Festive African rhythms played throughout Houston Hall yesterday, welcoming all Kwanzaa observers. Organized by UMOJA, yesterday's Kwanzaa feast emphasized the importance of unity and togetherness among members of the black community on campus. Kwanzaa, as introduced at the event by Wharton alum Daina Richie, reflects the importance of "family, community and culture.

About a month ago, I wrote a column in response to the shootings outside Koko Bongo nightclub, in which dozens of shots were fired and one person was killed. My outrage was directed primarily at Penn's Division of Public Safety. I accused them of being misguided and failing to do enough to protect students.

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. Moments after his team finished an admirable comeback down the stretch at Monmouth, Glen Miller reflected on an adjustment he made which looked dumb if all you saw was the box score. Freshman Conor Turley played 17 minutes on Saturday; he'd played 19 in total before that.

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J., Dec. 8 - The story for the Penn men's basketball team this season has been its youth. But for once, on Saturday night the Quakers actually looked like the more experienced team on the court. In a game that gave the feeling it would go down to the wire, Penn used a 10-0 run late in the second half to defeat Monmouth 69-61.

This year, the Grinch has a new name: Facebook. The social-networking Web site has ruined the holidays for many users whose private online gift purchases were publicly displayed on the Facebook.com News Feed, inspiring potential lawsuits and a massive wave of online protest.

The next major contributions to stem cell research may be made at Penn. The Institute of Regenerative Medicine, which was established on Nov. 27 by Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ron Daniels, will research the potentials in stem cell biology. The institute's research will be used to develop new therapies to treat a broad spectrum of diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Forget the Penn and Princeton rivalry. When the women's swim team faces off against the Columbia Lions tonight, that's when the competition will get really heated. "It is a great rivalry," said head coach Mike Schnur. "Neither team really likes each other a lot.

When Penn plays Monmouth on Saturday, the home team comes in with only two wins, three freshman starters, a deep rotation and a sub-30 percent clip from three. And no, the game isn't at the Palestra. "We're starting three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior, so in some ways we're very similar, even in record," Monmouth coach Dave Calloway said.

An insensitive choice of words To the editor: While there is no shortage of derogatory language circulating on Penn's campus, I was shocked to see an example printed in the pages of Friday's DP. In his article "It's the network (or lack thereof)", Stephen Krewson nonchalantly uses the term "retard" to describe Sen.

With 25 Ivy League titles in 53 years, it's obvious that Penn men's basketball is a successful program. But why are the Quakers so strong year-in and year-out? In his book Jumping Through Hoops: Why Penn Wins, Dr. Harold Gullan answers this question. By following the Quakers during their 2005-06 season, Gullan writes not just about basketball, but about the entire atmosphere surrounding the Quakers' program.

Penn men's swimming coach Mike Schnur is sick and tired of standing alone. Of all the men currently part of the Quakers' swimming program, Schnur is the only one who has ever beaten Columbia in a meet. "It's about time we changed that," Schnur said. The Quakers will have a chance to do just that on Saturday, when they host the Lions at Sheerr Pool at noon.

Avery Lawrence is a College senior from Charlottesville, Va. His e-mail address is lawrence@dailypennsylvanian.com.

On Wednesday night, the Asian Pacific Student Coalition elected a new board, with College junior Benjamin Alisuag serving as chairman. The APSC serves as an umbrella organization for 20 student groups on campus. The group acts as a liaison between the Asian Pacific community and the University administration.

Penn President Amy Gutmann has announced a general timetable in the search for a new dean of admissions to replace Lee Stetson, the former dean who resigned mysteriously at the beginning of the semester. Gutmann said the search is proceeding on schedule, and a list of finalists should be complete by the middle of next semester.

Penn's eastward expansion over the blighted postal lands has been greeted with mostly nods and applause. But what if the renewal project built casino resorts instead of nanotechnology centers or dorms? Whether you like it or not, two casinos are going to break grounds along the Delaware River waterfront in a few weeks.

Last night's student government address featured presentations by student leaders set to chart-topping hits like Pras' "Ghetto Supastar" and Mandy Moore's "Candy" - but the event wasn't all fun and games in the Nomination and Elections Committee's fifth annual State of the School Address.

The Latino Coalition elected its new board for the upcoming year last night in Huntsman Hall. An umbrella organization for Penn's 23 Latino-interest student groups, LC tackles a broad range of issues including Latino faculty recruitment and increasing admission of Latino students.