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.

NIU third baseman Rob Marconi took the good with the bad this weekend as the Huskies took three out of four from Toledo.

On Saturday, Marconi began by hitting two home runs, one in each game and combining for four hits, three RBI's and four runs scored in the two games.

"Well, we knew coming in that Marconi had been swinging a pretty hot bat," Toledo coach Joe Kruzel said. "He's a very good hitter, a very good third baseman and he's a gifted player."

Marconi also did it in the field as he made a diving catch and threw back to first for a double play in the seventh inning of Game 2. NIU had a 4-0 lead at that point and the play helped pitcher Zach Minor finish his day unscathed.

"That was something I needed to do because the play before I made an error," Marconi said. "I needed to help out my pitcher and he gave me another chance to make the play."

Even though Saturday was good to the Huskies and Marconi, Sunday wasn't quite as pleasing.

Marconi combined to go 1-for-8 with five strikeouts as the Huskies split Sunday's twin bill.

Marconi said he takes pride in being a consistent player. But in baseball, an off day will happen.

The Student Association and Collegiate Services Inc. are offering NIU students a chance to save money by using the Student Savings Club Card.

This card will allow students to receive a discount at many local retailers in the DeKalb/ Sycamore area. According to the SA, if the cards are used frequently, the discounts can add up to a lot of money during the the course of a school year.

There are several restaurants listed on the card, such as Shelly's, McDonald's, Molly's Eatery and Drinkery and Pita Pete's. Auto services also are included on the card. Students can go to shops like Sycamore Mitsubishi, Lube Pro's and Tires Plus and receive a substantial discount on their automotive needs. Other services that offer discounts with the card are various hair salons, entertainment venues and retailers.

Kevin O'Kelly, SA chief of staff, said this service is good for students living off-campus.

"This service is great for off- campus students who don't have access to meal plans," O'Kelly said.

Kimberly Judson, assistant professor of the marketing department, said this sales promotion would not persuade students to spend more than they need to.

"I feel that NIU students possess good critical thinking skills and most likely make smart consumer decisions," Judson said.

Judson also said the collegiate services card appears to be a good sales promotion technique for area businesses seeking to create awareness and attract students as customers.

Despite the fact that the card offers several discounts, students have neglected the card, according to area retailers.

"I haven't seen any increase in sales since the card's release," said Pete Lutz, manager of Pita Pete's, 901 Lucinda Ave.

The card is not only available to students, but to faculty and staff members as well. O'Kelly also said this service is free for students. The cards are available at the front desks of the residence halls, the SA office and the University Programming and Activities office in the Campus Life Building. O'Kelly said eventually the cards will be available in academic buildings, such as DuSable and Barsema halls. O'Kelly also said that inevitably, more merchants will be added to the roster because student will opt not to go with them if they are not listed.

For information about the card, call the SA office at 753-0482.

An undefeated MAC season was not meant to be for the NIU softball team.

After taking the first game, 3-0, of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Mary Bell Field, the Huskies (14-10, 4-1 MAC) fell 4-0 to Western Michigan (14-12, 4-2 MAC) in the second game.

"We're having a problem with keeping pressure on our opponents," NIU coach Donna Martin said.

NIU entered Sunday's contest with the only undefeated record in the MAC at 4-0.

NIU got a solid pitching performance from Amy Krahula, who didn't allow a hit after the third inning. The Huskies got off to another quick start by posting three runs in the bottom of the first.

Reigning MAC West Division Player of the Week Paige Shemoski drove in Lisa Mattke on her fourth double of the year, and one of nine hits in the game for NIU, to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

Extending NIU's lead to three, first baseman Toni Del Toro, who's leading the MAC in fielding percentage and put-outs, showed off her offensive prowess by smacking a two-run double to bring in Shemoski and Shelby Bernard.

Krahula and the Huskies' defense combined for 12-straight outs at one point on their way to earning their first shutout of the season.

In the second game, NIU's sophomore pitcher Kathy Dearborn struggled, giving up nine hits and two home runs that proved to be enough for WMU to win.

"She needs to keep working through it," Martin said. "Her change-up needs to be more consistent, which will help slow their bats down."

WMU's Gina Dobbs hit the first home run to right-center, which brought in Dayna Crawford and broke a branch off the tree sitting outside the fence. Jaymie Voss hit WMU's second homer off the scoreboard in left-center, bringing in Mary McCloskey.

Laurie Stewart pitched the Broncos to victory the rest of the way, giving up three hits over seven innings and finishing off NIU with a one, two, three seventh inning.

"We need to sustain our concentration," Martin said. "We gave them too much confidence and let them think they could play with us."