The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation donated a five-year, $3.5-million research grant to the African-American Collaborative Obesity Research Network. AACORN, based at the School of Medicine, will use the money to conduct community-based research to reduce obesity among black children and adolescents.

A female student was sexually assaulted early yesterday morning inside an apartment on the 4000 block of Spruce Street, prompting the Division of Public Safety to issue an alert late last night. Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that police believe the assault was a stranger-rape, but that she could not provide any additional details.

When the University purchased 24 acres of postal lands on the eastern edge of campus and launched a $3.5-billion fundraising drive in October, Athletic Director Steve Bilsky saw the opportunity to finally revamp his department's facilities. "This is our best and maybe our last shot at getting this," he said. "Athletics has never been considered one of the priorities, but this time it is."

Alicia Puglionesi is a College junior from Haverton, Pa. Her e-mail address is puglionesi@dailypennsylvanian.com.

Ever wonder what an Ecuadorian Amazon witch doctor looks like? Or have you pondered the image of an elephant caravan winding its way through the jungles of Thailand? These days, Penn students don't have to look far for them - or travel beyond their computer.

An AlliedBarton security guard exposed himself to a female student after escorting her home last night, Division of Public Safety officials said today. The guard escorted the student from 38th and Sansom streets to her house on the 300 block of S. 41st St.

In with the new, out with the old? Well, maybe. Last Tuesday, Philadelphia voters approved two misguided amendments to the City Charter that would create public-advocate positions: one for handicapped and disabled people and one for the families of public-school children.

After a six-year absence from the NCAA College Cup, what was another half hour of waiting? Crammed into the men's basketball locker room at the Palestra, the Penn women's soccer team gathered in front of a television to find out its NCAA College Cup matchup and location on ESPNews' selection show at 8 p.m. last night.

As Mayor-elect Michael Nutter prepares to assume office in January, he hopes to change the way things operate in City Hall. Running a campaign against corruption and Philadelphia's rising murder rate, Nutter promises a break with the past and fresh new ideas to revitalize the city.

The rebuilding process has officially begun, and it sure isn't pretty. In fact, the first several weeks of this season could get very ugly, especially when the Tar Heels come to town. But I'm not ready to write the Quakers off just yet. Since the men's basketball team has enjoyed so much success over the past several years, the Penn faithful has almost started to take winning Ivy titles and getting to the NCAA tournament for granted.

Penn President Amy Gutmann raked in $777,692 in total compensation in 2005-06, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education's annual survey released yesterday. The total placed Gutmann second among Ivy League leaders, only trailing Yale University's Richard Levin, who earned $869,026.

How do you say Locust Walk in Taiwanese? Some of Penn's 3,484 international students may be able to tell you. Penn ranked No. 10 out of 20 schools for hosting the highest number of foreign students in the academic year 2006-2007, according to a report published yesterday by the Institute of International Education.

Drexel rarely wins at the Palestra. Coach Bruiser Flint is 3-11 at "College Basketball's Most Historic Gym" since taking over the Dragons in 2001. But he's not completely savoring the most recent victory, a 67-59 overtime victory over Penn on Friday. In fact, he wishes it had come at his own DaskalakisAthletic Center.

Despite three hung juries in the murder trial of Wharton student Irina Malinovskaya, experts say a fourth trial is still a distinct possibility. Lead prosecutor Paul Wallace declined to comment on the possibility of a fourth trial, but experts say the state could take the rare step of retrying Malinovskaya for a third time.

Daniel Schwartz is a College sophomore from Decatur, Ga. His e-mail address is schwartz@dailypennsylvanian.com.

His team down two points with 4.4 seconds left in regulation, Penn's Mike Kach stepped to the foul line for one critical shot. All eyes weren't on him. A few were on coach Glen Miller, who had ventured on to the court waving his arms and yelling "MISS IT!" Penn needed two points.

The judge in the murder case against Economics professor Rafael Robb is considering whether to hold a hearing about the admissibility of testimony from two mental-health experts.