When Penn established the Institute for Regenerative Medicine in late 2007, it made a major statement about the University's commitment to stem cell research. And even with struggles for funding in the biomedical sciences and some political opposition to stem cell research, Penn isn't having trouble fulfilling that commitment.

Two new groups on campus have embarked on a "quest" to "push" for more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender awareness. Queer Undergraduates in Engineering, Science and Technology, founded last semester, will primarily serve students studying science and technology in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or the College of Arts and Sciences.

Loftstel, a combination of "loft" and "hostel," is a house that provides temporary housing for guests - often students - who need a place to stay for anywhere from a night to six months. In addition to Philadelphia, it has locations in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.

The School of Arts and Sciences announced this week that the College of General Studies will be renamed the College of Liberal and Professional Studies next Tuesday with the hopes of better reflecting the school's mission. According to executive director of CGS Kristine Billmyer, the project has been in the works for approximately 18 months.

By ELIZABETH RUBIN Staff Writer elizr@dailypennsylvanian.com Matt Amalfitano was the only Jewish student in his high-school graduating class of 300 in Hagerstown, Md. So for the College sophomore, the strong Jewish community at Penn was a significant factor in his decision to enroll.

When it comes to picking a PIK professor, the requirements are stiff, and the stakes are high. PIK, or Penn Integrates Knowledge, professors hold joint appointments in two departments in two schools in the University. They teach courses and direct research within their interdisciplinary field, collaborating with colleagues and students in both schools.

As students become more focused on going green, college guide books have created ways to measure sustainability on campuses. And for Penn - which has made sustainability a priority in recent years - these evaluations provide a way to compare its progress to that of other schools.

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, a Scranton, Pa., native, is often referred to as "Pennsylvania's third senator" for his strong ties to the state. Last Friday morning, it was obvious why, as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee spoke confidently to nearly 200 invited guests at the Ironworkers Union in Northeast Philadelphia.

Total crime on and near campus for both the summer months and the year-to-date is lower than last year. Year-to-date crimes in the Penn patrol zone dropped from 616 reported incidents in 2007 to 579 in 2008, a 6-percent decrease. The summer crime rate showed an even greater drop with a 21-percent decrease in incidents between 2007 and 2008.

Because professors select the textbooks students must buy, they are caught in the center of a debate over book prices and industry practices. Experts say professors are increasingly concerned about what students shell out but must balance easing financial burdens with finding high-quality materials that complement their courses.

The PennCard software is getting its first makeover in six years, but its impact will be felt mainly be PennCard administrators, not card carriers. The new software will mainly help the PennCard office handle what Business Services spokeswoman Barbara Lea-Kruger called "idiosyncratic" situations that come up occasionally.

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.