Integration woes in grad schools

The number of minority graduate students is up - but the social and academic support for those students isn't keeping pace. Minorities, women and international students made up most of the two-percent growth in graduate students this past year, according to a recent report issued by the Council of Graduate Schools.

I can read your mind...

One Psychology class has students peering deep into their minds. No, it's not divination. It's Psychology assistant professor Amishi Jha's study about how the brain perceives reality. It's not your average science class, though. Instead of reading about psychological studies in textbooks, students design experiments on their own and head to the functional magnetic resonance imaging lab to conduct them.

With technology, parlez-vous Francais?

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.

Shuttle set for late night rides

The shuttle to Center City is back, but only for night owls. Recent safety concerns have prompted the University to create a new trial shuttle service that will provide door-service transportation as east as Broad Street. Despite the University's decision to shelve the Octobus shuttle service last week, officials believe that a late-night shuttle service to Center City is an important component of a comprehensive safety plan.

Grad student shuttle discontinued after Oct. trial

It's the end of the line for the Octobus. The University believes that ridership on last month's Octobus trial was too low to merit a permanent service, despite optimism from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly. The 13-seat evening-shuttle service, which ran every 30 to 45 minutes between campus and Center City, attracted up to 80 riders an evening.

For graduate students, living on-campus is 'so freshman year'

The Graduate and Professional Students Assembly has been working with the University over the past two years to create more on-campus housing for graduate students, but there may not be a point. With a nominal stipend and a more established group of friends, many graduate students say living on campus is simply not worth the convenience of being closer to classes.

New Apple update leads to wireless trouble

Apple's Mac OS X Leopard operating system is the newest toy for early technology adopters, but users will have to do some extra tinkering in order to use it on Penn's wireless network. While Leopard, officially released on Oct. 26, lacks the "must-have" cachet of some Apple products like the iPhone, certain tech-savvy students have been quick to upgrade.

Student gov't leaders bridge age gap to collaborate

Two heads are better than one. The UA and GAPSA have worked together on several projects this semester, a stark change for two organizations that previously attacked student problems with separate agendas. UA chairman Jason Karsh and GAPSA chairman Dan Grabell have been the main force behind the newfound collaboration.

Grad gov't largely ignored by student body

Even with their recent initiatives to improve student life for students in all 12 graduate schools, GAPSA officials admit that it is a challenge to appeal to and affect such a large group.

The wheels on the bus go to Center City and back

A new bus shuttle service is bringing Center City a little closer to Penn - and many graduate students a little closer to home. With promised funding from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, Penn Transit began operating a trial shuttle Monday evening.

University Finances: Larger fund unlikely to stop alumni donations

Despite the University's endowment hitting $6.6 billion, many alumni say that a wealthier Penn doesn't affect their overall inclination to donate to their alma mater.

Graduate student gov't preps for semester

The recently restructured graduate student government is raring to get its constituents more connected to Penn. The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly has emerged from a major organizational makeover and is now eager to promote interdisciplinary cooperation among all 10 graduate schools represented by GAPSA and to spearhead new campus initiatives.

Int.'l students increase in U.S.

America may be ready again to open its gates to huddled masses yearning to learn. According to a report published in late August by the Washington D.C.-based Council of Graduate Students, offers of admission to international applicants by U.S. graduate programs is up by 8 percent over last year.

Grad students head to Miss.

Two years after Hurricane Katrina, members of the Penn community are responding to residual issues plaguing the New Orleans and Mississippi communities. Connie Hoe and Namhee Yun, two recent graduates of Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice, and first-year SP2 graduate student Crystal Lucas spent last July in Pearlington - a small town located on the western border of Mississippi - addressing the mental-health needs of local residents.

IMF exec highlights global economy's risks

As a leader of one of the world's most influential financial institutions, Rodrigo de Rato's advice has far-reaching consequences. The managing director and chairman of the International Monetary Fund spoke at Huntsman Hall Friday, emphasizing the need for leadership to adapt to the new nature of risks in the world economy.

Prince of Wales visits International House

For some Penn students, the crowning moment of Prince Charles's visit to Philadelphia this weekend was a on e-hour visit to the International House just a block from campus. Taking an opportunity to interact with local students during their tour of Philadelphia, Charles and his wife - Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall - stopped by the International House Saturday afternoon to attend a student roundtable discussion focused on urban regeneration.