The class of 2014 will not walk through the arches to O’Shaughnessy Stadium on its graduation day, but will instead celebrate at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Alumni Programs Manager Liz Pojar said a survey sent to members of the junior class in December influenced the decision. Of the 44 percent of the students who responded, 54.8 percent said they would prefer greater ticket access at the expense of an on-campus celebration.

In previous years, graduates were offered two tickets for guests at an indoor location if it rained. Because the junior class is the largest in history to graduate from St. Thomas, if graduation was held on campus, only one ticket would have been issued to each junior class member in the event of rain. Now students have access to an unlimited amount of tickets.

Junior Caitlin McMahon said she welcomes the change in venue and that the increase in tickets is a great adjustment.

“(If I get more tickets,) I’m all for it,” McMahon said. “There would probably be more parking over there, and I feel like an indoor setting is a good idea since Minnesota weather is so unpredictable.”

Executive Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Rachel Wobschall said it is always preferable to celebrate on campus, but a positive rainy day graduation experience at the Metrodome in 2010, due to campus construction, highlighted the advantages of an off-campus venue.

“Our experience tells us that family and friends really want to be in the same room as the student who’s graduating. The one year we did go off campus … some people didn’t like it. They didn’t like the venue,” Wobschall said. “But, the skies did open up, and I know that a lot of people were glad to be inside with all of their guests.”

Junior Kyle Kneepkens said he would rather have the ceremony on campus, but understands the reasons behind the decision.

“I would prefer that it be here, but not if everybody couldn’t come. It’s more important that we are all together,” Kneepkens said. “Our families have supported us throughout college and I would like my family to be there when it all ends.”

Junior Chris Hannigan said he didn’t vote in the survey and wasn’t away the university was considering a new location, but is open to the new location.

“I think it’s a good change,” Hannigan said. “I wouldn’t want to have to decide between giving my only on campus ticket to either my mom or dad so this option they can both come, and my brother. I really don’t care about the location.”

In addition to accommodating extra guests, Wobschall said the move will simplify the setup process. The cost of the ceremony will not increase because only one plan will be organized instead of an indoor and an outdoor program.

The Convention Center was the only option for an off-campus celebration. Other venues are governed by national sports franchises, so the venue would be able to bump the graduation ceremony at any time if another event took priority.

An in-depth planning process will begin after the new junior class council is elected this semester. Wobschall said buses will be scheduled to run between the St. Paul campus and the Convention Center all day to facilitate transportation.

Sophomore Jake Powell said as long as students are comfortable during the ceremony it would not matter where graduation is held. He said he would hope the class of 2015 would ultimately choose the Convention Center if placed in the same situation.

“I think it would be neat to graduate on the football field and be surrounded by campus. But on the other hand, if it is a warm day, we would fry,” Powell said. “I’d rather have it at the Convention Center than the (Anderson Athletic Recreation Center) Field House (if it rained).”

Wobschall said the situation will not set a precedent for future classes.

“The final decision must pass through the president’s office. We’re not sure how our future president will want to handle this,” Wobschall said. “We also want the students who will be impacted to have a voice, so we would send another survey to students in the future.”

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.