Being on the cutting edge is tough. The rapid rise in new technology means that brand-new computers may need to be replaced within years in order to keep up with the pace of new software development. Experts say that the time it takes to get a Penn degree is about the lifespan of the average iBook.

One female student was assaulted by a cab driver. Another was the victim of a hit-and-run. And both found help in an office in Houston Hall.

Forget the Big Apple - Penn students might want to give the City of Brotherly Love a chance after graduation, especially if they are seeking a job.

The qualities that colleagues praise in Wharton Dean Patrick Harker may be exactly what the University of Delaware wants in its new president.

Penn's partnerships with two public elementary schools may face significant funding cuts as part of the proposed Philadelphia School District budget. A provision in School District CEO Paul Vallas' $70 million budget cut proposal would reduce district funding for the partnerships by 10 percent this year, and 50 percent next year.

It's Wednesday night, and as usual, Mathilde Poussin has a long subway ride ahead of her, all the way from Penn's campus to the last stop on the Market-Frankford line. Her clothes are contemporary and her manner is unassuming; fellow passengers would probably never guess that zipped up inside the bag sitting next to her are swords, shields and a mask - the gear of a medieval fencer.

In 20 years in law enforcement, Peter Christ says he made drug-related arrests on a daily basis. Ever since he retired, however, he has been traveling the country to speak out against the so-called war on drugs - and to push for legalizing illicit ones. Christ spoke in Huntsman Hall Wednesday night to a crowd of about 40 people on behalf of the Penn Libertarians Association.

Students who want to tour 26.2 miles of Philadelphia the hard way are in for a treat this weekend. Around 9,000 runners will participate in the Philadelphia Marathon this Sunday, running through University City, past the Liberty Bell, through Penn's Landing and along the Schuylkill River before finally ending up at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

According to Alison Stones, Wharton may have a thing or two to learn from the medieval clergymen who founded the Santiago pilgrimage. Santiago managed to attract pilgrims from across Europe to see relics that didn't even exist. "It is absolutely fascinating how they successfully launched a commercial venture," she said.

Top area high-school students matched wits in a verbal battle on campus last night. The prize: $5,000 and a trip to the National Vocabulary Championship in New York. But Central High School junior Hannah Zickgraf proved too tough for her competitors. The event was run by the Game Show Network, which brought Dylan Lane - host of the Chain Reaction game show - along with giant TV screens, computerized podiums and an elaborate stage and lighting set-up to Harrison Auditorium in the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Last year, two students were arrested during Alpha Chi Omega's Big Man on Campus fundraiser. This year, the only law-enforcement officers who showed up - not counting security guards - were sorority sisters running the "Prison Break"-themed competition. A year after the annual fundraiser to raise money for Women Against Abuse ended in run-ins between students and police, this year's event was entertaining but safe.

For the 2 to 3 percent of students who seek the help of Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn and are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the illness is not something to ignore. A panel discussion about the disorder, held in Logan Hall last night before an audience of around 60, sought to dispel common myths surrounding it.

The University of Delaware is courting Wharton Dean Patrick Harker to be its next president, current Delaware President David Roselle has confirmed. Harker, who has been on the Wharton faculty for over 20 years, visited the Delaware campus yesterday and met with administrators

When Rocky Balboa is taking sides, you know this week's casino hearings are going to be a battle of heavyweights. On Monday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board started hearing final proposals from the 13 groups vying for five licenses to operate slots parlors in the state.

Americans can't count on the profit-driven food industry to address the U.S. obesity epidemic, Michele Simon, a public-health lawyer, said last night. Major food companies are pretending to be "part of the solution," when they actually lobby against sound nutrition policies, she said.

The InterFraternity Council elected Wharton junior Austin Pena as its next president last night. Pena, who serves as the president of Tau Epsilon Phi, spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about his plans for the IFC, which is the governing body for the majority of Penn's fraternities.