By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor

We’re at code orange, the second highest security alert. As our troops, families, churches and entire nation prepare for war, ACU makes tentative plans as well.

Michelle Morris, assistant to the vice president of the university and alumni relations, said currently the university has no hard-and-fast plan for a scenario where the nation goes to war.

“Right now we just don’t know what’s to come,” Morris said. “We are calling people to pray across campus as individuals, for our men and women in uniform and all those serving our country.”

The flags at the main entrance to campus in front of the Chapel on the Hill will be flown at full or half-staff based on how flags are flying in Washington. Morris said the campus takes its cues from Washington, as it did during the weeks following Sept. 11.

An exception to that would be if an ACU student lost his life in service. The university has no system of keeping track of students who are called to active duty, and the military is reluctant to release those numbers. ACU is aware of a few students who have taken military leave.

Morris also said that a communication system through Campus Life e-mail and campus voice mail is in place to let students know any pertinent information, especially if the university receives alerts from the government that need to be passed on to students.

As the opening attacks on Iraq have begun, special activities will take place on campus, much like the prayer time in Wednesday’s Chapel and the March 24 forum to discuss the war.