CHARLOTTE - The presidents of six Charlotte-area colleges and universities have invited Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to debate at the Blumenthal Center.

Both U.S. presidential candidates were invited to debate at the 2,100-seat uptown performing arts center. Neither candidate has responded. No date has been scheduled, though the debate would take place before North Carolina's May 6 primary.

"It's just such an extraordinary opportunity for our students and our citizens to see history in the making," said Michael Marsicano, president and CEO of the Foundation for the Carolinas, who helped orchestrate the invitation.

CBS News invited both Democrats to an April debate in North Carolina, though no location has been announced. The candidates are trying to agree on a date. Obama agreed; Clinton has not. Spokesman Howard Wolfson has said the Clinton campaign has made no decision about the CBS debate.

A few weeks ago, during Obama's string of primary victories, Clinton challenged him to debate and ran an ad to that effect in Wisconsin before its Feb. 19 primary. The Charlotte invitation was signed by the presidents of UNC Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Johnson & Wales University, Davidson College and Central Piedmont Community College.