In an effort to stem the flow of alcohol into the Quadrangle in the weeks leading up to Spring Fling, Quad security guards have stepped up the depth of their searches of students' belongings. Slated to go into effect today, the new policy - which allows random strip searches of students who are suspected of carrying alcohol on their person - is meeting intense criticism from various groups on campus. Their objections range from privacy issues to fears that female Quad residents will be targeted.

A senior admitted to the hospital last week has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human strain of bovine spongiform encephalopathy - commonly known as Mad Cow disease. The disease is fatal, and there is no known treatment or cure.

In a controversial effort to provide a final bit of wisdom before students graduate, the Wharton School has invited New York financier Bernie Madoff to speak at this year's graduation ceremony. Madoff, former non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, has recently become known for his elaborate Ponzi scheme for which he pled guilty to an 11-count criminal complaint in March. He will address Wharton's Class of 2009 via videoconference on May 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Franklin Field.

Wawa and the Division of Public Safety recently agreed to shorten Wawa's hours of operation in response to a fight that occurred last week between two intoxicated students inside the store. There are also rumors that the University is considering shortening the hours of 1920 Commons and Houston Market in response to security concerns, but Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush would not confirm these rumors.

There's something rotten in the State of Student Government. The pristine facade of last week's student government election was shattered last night as the Nominations and Elections Committee admitted that previously unacknowledged foul play had tainted the election.

In a surprise move, University officials announced that former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson will return to Penn as the "Admissions Czar" to act as a consultant to Admissions Dean Eric Furda. This announcement came as a result of the increased acceptance rate for the class of 2013.

Penn students will no longer have to venture past DRL to get their weekly dose of flavored condoms and furry handcuffs. Condom Kingdom has reached a business climax with the opening of a new branch in the retail belt under the Radian, joining the recently opened CVS, Jimmy John’s and Chipotle.

Next year, Wharton students can experience a whole new kind of Banker's Club. Next fall, the Preceptorials Committee will offer a course on Banker's Club - a popular alcohol brand which produces such liquors as rum, vodka, whiskey, bourbon, gin, scotch and brandy.

Theft Mar. 27 - A male student, 22, reported at about 2:30 p.m. that $30 were stolen from his wallet by an unknown suspect wearing a SPEC t-shirt on Locust Walk. Mar. 28 - A woman unaffiliated with the University reported at about 4 p.m. that she was "flim-flammed" by an unknown suspect at the cash register in Wawa, located at 3744 Spruce St.

Although student-government elections just ended, some students still plan to get a piece of political action in the municipal primary elections on May 19. Wharton sophomore Nick Greif is running for inspector of elections for the 11th district of the 27th ward.

Sunday's Undergraduate Assembly meeting marked the final chance for outgoing members to convene for new business. Not going out without a fight, the group's agenda included eight items of new business, lasting four hours. While the Senior Class Board's request for Final Toast and the Meal Donation Proposal deal with more current matters, the proposals on Intellectual Property Rights, Textbook Affordability and class exemption for those celebrating Diwali clearly had an eye to the future.

It is not uncommon at Penn to see students pull out their cell phones in the middle of a lecture and respond to an e-mail or text message from a friend. But students may now have their cell phones out for other reasons - such as checking grades. Last week, Blackboard released Blackboard Learn for Apple iPhone, a free application that lets students use their iPhone or iPod Touch to access information about their courses through notifications and alerts.

Wharton undergraduate Aaron Hand was arrested for allegedly making threats at Hill College House early Friday morning. He was charged with possession of an instrument of crime, making terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another person, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Students can take a little longer to clean out their rooms after finals next month. The move-out deadline for undergraduates living in on-campus housing has been extended five hours until 5 p.m. on May 13. Graduating seniors and students who receive housing extensions from Housing and Conference Services will be allowed to remain past the deadline.

For the 800,000 women in Philadelphia, 85 percent of whom will give birth in their lifetime, the choices are limited. There are "only six places to give birth within in the city limits" remarked Ruth Wilf, a local childbirth activist and speaker at a lecture held last night at Civic House. During the event, Wilf and two other experts addressed reproductive health as part of an ongoing series of activities that tie in with National Public Health Week, which runs through April 12.

Despite rumors of its closing and competition from the neighboring Chipotle and Qdoba, Mexicali will keep its doors open. According to its general manager, Mexicali is "not going out of business." Mexicali, located at 110 S. 40th St., offers an array of Mexican cuisine, providing a casual take-out venue.

Theft Mar. 27 - A male student, 22, reported at about 2:30 p.m. that $30 were stolen from his wallet by an unknown suspect wearing a SPEC t-shirt on Locust Walk. Mar. 28 - A woman unaffiliated with the University reported at about 4 p.m. that she was "flim-flammed" by an unknown suspect at the cash register in Wawa, located at 3744 Spruce St.