When do Penn students, staff and administration collaborate to promote a cause? Yesterday - at RecycleMania's latest event, the signing of the Recycling Pledge in Houston Hall. Students signed the pledge, which encourages them to take action by learning about recycling and waste reduction and lead by example.

From 50 Cent to Eminem, hip-hop artists have been accused of inciting violence and sexism, but are they also trying to inspire? Last night at Houston Hall, the Race Dialogue Project held the event "Soulja Boys: Hip-hop, Violence, and the New Civil Rights" to address such a question.

One participant's aunt has terminal cancer. She has three more weeks to live. Another participant had leukemia at age three. Together they are working to find a cure for cancer. Colleges Against Cancer at Penn is sponsoring the fifth annual Relay for Life event.

Two years after the implementation of Operation Safe - Penn's $5-million safety initiative spurred after a student was shot on campus in 2006 - officials and students say safety is improving and measures to improve security are continuing. Started after then-Engineering sophomore Mari Oishi was hit in the thigh by a stray bullet near 38th and Walnut streets in January 2006, the security plan has added lighting and cameras, as well as increased the number and visibility of Penn Police and security guards.

Colleges across the country are rolling out new financial-aid initiatives and, at the same time, ramping up efforts to reach out to the students these policies will benefit. Mailings advertising bigger and better aid packages, admissions representatives traveling the country and private college-matching services are quickly gaining favor with selective institutions around the country.

After a 3,700-mile trans-Atlantic journey and a police escort, the first cyclotron to be located in the mid-Atlantic region arrived at Penn's Roberts Proton Therapy Center yesterday morning. The 220-ton particle accelerator was constructed in Belgium and escorted through Philadelphia yesterday by the Port Authority of Pennsylvania on a specially built 19-axle, 200-foot long truck to Penn.

The Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities at Penn made history last night. With the launch of a new collaborative initiative called Bridging the Gap, these communities took a step toward building long-lasting working relationships within the Penn community.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is already offering her advice to the next president. "The best part about not being Secretary of State is being able to answer questions," Albright said in front of nearly 600 people at the Free Library of Philadelphia yesterday afternoon.

Robbery Jan. 18 - John Williams, 56, no address available, was arrested by the Penn Police for allegedly forcibly attempting to leave the CVS on 34th and Walnut streets without rendering payments for items at about 10:40 a.m. Assault Jan. 18 - Christine Rogers, 28, of the 2400 block of Glenwood Ave, was arrested for allegedly becoming aggressive with a parking-enforcement agent after being issued a parking violation at about 5:25 p.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States. But if your heart skips a beat, or several hundred, it's not likely you will receive CPR until emergency help arrives, the American Heart Association said in a statement this month. However, Penn is working to provide training and equipment to University staff in hopes of remedying the situation.

Some join them out of legitimate interest or for a heightened sense of community. Others just use them to get into the Quad. But whatever their ultimate purpose, several residential programs are changing at Penn. Residential programs "give a place like Fisher Hassenfeld, which is a house of about 500 students" a place "to feel more connected and a little more at home," said College Houses and Academic Services director Leslie Delauter.

Want to go on a bike ride? In 60 cities worldwide, it's easier than ever with public-use bicycle programs - and it could be just as easy in Philadelphia in the future. Russell Meddin, a local activist, is working toward implementing a public-use bicycle program in Philadelphia in order to promote environmentally friendly travel.

The Division of Public Safety is launching an anti-theft campaign today with the goal of raising awareness and bringing opportunity theft down, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said. DPS decided to launch the campaign because 80 percent of all crime reported in the Penn patrol zone during the fall semester was theft.

With two courses in management under their belts, some Wharton sophomores are invited to put their skills to the test - by managing their own classrooms. Management 100 team advisors, unlike traditional teaching assistants, are educators, facilitators, mentors, fans, even friends, all at once.

College can be hazardous. Coughs spread germs through lecture halls, stress- induced migraines can leave you incapacitated and drunken weekends can leave you bumped, bruised or worse. Fortunately, if you're unfortunate enough to make a trip to the emergency room, you will be in good hands with Dr.

Over the past few weeks, a developmental eyesore has been replaced by the sleek exoskeleton of a new building. Construction on the Radian, located at 39th and Walnut streets, is progressing on schedule, according to developer Inland American Communities Group.

The weak U.S. economy and the low value of the dollar abroad mean increased tourism - and foreign money - for the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia experienced a dramatic increase in international tourism from 2000 to 2005 said Fritz Smith, director of international and domestic tourism at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.