In the past few weeks, I have received numerous phone calls and have had several conversations with students from around the state regarding the issue of the Terror Alert System.
A major concern is that if the country moves into a level red alert, universities would be closed for security reasons. Earlier this month, the United States Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying that it is recommended that if the nation's security level is increased to red, the most severe threat, that public and government facilities be closed. This includes all universities, colleges, and K-12 schools.
As the Student Commissioner on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, I feel that, while it may be appropriate to close K-12 schools during this level of alert, institutions of Higher Education should not be closed.
Only in the event that there is an executive order from the White House, Department of Homeland Security, the Governor's Office, the General Assembly, and/or the Indiana Counter-Terrorism and Security Council, should universities and colleges be closed.
If Ball State closed, there would be an even greater risk of security with the travel of 18,000 plus students leaving Muncie to go home. Not to mention the out-of-state students, international students, and students across the state at the other institutions.
I support President Blaine Brownell as well as all other university presidents in their decisions concerning this issue regardless of the final decision. However, the students I have talked with agree that the closing of universities would bring great detriment to them as well as the institutions.
If worse comes to worst, the universities are closed and students sent home, thousands of students would be on the roads or on airplanes to go home -- an incredible security risk. If the universities are closed and students are mandated to stay on campuses, this will result in a widespread panic as well as possible riots.
Several other factors are also attributed to the previous two decisions. How long will schools remain closed? How will this effect graduation, and/or the current semester? How will a closure affect the local economies those institutions are a part of since the universities are the largest constituent bases for those cities?
It is in the best interests of all students and institutions for universities to remain open in order to promote education.
Through this difficult time, all students, faculty, and staff should remain calm, not panic, and go about their daily lives as normal.
This is very important and crucial in order for the normal operations of the university to function. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact me at anytime.
Write to Chris at cjborkowski@bsu.edu
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