After much speculation from members across the Penn State community, Penn State Live has confirmed that the residence halls at University Park will open at 5 p.m. this Friday, November 26. Previously the university was promoting that dorms would not be open until 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 27.

Football fans are hoping this change will encourage more students to come back for the last game of the season. With the noon kickoff of the Michigan State game, allowing students to return the night before rather than hours before should ease the burdens of travel.

Although students will have access to the dorms, the commons desks, and the Penn State ID Card Office, there will be no dining services open at all on Friday. So pack those Thanksgiving leftovers and head back to your second homes to cheer on Penn State one last time this fall.

I’m planning on showing up early Friday morning, demanding that they let me in. After all, it’s 5:00 somewhere, right?