U of M’s College of Liberal Arts commencement ceremony to be combined with other colleges

The University of Minnesota says it is combining this school year’s graduations into a larger outdoor ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium.

The College of Liberal Arts says the school’s 2023 commencement will be held with several of the other colleges at the university.

The University of Minnesota sent a message to students on the Twin Cities campus, saying the move is due to the closure of 3M Arena at Mariucci while renovations take place. The message went on to say the “options for relocation are limited, but a current option is to combine multiple collegiate ceremonies into two large ceremonies at Huntington Bank Stadium.” It also said the university understood this option would change the commencement ceremony for graduates.

Commencement celebration plans are still being developed that would include graduates’ names being read, photos, and crossing the stage.

University officials went on to apologize for the lack of communication with students regarding the changes.

In addition, the university says on its website there will be a website that has answers to frequently asked questions soon but adds feedback and questions regarding the venue change can be done so by filling out THIS FORM. The university didn’t immediately specify who was allowed to give feedback on the venue change.

A change.org petition, which has about 7,000 signatures as of 11:30 a.m. Friday, says the change means many students won’t walk across the stage. That petition is urging university leaders to reconsider.

The 2023 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13.