Family, friends forced outside of UTEP Honors Convocation after Magoffin Auditorium reaches capacity

Family and friends were forced to wait outside of UTEP’s Honors Convocation after Magoffin Auditorium reached its capacity Sunday.

Each spring, UTEP recognizes outstanding seniors in each department, honors students, those active in organizations and athletics and UTEP’s Top Ten seniors. The ceremony was held at Magoffin Auditorium and reached its capacity before the ceremony started.

There were dozens of family and friends who were not allowed inside due to safety and fire code regulations.Family members were required to RSVP but officials say attendees were let in on a first-come, first serve basis.

“When I asked to speak to somebody, they just pushed us out and left us there and sent the police like we were criminals. And I don’t appreciate that. We’re decent people. We just wanted to see our daughters, or children, to receive their award and I’m very, very disappointed with the university. I myself graduated from this university. Shame on UTEP. Shame on UTEP,” one parent said.

Magoffin auditorium only allows for up to 1,200 people. UTEP officials say they received 516 RSVPs for the event and only planned for 750 attendees.

“We regret tremendously that we did not have space for everyone. We hope that they will join us at commencement where we will have plenty of space there. We’re a growing university and we grow, as we grow obviously need bigger facilities and certainly that is on our agenda. Regrettably we don’t have those facilities right now,” Beto Lopez, Vice-Preseident of University Relations said.

When asked if UTEP officials would consider moving the ceremony to another venue, officials said they wanted to keep it more intimate but will consider moving it next year.

Officials say they did not hand out tickets because they did not anticipate the large attendance.