Builders and developers nationwide are increasingly targeting universities to profit from a fast-selling college product: off-campus housing. By focusing their efforts on selling upscale, mixed-use apartments to the general public, developers have capitalized off the growing demand created by a record number of students enrolling at universities across the country.

From Stanford to Syracuse, new professors flocked from across the country to teach at Penn this year. But no matter where they come from, the people who get up and lecture to undergraduates each semester have gone through a rigorous selection process and training to meet the University's high standards.

The Division of Public Safety says changes to the walking-escort system are prompting positive feedback about the service. Beginning in November, DPS required Allied Barton security officers to carry visible photo IDs and give students a service card with their names and an e-mail address for feedback.

The Undergraduate Assembly met last night for the first time this semester under the leadership of new chairman College and Wharton senior Wilson Tong. A handful of freshmen who are interested in running for a UA seat attended the meeting and raised issues that they thought needed to be addressed after only a few weeks on campus.

Photos by Anna Cororaton, Andrew Gardner, Toby Hicks, Alyssa Rosenzweig, and Andrew Townley

In the past, acceptance into college was, for the most part, a black-and-white issue: The letter started with either words of congratulations or a regretful "We are sorry to inform you." But this year things didn't always end there. Many colleges - including Penn - accepted a large number of students off their waitlists, a trend some experts say is likely to continue in the near future.

From beat boxing to African drumming, if you have a performing-arts talent, Penn has a group for you. But with over 40 groups that are part of PAC in addition to other performing arts groups on campus, how do you get the scoop on which dance troupe or a cappella group to join? Freshman Performing Arts Night, sponsored by the Performing Arts Council, showcases many of Penn's dance, theater, a cappella, comedy, spoken word and other musical groups on campus in one night.

With the installation of new laundry machines in all of the College Houses, student will no longer need to save up their quarters - laundry will be free for the next two years. Housing Services recently signed a new contract with Equipment Marketers, a commercial laundry equipment distributor based in New Jersey.

While enticing people to visit a liquor store might not seem like a challenge on a college campus, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is launching a major effort to get more Pennsylvanians over age 21 to do just that. In the coming year, the PLCB will be re-branding its 621 stores to "create a whole new shopping experience for Pennsylvania consumers," Patrick Stapleton, chairman of the PLCB, said in a statement.

Sick and tired of boring burgers? Try the newest burger joint on campus: Top This. The new burger joint opened in 1920 Commons earlier this week. Top This replaced Chick-Fil-A, which closed at the end of last semester after several years on campus. According to Business Services spokeswoman Barbara Lea-Kruger, Penn Dining created Top This in response to a survey taken last spring and ongoing student feedback indicating that "Chick-Fil-A was just not popular," and students "would like to see something different.

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader will speak at Penn later this month. Nader will deliver the keynote address, titled "Social Justice in the Post-Bush Era," at the School of Social Policy and Practice's centennial celebration, according to a University press release.

Procrastinators rejoice - printing in your College House computer lab at 3 a.m. might now be possible. More of the College House computer labs are switching to having 24/7 access. However, some may be scaling back how many hours Information Technology Advisors work at help desks.

Even with the rising costs of flights and related fees this summer, students traveling great distances to Penn found themselves mostly unaffected. According to industry experts, a troubled economy and high oil prices have helped drive ticket and fee prices up.

Philadelphia could see heavy rains and strong winds this weekend as a result of Tropical Storm Hanna.

As the textbook industry adapts to the digital age, it is harnessing technology in a search for solutions to perennial frustrations over high costs. Most stakeholders agree that the future of textbooks is electronic, but their motives and methods are different.

Two former employees of the University filed discrimination lawsuits against Penn over the summer. In one case, Lucretia Nelson, a former employee at the University's Medical Center, is charging the Medical Center with harassment based on national origin and retaliation.

Rep. Bob Brady is starting things off here in northeastern Philly at the Ironworkers Union. Lots of union members in the audience, and the kind of working class voters Biden needs to appeal to on behalf of Obama.