A deafening silence fell across the crowd of nearly 100 students last night as they gathered around the HUB-Robeson television to watch President Bush's statement about whether their country would go to war.

"I was impressed with the president's willingness to take initiative," said Andrew Kittle (senior-mechanical engineering). "Not many people give him credit for what he has to deal with."

Other students were left frustrated and confused by the president's message.

"It [the speech] was too short and vague," said Kimberly Pabst (senior-secondary education). "I don't feel like he really addressed the issues at heart."

Pabst said she was frustrated Bush did not make a definitive statement about the actions the country would take in attacking Iraq.

Her underlying sense of frustration is not something that started this evening, she added.

"There's 75 people from my hometown that are over there fighting," she said. "It's something that's been on my mind for a while."

Like dozens of other students, Pabst interrupted her studies to watch the long-anticipated announcement.

"The speech was really reassuring to me because I have family in the Marines in Kuwait right now," said Jason Vigorito (senior-English and international politics), who stopped by the television while passing through the HUB lobby.

He said he was impressed that the president took action immediately.

"It was good we gave diplomacy a chance, but now it looks like war is our only option," he added.

Other members of the State College community expressed their concerns about possible consequences of the war.

"It behooves us all to be alert for possible counterattacks," Mayor Bill Welch said.

Welch said he wanted people to be aware that criticizing the president's foreign policy does not make a person unpatriotic.

Debate is part of a democracy and he admires people who voice their concern, he said.

Nearly 150 students gathered around the television at 8 p.m., expecting a definitive announcement with the expiration of the president's 48-hour ultimatum. But an hour later, the crowd dissipated and the lobby looked no different than any other weekday evening.

"I did expect him originally to make an announcement right then," said Nate Green (senior-history).

As he waited for Bush's address, Green said he wondered if the president's choice to prolong an official announcement was part of his war-strategy.

"Maybe he just wants everyone to calm down first to make the attack more effective," Green added.

Whether students are for or against the war, everyone has an obligation to stay informed about the situation, no matter how long the controversy drags out, said Ian Rosenberger (junior-special education).

"When a loss of life is imminent, we have a responsibility as people to empathize," he said. "It's a soul thing."