'No Place Like Penn' for a party

There is no place like Penn. Student leaders and assorted University offices want students to prepare to find out why. Next Thursday marks the opening of the second annual "There is No Place Like Penn Weekend," a festival that combines a variety of different free social events ranging from a concert to a post-football game feast. The weekend kicks off with a "Double Feature Under the Stars" Thursday night at 8 p.m. on College Green. Austin Powers and From Russia With Love will be showing at the event, which is sponsored by the Social Planning and Events Committee's Film Society and the Penn Student Agencies. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday night, the alternative rock band Fathead will perform in Superblock during a show sponsored by SPEC's concert division. Prior to the Penn vs. Richmond football game Saturday, the Department of Recreation will sponsor a Bed Race in Superblock. But unlike last year's BYOB -- Bring Your Own Bed -- event, Penn will be supplying the beds. "We are supplying the beds this year so we encourage faculty, staff and students to register in groups of five for the free race," said Recreation assistant Paula King. The Residential Advisory Board will sponsor a pre-game brunch and Munch at noon before the game. Following the 1:30 p.m. game, there will be a post-game Grill and Chill at 4:30 on College Green sponsored by the University Alumni Society. In addition to these campus-wide events, the class boards will sponsor individual class excursions Sunday. Freshmen will see Rent at the Merriam Theater at 2 p.m., while sophomores will journey to the King of Prussia mall at 1 p.m. Juniors will take a jaunt to New York City at 9 a.m., and seniors will see Rent at 8 p.m. at the Merriam Theater, with a screamer to follow. The program began two years ago when Kim Allen, former director of activities for the Office of Student Life, organized the weekend to welcome students back to school at the beginning of each year, according to OSL Director Fran Walker. Allen, OSL Associate Director Rodney Robinson and the student-organized Tangible Change Committee brought student groups together to sponsor the social events. Wharton senior Graham Rigby, chairperson of SPEC's Social Events Committee, also helped organize the weekend. Samara Barend, chairperson of the Tangible Change Committee, said she hopes to "build up the hype" for the weekend. "We started planning for the event this summer and the beauty is that so many groups participate," the College senior said. In addition to student group sponsorship, the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life supplies funds for the weekend. "Last year was a big success, this year should be even better due to the organization and planning efforts of Kim Allen and the coordination of the student groups," Walker said. "New students have orientation to come back to, but this is intended to welcome back the entirety of the University."

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