Students across the country are falling victim to skin infections, physical injuries and viral diseases, all without even leaving the classroom. At Texas A&M;, for example, lab accidents in which students were exposed to biological weapons terminated research at the school's biodefense labs.

The Philadelphia Police officer who was shot during a North Philadelphia robbery died early yesterday morning, and police have increased efforts to hunt down the killer. Chuck Cassidy, who was shot at point-blank range once in the head after walking into a robbery in progress at a Dunkin' Donuts at 6620 N.

Coming off a disappointing road loss and facing its most pivotal match of the year, one thing is clear to the Penn women's soccer team: There's no place like home. The Quakers (11-3-1, 4-1 Ivy) hope to feed off of the Rhodes Field crowd Saturday night with Princeton (8-6-1, 4-1) coming to town.

Investing with a conscience To The Editor: We agree: Penn's endowment campaign could help make President Gutmann a hero of higher education (10/25/2007 "Looking Ahead"). The funds raised will let Penn uphold its commitment to principled research and study for the benefit of our local and global community.

After losing so many close games despite playing great football, the Penn defense was fed up. But after a grueling battle with both offenses struggling to find their rhythm, the Quakers' defense finally took control and delivered a win, shutting out Princeton, 7-0, at Franklin Field on Saturday.

'Penn is an urban college campus, well-integrated into a vibrant University City community, which offers students, staff and faculty access to a wonderfully diverse cultural, arts and restaurant scene." Thus proclaims the Division of Public Safety's Web site.

Amy Gutmann was a "casual Penn President" at her Halloween party Wednesday night. Gutmann, who has dressed up as Glinda the Good Witch, Willy Wonka and the Statue of Liberty in previous years, noticeably stood out this year dressed in Penn winter apparel.

Missed opportunities. Penn men's soccer coach Rudy Fuller chose to describe the Quakers' performance this season in less than flattering terms. And, with too many missed opportunities, it appears that an Ivy League title and playoff berth are out of reach.

The Penn volleyball team has already beaten Harvard and Dartmouth. And, if they want to keep their title hopes alive, they will have to do it again this weekend. Two weeks ago, the Quakers swept Harvard and beat a strong Dartmouth team 3-1. "I think we should have beat Dartmouth in three the last time," freshman libero Madison Wojciechowski said.

Penn students might soon be able to find a business education outside Huntsman Hall, but without Wharton's blessing. College administrators, along with the Dean's Advisory Board, are working on a plan to create a new, business-based minor called B-FLAT - Budgeting, Finance, Leadership and Teamwork.

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

Penn's next admissions dean: a Sunday Times reader? University officials are now in full swing in their search for a replacement for former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson, most notably with a series of advertisements that have recently run in several publications.

It's not easy being green. But in this day and age, what with Al Gore winning a Nobel Peace Prize for his inconvenient truth about global climate change and Brad Pitt zooming around Hollywood in his hybrid car, you almost feel pressured to turn off the tap water while brushing your teeth to save that extra three kilograms of CO2 per year.

Stolen cash and a few missing DVDs prompted officials to send an e-mail yesterday morning warning about a potential rash of theft in Riepe College House. The e-mail, sent by House Coordinator Huong Tansey, noted "a series of theft in students' rooms throughout the Quad and on campus.

Of all the things students look for in a university "ability to keep secrets" generally isn't a coveted quality. The administration (or at least the handful that are in the know) seem to be having trouble grasping this. In September, in an effort to uncover the truth about Dean Stetson's mysterious resignation, we appealed to the administration's sense of accountability to the Penn community . to no avail.

Rina Thomas is a Wharton and College senior from New Orleans. Her e-mail address is thomas@dailypennsylvanian.com. The Gospel According to Thomas appears on Thursdays.

Joanne Tong is a Wharton senior from Manila, Philippines. Her e-mail address is tong@dailypennsylvanian.com.