For some students, taking a gap year comes not only with a broader world view, but also a lighter wallet. While traditional gap year programs may cost thousands of dollars, a few are finding ways to lessen the financial burden. VIDEO: Word on the Walk: Gap years

The City broke ground Monday on a $50-million renovation of Dilworth Plaza, the public square west of City Hall that was formerly the site of the Occupy Philadelphia encampment. INTERACTIVE: Dilworth Plaza Construction

The American Psychiatric Association is looking to redefine autism, which may have a large effect on those currently suffering from the disorder.

Energy company PECO put a new substation to use earlier this month, replacing one that was over 100 years old. The new Peltz substation, which serves University City and part of Center City, replaced the Schuylkill substation.

Penn students who oppose the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions conference now have a formalized venue in which they can voice their opinion. TOPICS: BDS Conference

Last week, Wharton junior Scott Dzialo was elected the new chair of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. Dzialo, who formerly served as vice chair of SCUE, sat down with The Daily Pennsylvanian to discuss some of his goals for the year ahead.

This year, the Jewish holiday of Passover, which will last from Apr. 6 to 14, will coincide with Spring Fling weekend, scheduled for Apr. 13 and 14.

Sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the LGBT advocacy conference — the largest of its kind — drew about 3,000 participants, ranging from students to activists from all over the country.

Kevin Neary, who suffered a life-threatening neck injury, will be released from the hospital in approximately three weeks. The 2004 College graduate was shot in the neck during an attempted robbery last November in the Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia.

Around fifteen hundred people filled Merriam Theater in Center City for PhillyFest, a celebration of South Asian culture that aims “to build understanding and acceptance for diversity.”

While the majority of Philadelphia homicides are black-on-black, a mere increase in policing might not be the best solution. Philadelphia homicides are concentrated in neighborhoods with young black men can be a disadvantage when trying to solve homicide cases.

Defying the job-cutting trends across many industries, technology companies are offering attractive career prospects to college students.

An annual event organized by the Dance Arts Council, the dance benefit paid tribute to Emily Sachs, a Class of 1998 College student and dancer who died in 1995 from a severe asthma attack.

While President Barack Obama is in the process of rolling out a series of bold new higher education initiatives, Penn administrators say the White House’s ideas will likely leave the University untouched.

A new Philadelphia City Council bill, which would allow local bars to remain open until 3 a.m., is being introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. The bill would extend the current closing time by an hour.

Starting today, UMOJA — the umbrella organization for black student groups at Penn — will combine themes such as black heritage and social justice as part of a week-long celebration.

Alpha Omega Epsilon’s chapter at Penn — the University’s first-ever engineering sorority — had its official chapter installation on Saturday.