As the incoming freshmen anxiously await their housing assignments, us upperclassmen are feeling a bit nostalgic. We’ve reported on the Penn YouTube channel before, but we came across this video just recently. Maybe we’re huge nerds at UTB, but this clip gives us goosebumps (well, up until the five minute mark, when it becomes a fundraising plea). The shots of the Quad! And College Hall! And all the smart people! And the music! You’re killing us, Amy.

We’re less than 24 hours away from Relay for Life, the all-night festival of performances, contests, and junk food that happens to be one of Penn’s biggest fundraisers of the year.  As the event draws near, competition among the top fundraising groups is heating up.  Current top teams include MARCH for a cure, Circle K and Penn MERT and friends. Competition is even stiffer among individual participants, the top three of whom have already raised over $3,500 apiece.  Since we happen to be chilling on a couch watching Grey’s Anatomy with Emily Siegel, the current first place fundraiser (for the time being, at least), we decided to get the scoop on all things Relay, from how to raise thousands to whether anyone actually gets any sleep during the event. (This year, Emily is serving as team leader for Penn MERT and friends.)

UTB: You were last year’s #1 fundraiser and you’re currently in first place again.  Are you proud of being #1?

ES: I am. To be honest, but it’s not about numbers.  This is my two cents.  It’s hard to watch a disease take over people you love, and this is a way that I could fight back along with them.  Three years ago when I started, I didn’t know whether I was going to be walking in honor of my family member or in memory of him.  I’m unbelievably lucky that he’s going to be at the event with me this year, celebrating.  He’s been there every year, actually. Read the rest of this entry »

A friendly tipster e-mailed us the other day with a note about the male restrooms in Rosengarten.  Most Street editors are female, so it was news to us that Penn’s fundraising efforts even extend to sponsoring individual urinals.  Yep, some of the urinals have plaques above them–one reads “The relief you are now experiencing is made possible by a gift from Michael Zinman.”

Another picture, and some speculation, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »