University of Minnesota says it will stop hosting high school graduation ceremonies

The University of Minnesota says it will no longer rent facilities on its Twin Cities campus for high school graduation ceremonies, a change that has left many area school districts searching for new venues for next spring’s ceremonies.

The university informed districts of its decision on Tuesday.

“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,” the U of M said in a subsequent statement provided to MPR News. “The University is committed to doing what it can to ensure a smooth transition for area high schools.”

U of M officials said they “remain focused on our students, safety for all, operations, and core mission at a time when higher education is facing significant challenges.”

Many Twin Cities-area districts had moved their commencement ceremonies to venues at the U of M — in particular, 3M Arena at Mariucci — because it was better able to accommodate large crowds than at individual schools.

But the season of high school graduation ceremonies on campus was marred last spring, when there was a shooting outside the Wayzata High School event.

The U of M’s statement on its policy change did not mention that incident.

The South Washington County school district was among those affected by the policy change. The principal of its East Ridge High School, James Smokrovich, sent a letter to families Wednesday saying the announcement was a surprise.

“We are disappointed in the decision, because hosting our commencement ceremonies at Mariucci last year provided a great experience for our students and their families. The late notice also puts large high schools, like ours, in a tough spot,” he wrote.

Smokrovich wrote that East Ridge has started reaching out to other potential sites for next spring’s ceremony, but “there are limited venues that work for the size of our graduating classes.”

The U of M’s policy change also affects high schools in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, as well as Spring Lake Park High School — and it’s drawn criticism from at least one state lawmaker representing that part of the metro.

Republican state Sen. Michael Kreun of Blaine wrote to U of M President Rebecca Cunningham, urging her to reconsider the decision.

“Making this decision in late October puts affected districts in a significant bind to find alternative venues,” Kreun wrote, noting that graduation dates have already been set. “Families have already made graduation plans and festivities around the graduation date; and many family members have already made travel plans. It is disappointing to learn that you didn’t make this decision in consultation with the affected school districts.”

Kreun wrote that it “would have been more responsible” to start any policy changes in the 2026-27 school year.

The Anoka-Hennepin district said graduation ceremonies for its Andover, Coon Rapids and Champlin Park High Schools had been held at 3M Arena at Mariucci for more than a decade, and Blaine High School’s ceremony was moved to that venue four years ago.

“The District was committed to utilizing Mariucci again for the Class of 2026 prior to the announcement,” the district said in a statement. “The plan moving forward is for school and district officials to evaluate other venue options for the off-campus ceremonies (and) finalize a plan for 2026 graduations as soon as possible.”

Lakeville Area Schools is also among the districts searching for a new graduation venue, for Lakeville North and South high schools.

“We will most likely move our ceremonies back to our high schools. We are working on vetting the details of that plan and hope to be able to communicate updated information to our high school senior families in the coming weeks,” the district said.