A new semester has come to Penn State McKeesport.  But with it comes some problems concerning the residence hall.  At the first meeting to welcome new and returning students to residence life, students were told that they would have an extra fee on their semester bill.  Students will split $2000.00 in damages to the residence hall.  Most of the damages are confined to the recreation room.
   A lot of students feel that they shouldn’t have to pay the total bill.  “They have a bad impression of us, anyway,” said Tomika Smithwick (sophomore-advertising).  “Most of us can barely afford books and tuition.  We don’t need another charges.”  Alesia Mitchell (freshmen) was also displeased with the charges.  “Since the first day.  I’ve been in the recreation room a total of three times.” she said.  “I feel it’s unfair innocent people to get charged with things they didn’t do.”
   Cheryl M. Tallent (coordinator of residence life) explained why it was this way.  “Each student is given a housing contract.  All things are binding when you agree to sign it.  If we can’t find out the specific student responsible, then the damage bill is split evenly among the residence hall students.”  At the time of printing, university officials haven’t found out who is responsible for the vandalism.
   Danielle Wu (sophomore-mechanical engineering) sees the necessity of enforcing the housing contract.  She said, “We’re living in a community.  These regulations are to maintain the safety of the students.  It may seem petty, but these rules are needed to maintain a safe environment.”