High schools pivot as University of Minnesota no longer hosts graduations

Scenes such as this are no more, as the University of Minnesota made the decision to discontinue hosting high school graduations.

For years, graduating at the University of Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci has been a defining moment for thousands of high school seniors from across the Twin Cities. 

But the University of Minnesota announced in October that it will no longer host high school commencement ceremonies. While it was not publicly stated, some have speculated the shooting during Wayzata High School’s graduation at the university this past year played a role in the decision. 

In a written statement, the university said “hosting more than 20 outside events with thousands of attendees over a two-week period represents a significant strain on the University’s limited resources that is no longer sustainable.” U of M officials say that the decision comes at a time when higher education is facing broader challenges, adding that it “remain(s) focused on our students, safety for all, operations, and core mission at a time when higher education is facing significant challenges.”

Now that the long-standing tradition has come to an end, it forces school districts to rethink where and how they will celebrate commencement. For some districts across the Twin Cities, the transition has already begun. 

In Anoka-Hennepin, one of the state's largest school districts, planning had already been underway for four graduation ceremonies previously slated for Mariucci Arena, all scheduled for the same day. Nearly 2,500 students from Andover, Blaine, Coon Rapids and Champlin Park high schools were set to walk the stage, with ceremonies spaced throughout the day. 

Maintaining structure had become a priority as district leaders searched for a new venue. 

“The most important factors were maintaining the date and finding a location with the seating capacity and location,” said Jim Skelly, executive director of communication and public relations at Anoka-Hennepin school district. 

The district moved all four ceremonies to U.S. Bank Stadium for May. 31, a shift that comes at a steep cost. While renting space at the University of Minnesota was roughly $55,000, Skelly said U.S. Bank Stadium will be more than $100,000 with the final costs yet to be determined.

Even with the increased expense, the district is prioritizing keeping ceremonies centralized to minimize conflicts for families with multiple graduates. 

“This is a one-year decision,” Skelly said, also noting “parents will be surveyed for their feedback prior to decisions being made for future years.”

Other districts are also navigating the shift. 

Lakeville Area Schools held its commencement ceremonies at Mariucci for two decades, and while the venue had become familiar, school leaders say the heart and joy of graduation goes beyond location. Lakeville South High School will hold its commencement ceremony on school grounds. 

"I think as long as we are together celebrating students and families; have a commencement that is memorable, having it in our home stadium adds to some nostalgia, but the importance of being together in celebration is what matters most,” Lakeville South High School Principal Shaun Murphy said. 

Hopkins High School senior Zoe Eder described the change in location as disappointing, especially for students who had spent years expecting to graduate at Mariucci. 

“Everyone in my grade has been looking forward to graduating at Mariucci Arena for their entire time in high school,” she said. 

While acknowledging that graduation will still take place, Eder said the venue itself carried symbolic weight and the university’s decision feels unfair.

“I feel like this could have been solved in a different way,” she said, suggesting that increased security presence could have been an alternative solution. “Younger grades shouldn’t have to be punished for other people’s reckless decisions.”