The number of minority graduate students is up - but the social and academic support for those students isn't keeping pace. Minorities, women and international students made up most of the two-percent growth in graduate students this past year, according to a recent report issued by the Council of Graduate Schools.

When College freshman Ben Epstein is asked what he would like to do after graduation, he says he wants to write. But on a campus where career paths like business and pre-med take center stage, such interests are often dismissed as dead-end hobbies. "People say 'that's nice, but impractical,'" Epstein said.

College freshman Michael Tomback ran outside as soon as he saw it. He spun in circles. He took photos. It was finally snowing. For Tomback and many other freshmen from warm climates, last week's snowfall was not only the first of the season - but the first of their lives.

The University announced a new financial aid policy Dec. 17, launching an initiative that will eliminate loans from all undergraduate financial aid packages within two years. Beginning in September 2008, undergraduate students with family incomes under $100,000 will receive loan-free packages, according to a University press release.

The "Making History" campaign is living up to its name, Penn administrators say. With $1.69 billion in the bank, the five-year fundraising effort is already at over 48 percent of its $3.5 billion goal after being launched publicly this past October.

For some students, Greek life starts before they reach college. Ninety years ago, 11 Jewish students at West Philadelphia High School founded what later would become an international organization that united Jewish high school boys from all over the Western hemisphere.

Twenty days. That's how long the Recording Industry Association of America gave Lindsey, a College junior, to decide if she wanted to pay a little or a lot. After receiving a pre-litigation letter in mid-November from the RIAA accusing her of illegally downloading 1,927 songs, Lindsey - who asked that her real name be withheld for privacy reasons - had less than a month to research her options.

By Priyanka Dev Staff Writer devpr@sas.upenn.edu With half the year gone already, the Undergraduate Assembly is hopeful that the next semester will bring tangible results to its big plans. The UA's Mid Year Report - released yesterday - lists over 40 initiatives that members introduced or worked on this past semester, but UA leaders say students will have to wait to reap the benefits.

Robbery Nov. 30 - A female unaffiliated with the University was reportedly approached on the 4000 block of Locust Street by several suspects who knocked her to the ground, kicked her and took her identification and credit cards at about 1:30 a.m. Assault Dec.

A lawsuit was filed Jan. 11 against the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on behalf of the family of Anne Ryan, a College sophomore who died of meningitis on Sept. 9th. Attorney Thomas Kline of Philadelphia law firm Kline & Specter has said that HUP misdiagnosed Ryan with a viral infection when she visited the emergency room three days prior to her death.

On Wednesday night, the Asian Pacific Student Coalition elected a new board, with College junior Benjamin Alisuag serving as chairman. The APSC serves as an umbrella organization for 20 student groups on campus. The group acts as a liaison between the Asian Pacific community and the University administration.

Penn President Amy Gutmann has announced a general timetable in the search for a new dean of admissions to replace Lee Stetson, the former dean who resigned mysteriously at the beginning of the semester. Gutmann said the search is proceeding on schedule, and a list of finalists should be complete by the middle of next semester.

Last night's student government address featured presentations by student leaders set to chart-topping hits like Pras' "Ghetto Supastar" and Mandy Moore's "Candy" - but the event wasn't all fun and games in the Nomination and Elections Committee's fifth annual State of the School Address.

While it might be snowing outside this week, Wharton students were warm in Huntsman Hall sipping hot chocolate at their annual Winter Whartonland event. Yesterday over 1000 students showed up to mark the final day of festivities. Hosted for the second straight year by the Wharton Council, the Winter Whartonland Festival was expanded from what used to be a one-day event to four full days of holiday-themed films, snacks and games.

Girl Scouts represent more than just campfire songs and brownie uniforms. Susan Miller, history undergraduate advisor, launched her new book Growing Girls: The Natural Origins of Girls' Organizations in America at the LGBT Center yesterday evening, in which she discusses the importance of organizations such as Girl Scouts.

Festive African rhythms played throughout Houston Hall yesterday, welcoming all Kwanzaa observers. Organized by UMOJA, yesterday's Kwanzaa feast emphasized the importance of unity and togetherness among members of the black community on campus. Kwanzaa, as introduced at the event by Wharton alum Daina Richie, reflects the importance of "family, community and culture.

This year, the Grinch has a new name: Facebook. The social-networking Web site has ruined the holidays for many users whose private online gift purchases were publicly displayed on the Facebook.com News Feed, inspiring potential lawsuits and a massive wave of online protest.