Students who paid $39.95 a ticket for their families to access the stadium's Audi Club got bad news in an email from Rutgers officials.
PISCATAWAY -- Some of the Rutgers University students who paid $39.95 a ticket to have their families and friends watch their graduation ceremony from a premium box in the campus football stadium may be out of luck.
University officials sent an email to students Wednesday saying the tickets the school sold to sit in the 960-seat Audi Club are "no longer valid" now that President Barack Obama is the commencement speaker.
"The three ticket guest limit for each graduate has now been extended to the Rutgers Audi Club so tickets previously issued are no longer valid," the email said.
Rutgers students selling Obama tix online
Students will be issued refunds for the premium seats in the Audi Club, which had been sold out for weeks.
But students will still be able to get some of their family and friends into the Audi Club. Those who previously purchased seats in the Audi Club can email the university to request passes for their guests to get into the premium seating in the club. The passes will be free because the section will not be serving food and drinks, as previously planned, the email said.
"They are still guaranteed 3 tickets in Audi Club," said E.J. Miranda, a Rutgers spokesman.
Graduates have until 11:59 p.m. today to apply through the Rutgers website for up to three new tickets for guests, the email said.
Under the original plan, students could pay $39.95 a person for an unlimited number of seats for their family and friends to watch the commencement ceremony from the Audi Club. The package included indoor and outdoor seats protected from rain, free snacks and soft drinks, a cash bar and private bathrooms.
Rutgers officials did not say why the plan to allow students to pay for their families to sit in the Audi Club was canceled or if part of the special seating section will now be used for other VIP guests during Obama's speech.
The White House announced last month that Obama would address the May 15 commencement ceremony at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway in honor of Rutgers' 250th anniversary.
Though Rutgers officials said they are thrilled to have the president speak, his appearance has dramatically increased demand for tickets to the ceremony. The university announced last month that graduates from the New Brunswick campus would be limited to one ticket for themselves and three tickets for their guests.
Graduates from the Newark and Camden campuses, who were not scheduled to participate in the New Brunswick ceremony, are eligible for one ticket to sit in the stands to see Obama's speech.
About 52,000 people, including more than 12,000 graduates seated on the field, are expected to attend the ceremony.
In order to cut down on scalping, Rutgers officials said tickets to the ceremony are not transferable and graduates have until Wednesday to submit the names of the guests using their three allotted tickets. Guests will be required to show photo identification at the stadium that matches the name on their ticket.
But, the system has not stopped some graduates from trying to buy or sell tickets to the ceremony. Craigslist includes several advertisements from students trying to sell tickets for $100 or more each.
Many graduates have also complained that the three-ticket limit means they have had to ask some siblings and family members not to attend their commencement ceremony.
Rutgers plans to open several student centers and other locations for guests to watch a live video feed of the ceremony.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Adam Clark contributed to this report.
Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find NJ.com on Facebook.