In the face of an unexpected snowstorm, the population in the tent city at Beaver Stadium's Gate A has been reduced to zero.

Paternoville campers packed up their tents and went home Thursday afternoon after the decision was made to shut down Paternoville because of inclement weather.

Paternoville Coordination Committee (PCC) President Alex Cohen said the move was a joint decision between the PCC, the university and the athletic department. Campers will receive wristbands to gain entry to the stadium as long as they arrive by 11:45 a.m. Saturday, he said.

Associate Athletic Director Greg Myford said Cohen brought the idea to the athletic department.

"We spoke to Alex [Cohen] and the rest of the Paternoville leadership group yesterday about the issue," Myford said. "With cold temperatures forecasted, we knew it was a possibility that they would have to shut down, but we didn't know when."

Dan Saxton, public relations spokesman for Paternoville, said that at 1 a.m. Thursday about 205 students were camping in 25 to 30 tents.

He said Paternoville has been shut down because of inclement weather before, citing "hurricane warnings" that halted camping for the University of Akron game in 2006.

"No one is going to be mad," Saxton (senior-architectural engineering) said. "Whoever is supposed to sleep out for their group tonight, I'm sure they're definitely OK with this decision, because now they get to sleep in a warm bed."

That said, camper Mitch Hershey (senior-finance) said he thinks he and his fellow Paternoville-goers could have braved the elements until Saturday's game. The restriction takes away from Paternoville's atmosphere, he said.

Saxton understands where he's coming from -- campers are always torn when the weather is bad, because Paternoville is supposed to be for fans who are "hardcore and dedicated," he said. But he said he sees no point in camping out before the game if someone contracts pneumonia before it even starts.

Penn State spokeswoman Jill Shockey said the university has specific Paternoville policies, and one states that temperatures under 32 degrees "pose a threat to campers' health and campers must leave the tent city." The policy states that students can return once weather improves, but the forecast for the week shows no relief, Shockey said.

Saxton said Paternoville and the university are in constant communication throughout the week and the athletic department is "extremely supportive."

"People love braving the elements and camping out, but this is a restriction, not a suggestion," Saxton said.

Penn State has no reason to believe students are not following the policy and have heard no reports to the contrary, Shockey said.

Collegian Staff Writers Greg Cohen and Laurie Stern contributed to this report.