Columbia College Shifts Schedule to Avoid NATO, G8 Summits

As both protesters and police ready themselves for the G8 and NATO summits next year, so is Columbia College Chicago. According to a letter to students sent last week by President, Dr. Warrick L. Carter, the school will change its spring calendar to completely avoid having its students anywhere near the Loop.

According to the letter:

Based upon available information about the G8 and NATO summits and related activities happening near the South Loop and our campus area, it became clear that in the best interest of the entire Columbia community, we should shift the end of the 2012 school year by two weeks to avoid potential conflict with these international events.

Columbia’s ever growing campus sits in the heart of where many G8 events will take place. The Hilton Chicago on Michigan and Balbo, just one block south of four Columbia buildings, will house at least eight heads of state and their security details. Most other area hotels will be filled with delegates as well, and major rallies are likely to take place in Grant Park.

We have yet to hear if schools like Roosevelt, Depaul or East West, all with locations in the loop, will follow suit. Judging from recent statements by Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, along with the creation of a new Counter Terrorism Unit, the city is already worried sick about potential clashes between police and protestors. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise us at all if almost the entire loop shuts down for business during the week of May 15, 2012.

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By aaroncynic in News on September 13, 2011 11:40 AM

Comments [rss]

twocee

I agree, I think it will be a logistical nightmare. My office is in the Loop, and I anticipate that my co-workers will spend much of that week working from home.

I shall be relaxing with a margarita somewhere, as I've already booked my vacation (as will alot of people I think).

Navin_Johnson

I'll be drinking margaritas inside your office, and breaking ur stuffs.

BlueFairlane

While concern for potential clashes is justified based on what's been typical of summits like these, there's more to it than that. Even if everything is completely peaceful and runs as smoothly as possible, simply moving through the area is going to be a logistical nightmare. Consider how many streets will be closed, what will be cordoned off, and how many people will be streaming into a relatively small part of town, even discounting protesters. Were I a student at Columbia or Roosevelt or DePaul, I wouldn't want to have to try to move through that, especially not during finals. I wouldn't want to have to try to get to work in the Loop, for that matter. It will be like the hour after the old July 3rd fireworks, only all day, every day for two weeks.

I, too, expect the Loop to shut down. I don't see any way to avoid it.

JayP123

I, too, expect the Loop to shut down. I don't see any way to avoid it.

I certainly hope so. There's no way my exquisitely-timed bank heist can take place unless all security is otherwise occupied.