In the time since University President Amy Gutmann asked me to serve as interim provost, I've had occasion to reflect on what "interim" means. Literally, it means that I will remain in this role only temporarily, until a new provost takes office some months from now.

In a sport predicated on individual accomplishments, 11th-ranked 149-pounder Cesar Grajales and the No. 24 Penn wrestling team (12-7, 6-3 EIWA) understand the importance of unity. Grajales sees ardent support from fellow Quaker grapplers as a major factor to being successful at this weekend's NCAA Tournament, which runs today through Saturday at the Scottrade Center in St.

Yesterday, students and researchers gained a new perspective on visual attention in children. At the Institute for Research in Cognitive Science, Sabrina Smith, Neurology and Pediatrics professor at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, delivered a talk that addressed her recent research on visuospatial defects in children who have experienced neonatal and pediatric stroke.

At a demonstration Monday at The Susquehanna International Group Center for Graphics, a student volunteer attached sensory markers to her legs, and a crowd watched as her cartwheels were imitated on a screen by an animated pair of legs. The demonstration held for graduate students showed off the center's new motion-capture studio, the largest academic motion-capture studio in the region, and part of renovations to the building completed in January.

Like many urban universities, Penn often has a contentious relationship with its neighbors, a natural clash born out of differing viewpoints, goals and interests. But the University should have put more effort into dialogue with the community in its recent conversations with West Philadelphia residents concerning the proposed extended-stay hotel on the corner of 40th and Pine streets.

Janice Dow is an College sophomore from Los Angeles. Her e-mail address is dow@dailypennsylvanian.com.

Marisa Lozano, Penn State's leading scorer, will have her big sister there at Bigler Field to watch her take on the Penn women's lacrosse team tonight. But her sister won't be there for support - Gloria Lozano will be on the opposing team's sideline. The elder Lozano has been Penn's assistant coach for five years.

Assault March 7 - Police arrested a 15-year-old female suspect for allegedly assaulting another 15-year-old girl at the 4000 block of Sansom Street at about 6:15 p.m. Both parties are unaffiliated with the University. Theft March 6 - A woman unaffiliated with the University reported that an unknown suspect removed her unattended wallet from the Food Court at 3409 Walnut St.

The players on Penn's baseball team have an annual obligation to forego college students' favorite pastime, spring break, in favor of America's. Nevertheless they are feeling as fresh as any college student after their success on the spring trip, which they hope to continue today against Temple.

For some, last week's spring break was an opportunity to help the less fortunate. Students traveled across the United States and beyond to give back through activities such as building houses and tutoring disadvantaged children. Here are the stories of four students who participated in four different trips in places ranging from Mexico to Philadelphia.

The recent demolition of an old mansion has left Spruce Hill resistant to the way the neighborhood is being reshaped. The site at 4224 Baltimore Avenue - built in 1860 - has been demolished by James Campanella over the objections of other residents of the area.

While many Penn students jetted off to tropical locations last week, I forwent the daiquiris and drug cartels of Cancun in favor of budget-friendly Buffalo, where I could enjoy home-cooked meals and free laundry. If it were any other year, I would not be admitting to such a lame spring break - and I certainly would not be writing it for all of Penn to read.

Jimmy John's hosts $1 sub day Thursday In this economic crisis, a dollar can barely buy an item at the food carts on Spruce - but tomorrow, one dollar can purchase a gourmet sub. Jimmy John's, located at 3925 Walnut St., will be selling its signature subs for only a dollar from 11 a.

Ever seen that "game of inches" speech from Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday? Man, does that fire me up. It's pop culture Red Bull - like a '70s Springsteen track or watching the Celtics fail. "Look at the guy next to you," Pacino sermonizes to his fictitious Dallas Sharks football team before the big game.

The tide has turned. So Penn softball hopes, at least. The Quakers went 3-7 on their spring break trip to Orlando, Fla., where they competed in the Rebel Spring Games. One of those wins, however, came in Penn's last game. After losing five games in four days, the Red and Blue pulled out a 3-2 nailbiter against Florida A&M; that sent them home with momentum on their side.

At Sigma Alpha Mu yesterday, World War II was revisited - over Coke and Thai takeout. SAM brothers crowded their chapter house to hear History professor Tom Childers discuss the war, addressing topics from veterans' mental disorders to the political consequences of Hitler's table talks.

This week, the Penn Women's Center is celebrating its 35th anniversary with several service projects to benefit the Women Against Abuse shelter, Philadelphia's sole domestic-violence center. However, 35 years ago, PWC had to fight to establish itself as a home for women on campus before it could tackle domestic violence elsewhere.