President Barack Obama will visit UNC-Chapel Hill Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 2) to campaign for presidential candidate Secretary Hillary Clinton. The event is hosted by the UNC-Chapel Hill Young Democrats to rally student support. The President will speak outside on the Michael Hooker Fields, located between Carmichael Arena and the School of Government off South Road.
The event is free and open to the public. Those planning to attend can register online for tickets by visiting http://hrc.io/2e4I7yc, or pick up a ticket between and noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 – if available – at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E. Franklin St. There is a limit of two tickets per person. Attendees may pick up a ticket for themselves and one guest, but will need to provide the guest’s contact information (name, address and phone number) Tickets/online RSVPs do not guarantee admission. Guests should arrive early and plan for long security lines. Parking is not available in the Morehead lot for guests picking up tickets.
The line to enter will form at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the corner of South Road by Carmichael Arena, and go along the sidewalk on South Road toward the Bell Tower. No overnight camping will be allowed. The event entrance to Hooker Fields will open at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday All attendees will go through airport-like security and should bring as few personal items as possible. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids, water bottles, or signs will be allowed in the venue. Small cameras are permitted. Water will be provided at the venue.
Organizers emphasize the event is outside and standing room only. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Limited seating will be available for guests with disabilities. The University will post more updates on http://unc.edu about the President’s visit if more information becomes available.
UPDATED Traffic and Parking Information
Security for a presidential visit will cause disruptions to traffic and parking in areas near Hooker Fields, especially along South Road. University officials recommend that motorists avoid driving near the area on Wednesday afternoon. The department of transportation and parking will continue to post details about street and parking lot closures, public parking (including disability), transit and park-and-ride options at http://move.unc.edu/events/president-obama-visit/.
- Street and Parking Lot Closures
On Wednesday, South Road will be closed to through traffic at 2 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. Parking meters along South Road will be unavailable from 5 a.m. throughout the day.
- Public Parking
Parking is available for the public at Rams Head Deck and the S11 Manning lot at $5 per vehicle. The S11 Manning lot will be served by shuttle.
- Public Disability Parking
Public disability parking is available at the Williamson lot at $5 per vehicle.
The S11 Williamson lot will be serviced by a shuttle from noon through the end of the event. It will stop at Carmichael Driveway until 1:30 p.m. After 1:30 p.m., when the event is in progress, the stop will move 200 feet down the street to Fetzer Gym.
- Transit and Park and Rides
Chapel Hill Transit provides local fare-free transit services to campus. The Town of Chapel Hill has four Park and Rides at $2 per day. GoTriangle serves Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Fares are $4.50 round trip and free Park and Ride lots are available with routes serving UNC.
- Chapel Hill Transit List of Schedule Delays and Detours
Chapel Hill Transit has announced several schedule delays and detours for operations on Wednesday (Nov. 2). All Chapel Hill Transit routes may experience schedule delays throughout the day and the following routes will be detoured due to the closure of South Road: CCX, FCX, G, RU, S, and V. While Chapel Hill Transit will attempt to operate normal published schedules, customers should expect delays and to allow extra travel time around the time of the President’s visit. The detour and any delays will also affect NextBus predictions.
For a full list of schedule changes and details, visit:
http://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/Components/News/News/10383/22
- Map
Visit http://move.unc.edu/events/president-obama-visit/ to see a map showing public parking and shuttle stops for the President’s visit.
Previous Presidential Visits to Carolina
President Obama’s campus appearance on Wednesday for a campaign rally will mark the eighth time a sitting U.S. president has visited Carolina since North Carolina native James K. Polk arrived in 1847 – 29 years after graduating.
Here’s a list of the other visits by sitting U.S. presidents based on reporting by the University’s North Carolina Collection (http://library.unc.edu/wilson/ncc/) and the University Archives (http://library.unc.edu/wilson/uarms/):
2012, President Barack Obama. Gave a policy speech in Carmichael Arena.
1993, President Bill Clinton. Spoke at the University’s Bicentennial Observance on University Day, Oct. 12, in Kenan Stadium.
1961, President John F. Kennedy. Spoke on University Day in Kenan Stadium.
1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Spoke in Woollen Gymnasium during an event moved from Kenan Stadium due to rain.
1867, President Andrew Johnson. A native of Raleigh, Johnson spoke at Commencement.
1859, President James Buchanan. Spoke at Commencement.
1847, President James K. Polk. An 1818 Carolina alumnus and Mecklenburg County native, he was officially welcomed at a ceremony and attended Commencement.
To immerse yourself in more University history tied to U.S. presidents, please visit this 2012 North Carolina Collection blog post:
Updated Nov. 1, 2016, 3:30 p.m.