In recent weeks, there has been much gripe amongst students regarding the latest fixture to the HUB lawn: a fenced-in construction zone.

As previously reported, the area has been closed to make way for the construction of a new Biobehavioral Health below the Henderson Building where there was once a parking lot. A map of the construction area can be found here courtesy of Penn State Live.

The fencing has prompted uneasy reaction from many students. A Facebook event called “HUB Lawn ’til it’s Gone” was created encouraging students to increase recreational use of the lawn on a certain day, but has since been deleted. In these reactions, there has been much confusion over the actual future of the lawn. The building will not take place of the fenced-off section of the HUB lawn. The enclosed area merely serves as a safety precaution during the construction.

While the fence does block off approximately half of the lawn, the enclosed area will fluctuate until construction on the building is complete in November 2012. University Spokesman Geoff Rushton said that “the areas closed off vary by the building’s progress.”

The construction does create difficulties for travel across south campus, especially for those going between South Halls and buildings such as Willard and Hammond. However, if the fence serves as a nuisance in your daily walk, it is best to go around it. “Entering the fenced area without official authorization could be considered defiant trespass, a summary violation which results in a citation,” said Rushton.

The fence may pose an obstacle for both leisure and travel between classes, but for now it is something to get used to. Frisbee, tanning, and other recreation popular on the lawn will continue, albeit in closer quarters until construction is completed.