The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences earned national recognition last week when a national index ranked four departments within the school among the top ten Engineering programs. Academic Analytics, a company that sells research on faculty productivity, released these rankings in its third annual Faculty Scholarly Productivity index.

EASTON, Pa., Nov. 28 - How quickly a lead can come and go in college basketball. After a hard-fought first half that saw the Quakers head into the locker room down five, they came out strong after the break. Penn clawed back and took a one-point advantage with 12:09 to go.

The calendar may read November, but the Penn wrestling team might think it's March when it sends its varsity squad to the Las Vegas Invitational, held tomorrow and Saturday. This 48-team national tournament includes No. 7 Missouri, No. 9 Wisconsin, No. 10 Michigan, No.

If you build it, they will come - at least, that's part of the rationale behind SEPTA's massive reconstruction of the Market-Frankford El. Improved public transit means more people can access nearby businesses, stimulating the local economy. That's the long-term goal.

Pay a little more for a bottle of water, help a thirsty child in the third world. Sounds great, right? The founder of Ethos Water was on campus two weeks ago to describe how this business model is going to save the planet. As far as bottled water goes, Ethos is all right - I mean, if I'm going to allow someone to commodify something essential to my survival, the profits might as well build a well in Bangladesh rather than a pool in an executive's backyard.

Amira Fawcett is an Engineering junior from Houston. Her e-mail address is fawcett@dailypennsylvanian.com.

Several Harnwell College House residents returning to school from Thanksgiving break discovered that their rooms had been burglarized, police officials said yesterday.

Penn senior Diexia Wang was arrested at Mayer Hall last week after he allegedly stalked female residents of the dorm and stole their property, including their undergarments.

Penn's newest journalists are working right in the classroom - and they are writing in French. Students in French lecturer Lisa Britton's French 140 often assume the role of journalists who travel the French-speaking world and report back to their fellow students.

Some think he is a missing person or the victim of a violent crime. Others suggest he's an American Apparel model or an undergrad running for student government. But the anonymous male whose photo currently hangs above Fisher-Bennett Hall is actually a Penn student who has become the latest subject of conceptual artist Braco Dimitrijevic's "Casual Passer-By" series.

Go ahead, pick a sword-fight with Penn's fencing team. They dare you. All jokes aside, this season should be another strong one for the men's and women's teams. Coach Dave Micahnik has never had a losing season in his 33 years coaching both teams, and his 34th season shouldn't be any different.

Thanksgiving is family time - maybe that's why it's a brief holiday. I like my family, but since we're divided by the Atlantic, I'm stuck with a surrogate family for most of the year - the Penn family. No, I haven't been hired by the administration to whip you into a frenzy of love for your peers.

Theft Nov. 24 - Russell Thomas, 56, of the 1400 block of N. 30th Street, was arrested by Penn Police after they observed him allegedly attempting to take a bicycle from the 4100 block of Pine Street at about 2:35 a.m. Nov. 24 - Shakel Muhammad, 22, of the 2600 block of Dagget Street, was arrested by Penn Police after allegedly leaving Gap, located at 3420 Walnut St.

Job-seeking seniors, breathe a little easier. Firms are looking to hire more bachelor's-degree graduates for jobs beginning next year. According to Recruiting Trends 2007-2008, a report released by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University, employers are expected to increase the number of jobs by seven percent.

Economics professor Rafael Robb resigned from the University yesterday, a day after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Ellen.

Even when Ron Berkowsky screws up, he wins. The senior fencer still remembers - with a twinge of embarrassment - a miscue during a 2005 championship match. His hand (with a foil in it) collided with his opponent's head. The opponent stopped, took off his mask and started spitting blood.

Two females unaffiliated with the University were robbed on the north side of campus over the last two weeks, Philadelphia Police officials said. On Nov. 25, a 51-year old female was robbed while walking along the 4000 block of Ludlow Street, located between Market and Chestnut streets, at about 9:10 p.