GSU may use ticket system for future fall commencements

Recent overflow crowds prompt possible changes

Rodney Farrer of Augusta, right, expresses his frustration with volunteer Don Berecz at missing his stepdaughter's graduation during Georgia Southern University's Fall Commencement at Hanner Fieldhouse. Farrer and about 30 other people waited outside after being told they could not enter because the facility had reached its fire safety capacity.

W 121815 GSU GRAD LOCKOUT 1 — Rodney Farrer of Augusta, right, expresses his frustration with volunteer Don Berecz at missing his stepdaughter's graduation during Georgia Southern University's Fall Commencement at Hanner Fieldhouse. Farrer and about 30 other people waited outside after being told they could not enter because the facility had reached its fire safety capacity.

For several years now, attendance at Georgia Southern University’s fall commencement has overflowed Hanner Fieldhouse, and friends and relatives shut out of the gym have been invited to watch on a screen at the Russell Union. This year, a second remote viewing site was needed for the largest of the three ceremonies, all held Dec. 11. One thing Georgia Southern hasn’t done in recent years is assign each graduate a limited number of tickets, but officials say they are considering it.

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