Howard University canceled graduation ceremonies for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences one hour into the event on Thursday.
Video shows a broken door at Cramton Auditorium and a group of people outside the building.
Howard University’s student newspaper, The Hilltop, reported that a crowd had formed two hours before the ceremony began at 6 p.m. The event was not ticketed.
The newspaper reported that university security closed the door to the building’s foyer after reaching capacity of about 1,500 seats. 280 degrees will be awarded at the ceremony, and the university’s ceremony page says the auditorium can accommodate “an estimated three to four attendees per graduate.”
After being asked by the keynote speaker, CNAHS Dean Gina Spivey-Brown said, “Due to the large size of the room and the fact that our relatives sometimes don’t know how to behave, the fire department has not been able to help us. We’re here to shut out people,” he told the audience. She paused her speech, according to The Hilltop.
Fire authorities dispute the reason for the cancellation.
Fire officials told ABC affiliate WJLA that the ceremony was not canceled.
“At 6:42 p.m., at the request of Campus Police, we responded to a medical call to Cramton Auditorium. The patient was evaluated and refused transport, and DC Fire and EMS departed.” said Noah Gray, chief communications officer. He wrote a letter to the station.
The university apologized for the cancellation in a statement Friday and said it would review its crowd control policies.
“Looking forward, we are committed to taking steps to better manage crowd capacity and enhance the commencement experience,” the university said in a statement.
Nursing class was acknowledged and apologized at the start.
Howard President Ben Vinson III recognized the graduates at the university’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, The Hilltop reported.
“I’m sorry for what you’ve endured this week, and we stand here to honor you,” Vinson said.
According to The Hilltop, university ceremonies resumed after graduation.
