Perhaps as early as tonight, but certainly within the next few days, we anticipate that our country will be at war. As we enter this precarious time period, I request your consideration of the following:

1.) Terrorism within the U.S. may increase, and we must be more vigilant about what is going on around us. Suspicious activities must be reported to the Department of Public Safety.

2.) The campus is a diverse academic community with individuals from different backgrounds and varied ideas. We must be tolerant of others with views different from our own.

3.) Ten UT Martin students and one staff member were activated during the past few months. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with these individuals and their fellow service men and women during this critical time.

Our Department of Public Safety is seeking to be more visible and will remain in contact with various federal law enforcement agencies and their intelligence resources.

We will keep the campus advised in the event of any increased level of threat that might be specific to colleges and universities in the U.S.

Dr. Nick Dunagan is the chancellor at UTM.