Atlanta

Students upset commencement at Georgia Tech

ATLANTA — Some college seniors have complaints about their commencement. They say they are concerned about the venue -- and the number of tickets they will receive.

It may unusual on the surface, but Georgia State Officials say they have very good reasons for holding this year's commencement at the McCamish Pavilion on Georgia Tech's campus.

"That's very strange.  I'm graduating from Georgia State and not Georgia Tech," GSU student Maria Aguirie told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon.

"I think they could have picked a different location, definitely," GSU student Dashawn Allen said.

While Georgia State commencements were held at the Georgia Dome in previous years, this year Georgia State seniors will pick up their diplomas at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion.

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"We're very aware that this is a very important event for students and their families. So we're concerned about it. And we're sorry we had to find an alternate location," GSU vice president of public relations Don Hale told Wilfon.

GSU struck out on the three logical places for this year's ceremony. The Georgia dome is about to be imploded, the remodeling project at Turner Field won't be done in time and Philips Arena is keeping its calendar clear for other possible events.

"As it turns out the only venue that could accommodate us on the dates of our commencement is the McCamish Pavilion at Georgia Tech," Hale said,

But the pavilion's smaller size creates another problem for seniors -- a limited number of tickets for friends and family.

Each senior will receive only six for the one-of-a-kind commencement.

"I wish we could get more, because I know in year's past it's been an unlimited number," Allen said.

"Especially coming from a Hispanic family, we do have a big family, so we do need more tickets,” Aguirie said.

Once the remodeling project at Turner Field is complete, future Georgia State commencements will be held there and seniors will once again have unlimited tickets.