CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Officials at Central Piedmont Community College said all six campuses will be closed during the Democratic National Convention, affecting about 32,000 students and faculty. The school will also serve as a staging ground for police.
"Given there will be increased traffic, particularly in downtown, we thought it would be good to take students and faculty out of the mix," CPCC spokesman Jeff Lowrance said.
School officials decided to move up the fall break by several weeks to also give students a chance to witness history.
"I'm happy that they respect the fact some people might want to attend that, and as students I think it is important for us to go to things like that," student Ahmaric Bowens said.
The college's central campus will also be pivotal in keeping the convention safe.
"We have been contacted by local law enforcement about their interest to use our central campus near downtown as a security hub or staging area," Lowrance said.
Additionally, the school plans on closing several surrounding streets during the convention, which will be used by high-ranking officials.