34th Street Magazine's "Toast" is a semi-weekly newsletter with the latest on Penn's campus culture and arts scene. Delivered Monday-Wednesday-Friday.
Free.
Like many urban universities, Penn often has a contentious relationship with its neighbors, a natural clash born out of differing viewpoints, goals and interests. But the University should have put more effort into dialogue with the community in its recent conversations with West Philadelphia residents concerning the proposed extended-stay hotel on the corner of 40th and Pine streets.
The day I received my acceptance letter to Penn, my dad shook my hand, clapped me on the back and offered me $80,000 to turn it down. He reminded me that I already had a free ride waiting at the University of Georgia, and that, even with ample financial aid, four years at Penn would still cost the better part of 100 grand.
While many Penn students jetted off to tropical locations last week, I forwent the daiquiris and drug cartels of Cancun in favor of budget-friendly Buffalo, where I could enjoy home-cooked meals and free laundry. If it were any other year, I would not be admitting to such a lame spring break - and I certainly would not be writing it for all of Penn to read.
Spring is in the air, finally. Lovey-dovey couples will soon stroll hand-in-hand along the daffodil-lined Locust Walk giggling in their happiness. Cue the music, if you please.
But appearances can be deceiving. As anyone with an Internet connection knows, even the most seemingly happy relationships can have a dark side.
I admit it: The predominant reason I stayed on campus this spring break was that I'm cheap. I couldn't deal with the $300 plane fares and couldn't handle wasting two days dealing with the delays that characterize our airport system. It's a personal preference.
Over spring break, the University lost one of its closest friends when philanthropist Leonore "Lee" Annenberg died at her California home at the age of 91.
Annenberg, as many now know, had a long and storied connection to Penn and Philadelphia. Annenberg was noted for her interested in arts, culture and education, and she served on the boards of many like-minded Philadelphia area institutions, including Penn, where she was an emeritus trustee and held an honorary degree.
Grad students speak up about NYU To the Editor: On Feb. 18, a group of students occupied the Kimmel Center at NYU, listing a series of demands and asking the university to negotiate with them (see www.takebacknyu.org). Early reports that excessive force may have been used during the 'resolution' of this situation raise questions for the Penn administration about the relationship between the University and state-level apparatuses based on the use of force.
Diehard DP fans, come on down for a DP Columnist Quiz! (sort of) Your ideal spring break activity come true, I know. We as DP columnists simply scratch the surface, so this goes a little beyond in keeping you informed. I will attempt to prove that we actually cover a broad spectrum of issues - even though you might say we only write about course requirements and Facebook - and that we use facts to contextualize our arguments.
While some are packing bikinis, tanning lotion and flip-flops, my spring-break destination only requires snow boots, long johns and my trusty earmuffs. It certainly isn't Mexico, but the plane ticket was much cheaper, and I won't have to worry about falling asleep on the beach (again).
On Wednesday morning, the entire editorial staff of the Daily Emerald-the student-produced newspaper at the University of Oregon-went on strike in protest of the attempts of its board of directors to install a publisher with unprecedented control over the newsroom.
Remember The Odd Couple? If you're like me, then probably not. It was a 1965 Neil Simon play (later a movie, then a TV show) about a neurotic neat freak who moved in with a shameless slob. Hilarity ensued. Every year, many freshmen unwillingly enact their own little "Odd Couple" revival, only it's not so funny for them.
As a result of a last-minute amendment to the stimulus bill, some Penn students may find themselves out of a job come this summer. The amendment, which will affect any bank or company receiving money from the Troubled Assets Relief Program, places stricter limits on employers' ability to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas.
Can a crusade consist primarily of gentle suggestions? Something along the lines of, "Hey all you heretics, how about maybe converting? Just think about it, OK? Please?" As an English major, I care a lot about usage and about not getting tangled in bad analogies.