using these classrooms. They feel like there is less responsibility and that they don't need to take care of the buildings on campus."

Fining groups that leave messes is an application of policy AD-62, which banned food from classrooms, Myrick said. He added that the fines will mostly apply to situations that demonstrate carelessness.

"The money will then go into a pot, which will go to pay the area that had to take care of the room and maintenance will be set up," he said.

Penn State President Graham Spanier said Tuesday at Faculty Senate that he wasn't familiar with the policy.

"It doesn't ring a bell," he said. "But it sounds like the policy's heart and spirit are in the right place."

Meray Schmucker, Pennharmonics concert manager, said she was warned about this policy for the group's a cappella concert Saturday. She said the room the group is using, which is 2,962 square feet, could end up costing a minimum charge of $740.50 if left out of order.

"I think it's a little much, but honestly, if they want the rules to be followed, I think they should have a high standard," she said. "Anytime you use someone else's space you should leave it better than it was when you got there."

Not just pertaining to food-related messes, Myrick said the policy will enforce "you break it, you buy it."

"If something is broken, they will have to pay to replace it or get it fixed," he said. "This has come about because of the past action of some of these groups. It's sad that it has to come to this, but there has become a lack of responsibility."

Myrick said he has heard of people jumping on furniture, shooting silly string, throwing confetti and making marks on furniture and equipment that are difficult to remove as examples of destructive behavior.

Schmucker said often times, the Pennharmonics have to clean up prior messes left by others.

Myrick said student groups will be given a phone number to report prior damage to ensure they are not charged for messes they did not create.

Bob Brouse, supervisor of the HUB-Robeson Center information desk, which is responsible for scheduling student events, said prior to events, students must sign a paper pledging to not be destructive.

"It says they have to clean up after themselves, put furniture back that they may move and things like that," he said.

Brouse said the charging of student groups for disorderly areas has not officially been added to the HUB scheduling contract.

"There is more discussion of this going on," he said. "We are just passing caution right now and telling students to be careful in their rooms where events are being held."

Myrick said no cost will be incurred if messes are made during credit course times.

"At this point, we aren't doing that, but if there has been some destruction, there will certainly be some discussion with the dean of the college," he said.

Myrick said janitorial staff has seen significant improvement in trash control since the policy AD-62 food ban was enforced at the beginning of the semester.

--Collegian Staff Writer Elaine Hughes contributed to this report