While last year’s graduating class voted to hold its ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the 2015 St. Thomas undergraduate commencement ceremony will return to O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

The class of 2014 voted to hold the ceremony off campus because of its larger-than-average size and the Convention Center’s capacity to accommodate any guests in case of a poor weather. According to Commencement Coordinator Mary Rausch, this year’s ceremony is back on campus because of multiple factors, including the class of 2015’s smaller size.

“President Sullivan feels strongly about having it here on campus,” Rausch said. “It’s really a numbers-driven decisions … There’s a long history of having it here. Last year was really the exception to the rule.”

While students are allowed to bring only two guests if the event is moved inside due to bad weather, Rausch said she believes holding commencement on campus has its advantages.

“A lot of our students’ parents are alumni, and it gives them an opportunity to come back on campus,” Rausch said. “Also, for families whose parents aren’t alumni, it gives them a chance to come and see where their son or daughter has spent the last couple years.”

Senior Nicholas Cipoletti will be graduating with degrees in biology and environmental science and said he hoped the ceremony would stay off campus.

“I was a little disappointed because the weather is always an issue, and we might have to move it inside, and then you only get two tickets (for guests) if moved inside,” Cipoletti said. “It’s a bit of a burden for families who come out here.”

Senior class president Erin Statz said she is excited to graduate with her class on campus.

“I think it gives closure because we’ve spent the last four years here, and that’s also where we are getting our diploma. I think it’s really fitting,” Statz said.

Statz attended the ceremony two years ago and said the family environment and photo opportunities around campus were special.

Cipoletti agreed that the family aspect of the ceremony is important, which is why he wants it at St. Thomas.

“To me, what matters more is if my family can be there,” he said. “Obviously if it’s outside and the weather’s fine, then it’s not an issue. Ultimately it just depends on the day; the location doesn’t matter as much.”

Statz said she understands the constraints of weather, but having the event at St. Thomas is still important to her.

“I understand the rationale for both, but I don’t know. Personally, I really like it on campus,” Statz said. “I guess technically it really doesn’t matter but for sentimental purposes, I think it’s really special. I suppose it’s a gamble to keep it on campus.”

The graduation ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, in O’Shaughnessy Stadium. In the event of severe weather conditions, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the field house, located in the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex.

Simeon Lancaster can be reached at lanc4637@stthomas.edu.