Ball State University will remain open even if the terror threat is raised to its highest level, President Blaine Brownell said Thursday.
As the war with Iraq continues, government officials have warned the threat of terror could become severe. If it does, the federal government advises that public facilities, which include universities, close.
But Brownell said more than just the highest terror alert would be needed to close down Ball State.
"We would have to have a threat, or a clear possibility of threat (to close the university)," he said.
Brownell said he based this decision on a combination of factors. One factor is the lack of danger to Muncie.
"Even though we are in a globally connected world ... threats to our immediate safety in Muncie, Ind., is very, very little," Brownell said.
Brownell also expressed concern for student safety if campus were closed and students were to travel home. He said having students travel around the country during a severe terror threat could be a greater danger to their safety than having them stay put on campus.
But if terror threats would drive university officials to close Ball State, students could learn about the closing on a new university Web site.
The Homeland Security site provides the Ball State community with information about how the terror threat level might affect university operations and campus events or activities, according to the site.
"We need to make sure everyone in the community is aware that Ball State is aware (of a possible threat), and that we are prepared," Brownell said. "We wanted to make sure there was a very easy way for people to access that information."
Some faculty and students said they agreed with Brownell's assessment of the terror threat.
If the university were to shut down because of a threat of terror without any clear evidence that Ball State is in danger, the terrorists have won, Marilyn Buck said. Buck is the chairwoman of University Senate and a professor of physical education.
"If there's not an imminent danger, and we don't feel that there's an imminent danger, we need to go about business as usual," she said.
Other faculty members did not return phone calls Thursday.
Students have also said they think the university should remain open during a severe alert.
"I don't think Ball State is a target for terrorists," junior Jeremy Kinney said. "I feel safe here."
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