With war waging and an anti-American sentiment high, students still are traveling abroad to study.

Although the national threat level was elevated to high risk (level orange), no study abroad programs have been canceled or altered as of this time, said Anne Seitzinger, the assistant director of the Study Abroad Office who deals with the NIU-administered programs.

However, the office is keeping a close watch on world events. A crisis management team at the Study Abroad Office is assessing the situation.

NIU will not send students to any country for which the United States Department of State has issued a travel warning. The list of 26 countries with travel warnings includes ones on opposite sides of the globe, such as Indonesia.

The office also has plans to cancel programs or get students out if conditions worsen.

"We can never guarantee anyone's safety," Seitzinger said. "But, we are being very proactive in educating students, parents and faculty of possible risks."

Junior acting major Osiris Khepera traveled to Ireland in January of 2000 and plans to travel to Ghana this summer. He isn't worried about studying abroad.

"I feel fine about being an American overseas," he said. "I've had several people voice their concerns to me, but Ghana is not threatened to be in the war in Iraq."

Khepera is looking forward to seeing the international view of America and its actions.

A safety and security update released by the office reassured possible travelers.

"It is important to note that we do not have reason to believe that participants and faculty abroad through NIU are at any greater risk than they would be in the United States, or that this changed when military action started," the update stated.

This is not the first time the Study Abroad Office has operated programs during wartime.

During the first Gulf War, the office had to cancel a program in Egypt, but continued most programs.

The Study Abroad Office checks government and international Web sites frequently and also maintains a list of passport numbers and expiration dates for all participants.

Today marks the first day of Greek Week in which Greeks will participate in a variety of charitable and social activities each day dedicated to different issues and events.

Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Greeks will host a community blood drive, which will take place at Neptune Hall in the Southeast Meeting Room. Anyone who wishes to contribute is encouraged to attend.

The opening ceremony will open at 7 p.m. today with an awards presentation at the Holmes Student Center's Carl Sandburg Auditorium.

A new speaker, Curtis Zimmerman, will headline the event.

One of the biggest charity events this year, Relay for Life, will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at the Student Recreation Center.

The event is expected to go all night until about 6 a.m. Saturday.

Members of Sigma Kappa look forward to a night of walking until the sun comes up.

"Our girls are really pumped," said Natalie Anderson, vice president of recruitment of Collegiate Pan-Hellenic Council and Sigma Kappa member.

The relay will consist of an organized walk for cancer, in which walkers will group together in teams to walk and raise money for the event. Candles can be purchased for lost loved ones.

SAE president Paul Dobbelhoff anticipates the event will bring a great turnout.

"Everyone is really looking forward to it," Dobbelhoff said.

Members of Sigma Kappa actually are planning on putting on pajamas, taking turns napping and trying to walk through the whole night, Anderson said.

The entertainment-event, Showtime at the Apollo talent show, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday. Students who wish to attend will be admitted with one non-perishable item.

The whole week, each house will get graded on a point system for how well it does in each event.

"The winners basically get the bragging rights and the honor of doing well in Greek Week," Anderson said.

Greeks hope the events will further the image of service and community involvement the Greeks are striving to implement.

Anyone who wishes to attend the events or who has questions should call co-chair Crystal Hoppe at 753-5541 or Darnell Bradley at 753-1421.