Students and their families at Brown University are getting a little more time to pay their bills, as economic circumstances make financing an education a bit more difficult. The school announced on Oct. 31 that it would implement a new initiative during its advanced registration which would allow students with up to $7,500 of debt to pre-register for classes.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina, like any No. 1 team worth its weight in hype, has a bevy of offensive weapons it can use on any given night. But in its season-opening 86-71 win over Penn at the Dean Smith Center, the Tar Heels weren't going to take a chance of faltering in their season opener.

After managing the volatile atmosphere surrounding the 2005 presidential inauguration and managing the police response to 9/11 in the nation's capital, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey had advice to share with students in College Hall last Friday.

By KRISTA HUTZ Senior Staff Writer hutzkm@dailypennsylvanian.com CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Quakers fans were braced for the worst going into Penn's season opener against No. 1 North Carolina. What they got wasn't Penn's best, but still a respectable 86-71 loss to the Tar Heels.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Here is the story. Glen Miller took Penn to visit North Carolina, the creme de la creme of college hoops, and got within 10 points with under four minutes to play. Not too shabby. "Well, I mean, we're never pleased with a loss. And we made a lot of mental mistakes out there . " Miller is stingy; you almost have to pry a compliment from his mouth.

Almost two weeks ago, many in this country stood up and chanted, "Yes we can!" The more accurate claim might have been, "Yes, some of us can." Some of us can marry, that is. On Nov. 4, three states passed measures to ban same-sex marriage, and none has proved more controversial than California's Proposition 8.

Signs, banners and chants surrounded City Hall on Saturday afternoon, as thousands of same-sex marriage supporters rallied in opposition to California's ban on gay marriage. "Out of the closet, into the street," yelled protesters in unison as they circled the downtown building, cutting off traffic for nearly half an hour along Market Street.

Volleyball senior Stephanie Gwin had to wait until Senior Night to get her first start this season, but she wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity. Sophomore Megan Tryon set her up on the first play of the Quakers' match against Brown, and the co-captain slammed a hard kill right down the middle.

Temperatures have dropped, Christmas decorations have arrived and finals are looming. Spring break has never seemed so far away. With four months until students can play in the sunny beaches of Acapulco or help rebuild homes in New Orleans, next semester's vacation plans should be in the back of everyone's minds.

A Gatorade shower in 40-degree weather never felt so good. Yesterday afternoon, coach Rudy Fuller happily had a cooler dumped on his head by his 2008 Ivy League Co-Champion Quakers. After 94 minutes in the freezing wind at Rhodes Field yesterday - in a match originally scheduled for Saturday night, postponed one day because of inclement weather - a winner had not been decided.

Though higher education is beginning to feel the weight of the economic crisis - in recent weeks some schools have explored the possibility of selling off private equity or have implemented hiring freezes - Penn is in better shape than many Ivy League schools.

Senior Leah Brogan has never qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championship. But after her 18th-place finish (out of 191 runners) at Saturday's Mid-Atlantic Regional, she may well be on her way. Now, it's up to the NCAA committee to decide. "She ran a great race," coach Gwen Harris said.

If Saturday's tournament at the 29th-annual Temple Fencing Collegiate Open serves as any indication of what the women's fencing team can expect from their freshmen this season, the Quakers do not need to worry. Penn brought home six medals, including three earned by freshmen, in a tournament that featured athletes from 32 different schools.

Defense lawyers and prosecutors agree that 2005 alumnus Edward Anderton is fully culpable for helping organize an identity-theft scam in which he and his ex-girlfriend stole about $119,000. But at a hearing Friday, the two sides were at odds about whether Anderton's remorse or the severity of his crimes should be the main factor in his sentencing.

The state of Pennsylvania recently approved a $2 million loan to the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation for the construction of a proposed hotel complex on 40th and Pine streets. Both the hotel developers, as well as state and local officials, hope the hotel - slated to be an extended-stay facility for families of patients in area hospitals - will serve as an economic catalyst in West Philadelphia.

Despite rumors that Alpha Chi Omega's annual Big Man on Campus philanthropy event was going to be cancelled this year, the event is expected to occur as planned this Thursday evening The participating students have signed a pledge not consume alcohol during the pageant and several members of Alpha Chi Omega national headquarters will be present to supervise the event, said Wharton senior and Interfraternity Council President David Ashkenazi.