Alex Jacobson is a College junior from Los Angeles. His e-mail address is jacobson@dailypennsylvanian.com.

SEPTA isn't perfect. With many issues to address - cleanliness, capacity and fare-collection modernization - signage doesn't rise to the top of the improvements list. Still, installing understandable signs outside SEPTA stations will help riders and tourists navigate the maze of subway, regional rail and trolley routes.

Torn labrum. Broken hand. Broken toe. Fill-in-the-blank hip. Fill-in-the-blank foot. These are just some of the injuries beleaguering Penn's swimming teams. But the Quakers will have to rebound quickly, as the men travel to Columbia for a 7 p.m. meet today, and the women host the Lions on Sunday at 2 p.

The trauma unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is not for the faint of heart. Engineering sophomore Kathryn Downes learned that the hard way last weekend. While participating in the Penn Women's Biomedical Society program that gives students the opportunity to shadow HUP trauma doctors, she was asked to cut a victim's suture - the wire used to sew up a patient's wounds.

In 2005-06, it was Eric Osmundson. In 2006-07, it was Ibrahim Jaaber. Last year, it was Brian Grandieri. For the last three seasons, the Quakers have had a clear floor general and locker room presence, a leader both on and off the court. But this year, with five seniors - Kevin Egee, Cam Lewis, Aron Cohen, Brennan Votel and Tommy McMahon - on the Red and Blue's roster, it is unclear who will step into the captain's shoes.

Tomorrow is all about a second chance. When the Penn football team lost to Brown, 34-27, on Homecoming two Saturdays ago, the Quakers needed some help if they wanted to win an Ivy League title. But with Brown's 13-3 loss to Yale on Saturday and Penn's 14-9 victory over Princeton on Friday, the Quakers (5-3, 4-1 Ivy) find themselves tied with the Bears atop the league standings.

Last year: North Carolina 106, Penn 71. Year before: North Carolina 102, Penn 64. Things that have changed between then and now: not much. As Penn heads to Chapel Hill, N.C., for a date tomorrow with the first-ever unanimous preseason No. 1, for the final game of this three-year set with the Tar Heels, is there anything left to say except yikes? True, the Quakers have traveled this road twice before and have briefly put on a good show each time, but their problems are compounded this time.

Philadelphia's trying to make sure you think twice before ordering that cheesesteak. Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance that requires chain food establishments to display nutritional information with menus, starting in 2010. The law only applies to eateries with 15 or more locations, so it won't harm small businesses.

When it comes to getting a job in the current economy, many students around the country are giving up on themselves and their dreams too quickly. CBS president Nancy Tellem said students should think twice before selling themselves out to the highest bidder.

As part of the effort to reinvigorate America's economy and achieve energy independence, Obama proposes investing $150 billion over the next 10 years in alternative fuel technology. Obama claims this policy measure will create five million new "green-collar" jobs.

That juicy burger or seductive dessert will come with an unexpected add-on in 2010: a calorie count. Philadelphia City Council passed a bill last week requiring chain restaurants to provide nutritional information on their menu boards. Chains with more than 15 locations, including national giants like McDonald's and Starbucks, as well as regional chains such as Saladworks, are now required to provide calorie counts, grams of saturated and trans fats, as well as carbohydrate and sodium information for their menu items.

This is what March Madness clip reels are made of, what Dickie V likes to think about before launching into his trademark "slippaaa still fits!" routine. An undersized, undermanned challenger taking it to the major conference power with future NBA talent on its sideline? Ivy League teams weren't supposed to do this anymore, not in 2006.

It was the United States that elected a president last week, but the entire world was engaged in the experience. And just like Penn students, young people around the globe tuned in to the ups and downs of the campaign process. For some international students at Penn, witnessing the American election system in action has highlighted political differences in their home countries.

While colleagues aren't yet waving farewell to Provost Ron Daniels, who was elected president of Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday, they acknowledge that his eventual successor has large shoes to fill. In just three years at Penn, Daniels has shown himself to be extremely active in the community and has made several subtle imprints on student life and academic curricula at Penn.

In an election that made history on many levels, Barack Obama's presidency will mark the first time the president, vice president and both their spouses have worked in higher education. Vice President Joe Biden is an adjunct law professor at Widener University, Jill Biden teaches at a Delaware community college and Michelle Obama worked in the administration and hospital system at the University of Chicago.

Classic movies will never look the same after seeing Strictly Funk's cinema-inspired show this weekend. The dance company is performing "Lights, Camera, Funk!" at the Iron Gate Theatre at 9 p.m. on Friday . There will be two encore performances on Saturday at 5:30 and 8:30 p.

The Division of Public Safety has begun providing the public with more information about sex crimes that occur in the Penn patrol zone. The changes were made after The Daily Pennsylvanian raised concerns that the University was withholding information it was required to disclose under federal law.