The departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security are all known institutions in American politics. But what about the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives? In an event sponsored by the Fox Leadership Program, Political Science professor and former director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives John DiIulio and current Office director Jay Hein discussed its purpose and its successes, failures and future.

The Ivy League's leading rusher and Yale's 34-carry-per game workhorse isn't going to be stopped by a toe injury. But it may be slowing him down. Against Penn, Mike McLeod hurt his right big toe before the end of the first half, playing through the pain for the rest of the game.

Philadelphia Police officials are not investigating possible police misconduct in the death of Lamar Bembry because they have evidence showing that Bembry, who was shot and killed by police during a gun battle early Sunday morning at 38th and Chestnut streets, was among one of the shooters on the scene, said Lt.

If Penn sprint football coach Bill Wagner thinks he had it rough on Saturday, he should spend a day in Tom Cocuzza's shoes. The Princeton coach was on the wrong end of an 83-0 drubbing at the hands of Navy, the team that Wagner accused of running up the score in a 56-7 wipeout of the Quakers last weekend.

With the amount of parity in Ivy League women's soccer the past few years, it would have been nearly impossible to predict the champions coming into this season. As expected, two weeks remain in the Ivy schedule and the title picture remains unclear. Although Penn and Princeton have the inside track to the title, tied atop the standings at 4-1, five schools in the Ancient Eight have a legitimate shot at grasping the crown.

Alicia Puglionesi is a College junior from Haverton, Pa. Her e-mail address is puglionesi@dailypennsylvanian.com.

In the squad cars and on the streets, citizens try to help stop the bleeding of Philadelphia's rising murder rate.

Remember the name. Mike Howlett has become the fourth member of Penn basketball's Class of 2012. Howlett, who is currently finishing a second prep year at the New Hampton School in New Hampshire, called Quakers coach Glen Miller on Sunday night to inform him of the decision, according to the young man's father, Jay.

Crime in West Philly may be old news, but you know it's bad when it reaches the hallowed halls of Van Pelt. Indeed, ten cases of theft have been reported to Penn Police since mid-September and many more have certainly gone unreported. According to the Division of Public Safety, 43 percent of total thefts since July have been the result of leaving possessions unattended.

Hark! Fellow Penn students, heed my call. A blue storm is gathering and glory is being showered on the cowardly dragons. In this, the last week of the fair month October, our honor is being challenged. The evil Drexelians have somehow managed to get ringside seats in the greatest tournament of our time.

School of Design Dean Gary Hack will leave the University this summer after finishing his twelve-year run as the school's top administrator. Engineering Dean Eduardo Glandt will serve as chairman for the committee responsible for replacing Hack, who will leave the school June 30, 2008.

On the north side of campus, things continue to go south. Sunday morning's gunfight at the corner of 38th and Chestnut streets only served to emphasize a growing trend, recognized as a mounting concern by both Penn and Philadelphia police.

For one Middle East expert, the conflict in the region could last for at least 30 to 40 more years. Addressing a conservative audience at the Union League of Philadelphia yesterday evening, Martin Kramer, a senior Middle East advisor to Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign, discussed issues with current U.

'Working to solve complex real-world problems is the best way to advance knowledge and learning." This sentiment, voiced by education reformer John Dewey, deserves stronger consideration from our university than it is presently receiving. Our community, West Philadelphia, has no shortage of problems.

Sometimes it's been injuries. Sometimes it's been turnovers. Sometimes it's been the kicking game. Saturday's game at Brown was a culmination of all of those pains that have plagued the Penn football team for the last three years. This latest re-enactment of the Quakers' nightmare came in a 31-17 loss at Brown (3-4, 2-2 Ivy) on Saturday.

University researchers have determined that particular brain waves help distinguish real memories from false ones, according to a press release. Their study is the first to show that brain waves predict the veracity of human memories. The findings from the experiments may also help advance research into epilepsy.

Five more years. The University Board of Trustees announced at its meeting on Oct. 19 that Penn President Amy Gutmann's contract has been extended for five years, securing her position as Penn's leader until 2014. The extension for Gutmann, who assumed the presidency in June 2004, comes 20 months before her contract was set to expire.