Save Fairmount Park
This is more of an initiative than an event, but I hope that you'll bear with the brief change in format for a worthy cause.

The condition of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park is - how to put it nicely? - a bit 'wanting'. Despite being the largest city park in the country, our lovely emerald heaths are suffering from neglect.

Enter Mayor Nutter to the rescue. Philly's nerd-crusader has proposed a $2.5 million funding increase to get the ball rolling on the myriad repairs needed. If you're for this effort, you can send a petition to your council(wo)man. If you think this is a bad idea, let them know that as well. Just speak up, dear students. If not for you, for the picnickers.

K-12 International Education: A Forum for Teachers and Teacher Educators
Saturday, May 10, 2008, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Bodek Hall, Houston Hall
Think back to your elementary school education - most likely full of cursive drills, reports on Nevada, and letter people. But what about the wider world? Conspicuously absent.

Thankfully, that's changing. The Center for Collaborative Research and Practice in Teacher Education at the Graduate School of Education and the National Resources Centers -- the South Asia Center, African Studies Center, Middle East Center and the Center for East Asia Studies -- are cohosting a discussion on the increasing demand for an internationalized K-12 curriculum, complete with lunch and post-event wine and cheese reception. Super important event at the forefront of the movement, even if you're a bit sad to see the old school memorization model hit the dust. Be sure to register here .

Phillies Student Discount
Thursday, May 15, 2008, 7:05 PM - 11:00 PM
Citizen's Banks Park
Thank Thor that someone appreciates the financial limitations of academics. The hometown club has graciously knocked three buckaroos off the price of most tickets for all card-carrying students.

This might not seem like much of a discount to most, but for the learning class, even a measly $3 can be a dealbreaker. Think of it this way: the ticket price now includes round-trip transportation via SEPTA (only if paid for with tokens; cash rides are $2 each). Finally, thriftiness can be reconciled with athletic idolotry. Go Phils!

XPLR-Club Meeting
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Steps of PMA, Time TBA
Here's a scenario: let's say Sunday rolls around and, lo and behold, you've actually got a few free hours on your hands. How do you best spend this rare leisure time? Do you channel that inner creativity, eroded over a grueling term, in the medium of your choosing? Do you get out and traverse the fair city that you've neglected for so long? Or do you get on the old Kreb-blaster 2000 for some much-needed exercise?

Now you needn't choose. The XPLR club is a Philly-based group - formed by a fellow Penn grad student - that combines cycling and photography (not simultaneously). Members check the website to learn when to meet up at the PMA stairs for their next assignment. They then bike all over the city and have to get shots of all different parts of the city, shots which are then posted on their flickr site and even displayed in local establishments of note. Such a cool concept. Join their listserv and meet them up, why don't you? Fun crowd.

9th Street Italian Market Festival
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9th Street, South of Catharine
Whether you're into crafts and crafting, sausages, or the music stylings of Shackamaxon, the 9th Street Italian Market Festival (9SIMF, for short) is a seriously good time. Sorrento Cheese, the sponsor, will be giving out free samples like mad, as will the others at the South Philly block party. Sadly, the traditional 'climb the greased flagpole' competition has been discontinued, but it will be a blast anyway. I trained so hard....

Dad Vail Regatta
Friday, May 9, 2008, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fairmount Park - between Boathouse Row and Twin Bridges (Friday and Saturday)
Just because you still can't pronounce 'Schuylkill' doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it. This weekend, crew teams the country over will arrive to strut their rowing stuff on Philly's best river for the 70th annual Dad Vail Regatta . Pop on out to Fairmount Park for a little pic-a-nic on the bucolic lawns. Nothing like aqueous exercise to start the weekend off right.

Academic Support

Penn Library
Want to acquire research skills and technological credentials? Learn about everything you ever needed to know - from how to find a patent to how to make a Powerpoint presentation! For more information or to register for these and other workshops, click here.

The Weigle Information Commons provides group meeting rooms, booths, workshops on technology and learning and a state-of-the-art digital media lab where graduate students can explore new technologies for collaborative learning.

Communications Within the Curriculum
Are you nervous about public speaking? CWIC provides a variety of workshops geared to helping students in the many different methods of communication and presentation. Click here to get started. (top of page)

Weingarten Learning Resources Center
Get help with your study skills, academic speaking, and time management! Find upcoming workshops for international students and graduate students here.

Arts and Enrichment

The Rotunda
Need a place to experience great art while staying close to campus? Click here often to find out about fantastic events like poetry slams, concerts, and mural arts exhibitions.

World Cafe Live
Want a place to check out hip indie music? Or a cool place to dine? Check out World Cafe Live here. (top of page)

Penn Museum
Need to get your fill of King Tut? Or to find a wonderful volunteer opportunity? Check out the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and get in FREE with your Penncard. Click here for more information!

The Blutt College House Music Program: Music From the Houses
Want to hear a mean jazz guitar? Or the Philadelphia Orchestra? For the latest schedule of recitals and masters classes, click here.

Kelly Writers House
Experiment, Express Yourself, Enjoy. Go to an experimental fiction writing celebration, see avant garde jazz, and find other such intellectual and artistic programs at the Kelly Writers House. Check out this month's great events here.

Arts at Penn
Check out the Arts at Penn website to find what’s happening in arts and culture at Penn today and throughout the semester.

International Programs
Click here to find information about great upcoming educational and social events.

Penn Humanities Forum
Click here to tap into lecture series offerings and art exhibitions within the theme of 'origins.'

Be Healthy and Safe!

Office of Public Safety
Check out their upcoming FREE rape defense class for women, held at 4040 Chestnut Street. E-mail slivingston@publicsafety.upenn.edu for more information and to register.

Office of Health Education
Covering topics from smoking secession to fitness, the Office of Health Education is there for your healthy living needs. Click here for a calendar for a list of great events like History of Pilates and Spinning 101.

Department of Recreation
From golf lessons to credentialed personal training courses, the Department of Recreation provides all the programs you need to stay fit and healthy. Click here for more information about group fitness programs! (top of page)

First Step Program
Click here for more information on setting up an individualized and confidential consultation on drug and alcohol use.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Click here for information on getting a referral for graduate student-only support groups, individual counseling, and other workshops!

Participate at Penn and in Philly

Participate in Volunteer Opportunities
Here are three great ways to find volunteer opportunities:

1) Mentor a Penn undergrad through the Graduate/Undergraduate Mentoring Program. Click here.

2) Participate in community service activities through Penn Civic House. Click here.

Sign up for the Graduate Student Center Listserv
Check out the web site and join the listserv to receive weekly updates about orientation and year-round programs.

Read the Daily Pennsylvanian
Take time to read the Daily Pennsylvanian, the independent daily student newspaper, online or in print.

Join On-Campus Student Organizations
Check out all of Penn's graduate student groups by clicking here!

CampusPhilly
Want to get a bird's eye view of what's going on in and around Philadelphia? Click here to find out about upcoming events, housing and job opportunities for Philadelphia-area students. (top of page)

Get Involved in GAPSA, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Check out all of Penn's graduate student groups by clicking here!

Prepare for Life After Graduation

Career Services
Career Services offers workshops designed to help graduate students plan for careers after graduation. Attend a workshop, connect with alumni on the Penn Career Network, and learn how to write an effective Resume/CV to reach your goals! Of special interest is their series 'Faculty Conversations on the Academic Job Search' for doctoral students. Click here for more information. (top of page)

Spiritual Life

Chaplain's Webpage of Religious Organizations Across Penn and Philly
Click here for the Chaplain's comprehensive list of religious and spiritual opportunities on and near campus. (top of page)