Faculty members and students assembled at an informal forum Oct. 29 to discuss opinions and ideas on the possible American pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

The meeting, held at Shorty's, drew nearly 30 faculty members and over 70 students.

The forum, which lasted over two-and-a-half hours, served as a place where students, staff and faculty could voice their opinions and ask questions of each other on topics ranging from economic sanctions to United Nations weapons inspections.

Freshman Christine Moxley said she heard about the discussion from her English professor. She said there wasn't enough dialogue on campus about the problems concerning Iraq, which prompted her to attend.

"It was mostly a lot of liberals who were opposed to war," Moxley said. "People voiced their opinions and asked questions about what's going on. One girl handed out bumper stickers opposing Bush's foreign policy."

Senior Lee Newitt decided to go to the meeting after speaking with a friend who attended the protests in Washington, D.C.

"I feel the situation is of utmost importance and demands our attention," Newitt said. "No matter how you feel or with whom you side, the U.S. government is considering attacking another country in our name. We as Wake students have been blessed with the gift of higher education and with that gift comes responsibility. As young intellectuals we must act to foster intelligent discourse and increase awareness. Apathy is unacceptable."

William Fleeson, an associate professor of psychology, and Angela Hattery, an assistant professor of sociology, both helped to organize the event.

Hattery said the idea for the discussion stemmed from her own debates with other faculty members.

"I walked around campus a few days after Bush's televised speech to the nation about the impending war, and realized there's not a single sign, there's not a rally, protest, there's not a candlelight vigil," Hatter said. "I thought this is a college campus. Shouldn't we be engaged in dialogue about this, pro and con? I was discouraged not seeing any of it happening."

Fleeson said after some communication by e-mail, a handful of professors told their students and fellow faculty members about the forum. He said he was surprised by the turnout."I was very excited, shocked," said Fleeson. "We had no flyers, no advertising, only word of mouth."

Fleeson said two forums will more than likely stem from the discussion: an information session showing angles for and against war, as well as a student-based, anti-war movement that may include faculty as well.

Newitt said he and a friend were already planning an anti-war coalition.

"There are plans to coordinate with a similar coalition in Greensboro. Our first step will be the creation of a web site and the compiling of appropriate literature to demonstrate our cause," Newitt said. "Most (people at the discussion) seemed in favor of an educational, awareness approach to whatever is to come, however É we believe immediate action is imperative and outweighs the benefits of education. We do not want to find ourselves discussing the issues when the nation suddenly goes to war."

Hattery said she was impressed by the range of students who attended.

"One thing that was striking is how many people I didn't know, not among the faculty, but how many students I didn't know," Hattery said. "It was really broad. That just blew me away. It was everything I thought it would be. Way beyond my expectations."