NC State Apologizes After Guests Were Barred From 5,000-Seat Graduation Venue

4 articles · Updated · WRAL News · May 11

Friday’s Biological Sciences graduation at Reynolds Coliseum left parents and grandparents outside despite arriving early, with staff citing fire-code limits as doors were closed.
Families said a pre-ceremony email told them no RSVP or ticket was required, fueling anger after some were turned away while photos from inside appeared to show empty seats.
NC State said it "sincerely apologizes" and that a live feed was set up in Talley Student Union for those unable to enter.
The university has not answered questions about whether Reynolds was actually at capacity, why tickets were not issued, or whether any door-closing time had been communicated.

With photos showing empty seats, why did NC State block families from graduation by claiming the venue was full?

Could a simple event app have prevented the graduation chaos that left hundreds of families locked out of the ceremony?