HBCU homecomings are cultural cornerstones that entice 1000’s of alumni, college students, and neighborhood members annually. However for North Carolina Central College (NCCU), this yr’s celebration will look markedly completely different as the varsity prioritizes security within the wake of violence that marred its 2024 festivities.
Final yr, two separate shootings occurred throughout North Carolina Central’s homecoming weekend. One incident left 4 folks injured, together with an NCCU scholar. The suspect, Jerrick Dennard Woods, was hit with a number of expenses together with assault with a lethal weapon and discharging a firearm on academic property. An earlier, unrelated capturing on the identical evening resulted in expenses in opposition to an NCCU assistant professor, though nobody was damage in that incident.
In response, North Carolina Central has launched strict site visitors and entry protocols for its 2025 homecoming, scheduled for October 25. In line with college officers, there can be no customer parking on campus, with restricted exceptions for ADA-accessible and RV parking with correct passes. All tailgating areas have to be licensed and pre-approved by the Athletics division. The college has additionally banned bikes and exterior golf carts from campus in the course of the occasion.
To accommodate attendees, NCCU will provide shuttle buses from downtown Durham and Durham Tech, with designated drop-off factors on campus. Music and different out of doors festivities will shut down by 6:30 p.m., with campus closing at 7:00 p.m. and the ultimate bus routes leaving by 8:00 p.m. This represents a big change as images have emerged lately with 1000’s of individuals on the yard properly into the evening.
North Carolina Central’s adjustments mirror a broader pattern amongst HBCUs working to stability custom with the realities of recent security considerations. By reimagining its homecoming logistics, NCCU hopes to protect the spirit of celebration whereas guaranteeing a safe atmosphere for all who attend. For the Durham, NC-based HBCU, security now stands on the forefront of custom.
