The recent demolition of an old mansion has left Spruce Hill resistant to the way the neighborhood is being reshaped. The site at 4224 Baltimore Avenue - built in 1860 - has been demolished by James Campanella over the objections of other residents of the area.

For some, last week's spring break was an opportunity to help the less fortunate. Students traveled across the United States and beyond to give back through activities such as building houses and tutoring disadvantaged children. Here are the stories of four students who participated in four different trips in places ranging from Mexico to Philadelphia.

The ever-growing encroachment of online social networking and electronic media on people's everyday lives begs the question of what effect these virtual interactions are having on the mind and body. According to a paper recently published in Biologist, the increasing displacement of face-to-face contact by time spent online can be associated with negative physiological changes.

Restaurant and bar Tap House is expected to open in the Radian Apartments Aug. 1, according to Brian Harrington, founder of Public House Investments, which owns the restaurant. He said he hopes it will be up and running before the bulk of the University community returns for the fall semester.

The undergraduate student hospitalized with meningococcal meningitis March 7 remains in critical condition but is stable and improving, University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman said yesterday. There are no new cases.

Counseling and Psychological Services named Bill Alexander as its new director last week. He assumes his position this month after ten years as deputy director of CAPS, according to a press release issued by the Vice Provost for University Life. Although he has worked there a long time, Alexander explained that this is a major change in his role and duties.

Former Wharton finance professor Anthony Santomero was just announced as one of four nominees to serve as directors of CitiGroup. The bank, once the largest in the world, is struggling to fix itself after posting a $37.5 billion net loss in the last five quarters.

Leonore Annenberg, emeritus trustee and founding member of the Annenberg School for Communication, died last Thursday morning at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at the age of 91. Annenberg was elected to the University's Board of Trustees in 1982, and was elected a life trustee in 1987.

Despite shifts in the economy, Penn continues to push ahead with its capital campaign, to date raising $2.3 billion - or 66 percent - of its $3.5 billion, seven-year Making History campaign goal. However, the school is seeing increased slowdowns in giving and expects that trend to persist until the economy picks itself up again.

At first glance, it's hard to see what all the fuss is about. The empty white house on the northwest corner of 40th and Pine streets may seem disappointing in a neighborhood of 19th century Italianate mansions. But Penn's plans to build a 10-story hotel on the site have been met with stiff community opposition that threatens Penn's relationship with its western neighbors.

March 12, 1:33 p.m. Leonore Annenberg, emeritus trustee and founding member of the Annenberg School for Communication, died Thursday morning in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at the age of 91. Annenberg was elected to the University's Board of Trustees in 1982, and was elected a life trustee in 1987.

During her two years living in Penn college houses, College sophomore Jessica Renny has never used a landline phone. "I've never plugged it in, and I don't even know the number," she said. Although every room in college houses and University-owned Greek houses is supposed to come with a landline phone and jack, it appears that fewer students are making use of the provided service - and the shift away from landlines is taking place across the country, too.

"Come, whoever you are, come." This quote by Jalalud'din Rumi, a 13th-century Muslim poet, was the message extended to those invited to the panel discussion last night, "Do religions oppress women?" Women and men of all faiths flocked to the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall for the conversation in recognition of International Women's Day, which this year will take place on March 8.

Many at Penn praise Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) for his instrumental work to increase the National Institutes of Health's budget by 34 percent in the stimulus package President Barack Obama signed Feb 17. Yet the unclear time frame for and method of distributing stimulus funding has caused much anticipation.

Updated March 16, 11:35 a.m. The undergraduate student hospitalized with meningococcal infection March 7 remains in critical condition but is stable and improving, according to University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman on Monday. The student was infected with strain B, the strain for which there is no vaccine, according to Holtzman.

Penn will initiate a four-year study with $5.5 million to find out more about prevention of staph infections. A Penn study will receive part of the annual Pennsylvania share of the national tobacco settlement funds this year, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Everette James announced last month.

Wharton dropped to third place in the Business Week Undergraduate Business School rankings, released last week, after commanding the top spot for three years.