WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris returns to Howard University on election night.

Harris, a college graduate, plans to spend Tuesday evening at her alma mater. That will be accompanied by an increased security presence and safety measures to help students and the vice president safely prepare for Tuesday’s event.

The campus changes as they prepare to host the VP and her running mate, Tim Walz.

The campaign confirmed last Thursday that they will host their election night event there and preparations have been non-stop since then. Crews are working around the clock, installing these jersey barriers at the bottom of ten-foot fences on Georgia Avenue.

The work can be seen throughout the Howard University campus.

“This makes me feel a lot better because we’re an HBCU and we get so much hate,” freshman Sanaa Holston said.

‘The Yard’ is where Harris and Walz will have the watch party. It is a place where students spend time hanging out, studying or enjoying a meal.

“It’s really magical to see what they did with it,” junior Jamal Richardson said. “It’s exciting to see this turn into a huge spectacle with lights and booths and all this other stuff.”

READ MORE: Harris will hold an election night watch party at Howard University, the campaign confirmed

In a letter to the Howard community, university President Ben Vinson III said the Department of Public Safety is “working in partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies to provide safety measures for our students, faculty and staff, and unprecedented numbers of visitors to our community.”

“Just the fact that people from outside are coming here and the student is protected by these gates in our housing facilities, I think it’s important,” Howard student Madeline Willocks told FOX 5.

In addition to the increased security measures on campus, nearby streets will be closed through Sunday, November 10, as well as some parking restrictions. Neighbors and businesses in the area say they are not bothered by the nuisance.

“I’m super excited about it. To be in the middle of it, that’s why I live in DC,” said neighbor Sally Pearson.

Students on campus Tuesday tell FOX 5 they are looking forward to this historic event.

“If anything happens, regardless of the outcome, I just want there to be peace on this campus,” Richardson said.

In-person classes are canceled this week, meaning some buildings are closed but students can still access their dorms.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BEN VINSON III BELOW:

Dear Howard University community,

We are on the cusp of a pivotal moment in our country’s history, a moment that is rooted in Howard history because of our former student, presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her journey through Howard leads to a full-circle moment with her return to campus on election night.

We are honored that the University was selected by the Harris-Walz Campaign for Tuesday’s historic event. As we continue preparations, I want to thank our faculty, staff and students for your resilience, patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

However, we do recognize the potential inconvenience to our campus community and the interruption of regularly scheduled classes and campus activities. The administrative leadership team is aware that amid the excitement of this moment, there are significant security concerns arising from the nature of this highly charged election season, as well as access to campus and support services.

After careful consideration and assurance of the focus on security and campus logistics, we determined that honoring the Harris-Walz campaign’s request was the right thing to do at this historic moment. I assure you that the safety and security of our community is of the utmost importance to our administration and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), as well as to the Harris-Walz campaign.

DPS is working with local and state law enforcement agencies on safety measures for our students, faculty and staff, and unprecedented numbers of visitors to our community. These measures require us to adjust our schedules and restrict access to the Yard and associated buildings. We also ask that you add your vigilance to ours. If you see something, say something.

The University Counseling Service and the Office of the Dean of the Chapel are available to provide support to those experiencing anxiety or needing spiritual support during this time. The Office of the Provost, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Division of Student Affairs, Emergency Services and other administrative offices will ensure that you have access to all services, support and information needed for the duration of the event. Above all, you are our top priority.

As this election season draws to a close, one commonality applies to all of us, regardless of our political affiliation: We are Bison, bound together by the legacy and long line of leaders who exemplify Howard’s commitment to our core values ​​of Excellence, Leadership, Truth and Service . I look forward to joining you as we welcome a daughter of Howard to the Mecca and invite the world to see once again what it really means to be a Bison!

Dedicated to truth and service,

Ben Vinson III, Ph.D.
President

DETAILED PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FROM DC POLICE BELOW:

From Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 6:00 AM to Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM, the following streets will be designated as emergency parking zones. These restrictions could end sooner if the US Secret Service no longer requires the security measures before November 10.

• Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
• Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
• 300 block of College Street, NW
• Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
• W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
• W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
• V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• 9th Street from Euclid Street to U Street, NW
• 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
• Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
• 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
• 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW

Road closures

From Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM, the following streets will be closed to all car traffic. The duration of these closures will be based on security requirements established by the U.S. Secret Service in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department. Motorists and the public should expect an extended period of street closures.

• Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
• Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
• Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
• 300 block of College Street, NW
• Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
• W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
• W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
• V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
• 9th Street from Euclid Avenue to U Street, NW
• 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
• Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to V Street, NW
• 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
• 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
• 5th Street from Gresham Place, NW to McMillan Drive, NW
• 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW

Local traffic only restrictions

Many roads in the immediate area During the road closures of the streets above, the following streets will only be accessible to local traffic from Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM. Officers stationed at these traffic posts give motorists permission to enter the area, upon request.

• Gresham Place from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
• Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
• Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
• W Street from Florida Avenue to 9th Street, NW
• V Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
• 8th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• Georgia Avenue from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW (hospital access)
• 5th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• 4th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• 3rd Street from Elm Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• 2nd Street from Bryant Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• Adams Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
• W Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
• Elm Street from 5th Street to 2nd Street, NW
• V Street from 4th Street to First Street, NW
• U Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
• U Street from 3rd Street to Florida Avenue, NW
• Thomas Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
• T Street from Florida Avenue to First Street, NW

Diversions and closures of public transport

Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess services will also be affected in the area around Howard University’s campus. Customers using stations or bus lines in this area should allow for additional travel time due to detours and delays.
Metrobus
Beginning Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM, the following Metrobus routes will be diverted:

• Routes diverted:70, 79

Additional signage will be placed at all bus stops within the safety perimeter to alert customers of detours and nearby alternatives.
There may be additional unforeseen impacts to Metrobus service. Customers on these routes and routes in the area should take additional travel time into account due to detours and delays. Due to the road closures, Metro’s real-time service information through BusETA and Metro’s Trip Planner may not accurately reflect the diverted service.

Metrorail

There are no planned impacts to Metrorail service in the area.

Metro access

Customers are advised that door-to-door service will not be available within the security perimeter and delays are possible due to road closures in the area. Efforts will be made to provide a drop-off service as close as possible if traveling to/from a location in the restricted area. MetroAccess will operate normal service outside the area surrounding the Howard University campus and will notify customers of the potential impacts.

Capital Bikeshare

The following Capital Bikeshare locations will be deactivated starting the evening of November 4:

• 4th Street and College Street, NW
• Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street, NW

Additionally, the area around Howard University’s campus will be a No Ride Zone for Capital Bikeshare bicycles during the safety closures.