The Social Planning and Events Committee will unveil plans today for Spring Fling 2009 - scheduled for Apr. 17-18 - by officially announcing the theme and annual t-shirt design contest. The theme, "Some Flings Never Get Old," intends to evoke a taste of nostalgia through wordplay, explained College junior and SPEC Fling Co-Director Amber Calloway.

Penn's overall endowment had the largest percentage drop in market value among the top 20 funded universities in the 2008 fiscal year. Between July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, it lost 6.1 percent of its value, or $401.9 million, falling to $6.2 billion from $6.

If President Barack Obama's stimulus plan passes the Senate this week, large research-based institutions like Penn will receive funding toward scientific research, in addition to financial aid and study abroad initiatives. The increased research funding will impact the entire University, said School of Nursing Dean Afaf Meleis, but the focal point will be the sciences.

According to Hillel director Jeremy Brochin, Penn Hillel received a $1 million donation to run and revamp Hillel, as well as to support students. Anna Dubin, wife of the late Irwin Dubin, made the contribution in memory of her husband, a Penn alumnus. The donation will be paid over the course of several years.

In an effort to increase residential safety around campus after an armed home invasion and sexual assault on Dec. 19, the Division of Public Safety wants students to get to know their neighbors. DPS encouraged this community-based crime prevention technique, referred to as "Vertical Town Watch," during a meeting last week with University City landlords.

It's all in the numbers for Greek recruitment this year - and the numbers are looking good. The 2009 recruitment season attracted students in larger numbers than last year, in spite of concerns that, amid the economic crisis, the dues fraternity and sorority members must pay might deter students from rushing.

Penn's funding from the state would decrease by 16 percent in Gov. Ed Rendell's 2009-10 budget proposal, which was released yesterday. The appropriation would fall from $46.4 million to $38.8 million, according to the state's budget Web site. The largest share of this allotment would go to Penn's Veterinary School, the only school of its type in the state.

The White Dog Cafe has changed hands, but don't expect much else to change about the 26-year-old restaurant on Sansom Street. A contract between founder Judy Wicks and new majority owner Martin Grims will ensure the restaurant will continue its "socially-responsible business practices," Wicks said.

Despite the shaky economy, the University of Pennsylvania Press has had a successful year so far. While other university presses have faced declining sales in recent years, book sales are up 8 percent this year at Penn Press. In fact, says Director Eric Halpern, sales have actually increased by 20 percent over the last three years.

Midterms and papers are coming up, and students will be heading to Starbucks more than ever. But according to a new study, that extra latte may actually be beneficial to your health. According to research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease last month, a group of Danish and Swedish researchers found mid-year consumption of coffee diminishes the risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life.

Yesterday in the Arts Cafe of the Kelly Writers House, Judah Halevi's thousand-year-old poetry was brought to life through the passionate, musical voice of Ray Scheindlin. Last night, Scheindlin, a 1961 Penn alumnus, discussed and signed copies of his new book, The Song of the Distant Dove: Judah Halevi's Pilgrimage.

Many students participate in research studies to earn money or course credit. Others simply help out their parents. Child development researchers often study their surroundings - including their own children - in their work. Communication professor Deborah Linebarger was featured in The New York Times when she involved three of her four children in her child development studies.

When in Philadelphia, eat as the Romans eat. Capogiro Gelateria will be opening on the ground floor of the Radian early this April despite some initial "problems," according to Capogiro chef and owner Stephanie Reitano. Although she did not elaborate on the difficulties the company has been having, she specified that this restaurant will be different from Capogiro's other locations.

Almost exactly two years after 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's untimely death in January 2007, his brother Nicanor placed 10th at his debut race at Gulfstream Park near Hollywood, Fla., Saturday. But two years later, Barbaro still has a positive legacy, said Dean Richardson, the surgeon who treated the thoroughbred.

It's not every day the university president stops you to chat about your plans for the night, but students at Johns Hopkins University hope to experience just that as current Penn Provost Ron Daniels takes the helm after three-and-a-half years at Penn. On March 2, Daniels will officially succeed current Hopkins President Bill Brody, who after a 12-year term will become president of the Salk Institute.

View Larger Map

The next time you're desperately searching for an answer for a grueling scavenger hunt on campus or simply want to know where the LOVE statue is located, you might turn to the kgb for help. The Knowledge Generation Bureau, or kgb for short, recently launched a mobile search service that claims it can answer any question- via text message.