Eastern Mennonite University’s decision to move its 2026 commencement ceremony indoors months ahead of graduation has raised questions among some students about how the decision was made and whether it signals a shift in how the university will hold future commencements.

The university announced Dec. 2 that the ceremony for the Class of 2026 will be held at Yoder Arena in the University Commons, rather than outdoors as in recent years.

In an email sent to graduating seniors, Interim President Shannon Dycus stated that the university decided after monitoring the “practical realities” of hosting a large outdoor ceremony. The email cited unpredictable weather, rising costs associated with outdoor staging, and city and national regulations as contributing factors. 

“Many of us were expecting an outdoor celebration on the front lawn,” the email stated, adding that the decision was made with an emphasis on the dignity of the ceremony, the comfort and safety of families, and stewardship of university resources.

According to a university frequently asked questions page released following the announcement, officials pointed to significantly increasing costs related to tents, flooring, staging, technology, and weather backup systems. The FAQ confirmed that the date and the time of commencement will remain the same: May 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. The ceremony will not require tickets or guest limits. The university last held its commencement in Yoder Arena in 2016.

The FAQ also stated that all pre-requested Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations will be honored and noted that Yoder Arena offers improved accessibility. The ceremony will be livestreamed as planned, and campus grounds will remain open for outdoor photos.

Some graduating seniors said they were disappointed by the decision, particularly in comparison to recent outdoor commencements. Daisy Buller, a senior, said she wished students had been more involved in the discussion before the decision was finalized. 

“Having it in the gym feels like a letdown in comparison,” Buller said. “I would have appreciated it if it had been more of a discussion rather than an announcement. I do understand the reasoning, but it’s disappointing that it wasn’t what we expected.”

Allie Watkins, also a senior, said she was confused by the timing of the decision, particularly the reference to weather uncertainty.

“I don’t really understand listing ‘unpredictable weather’ as a reason to switch the commencement location months in advance,” Watkins said. She also questioned whether the move indoors could signal a longer-term change in how commencements are held.

Dycus said that commencement planning typically begins in early fall and involves coordination across multiple departments, prompting the administration to communicate the decision early in the process.

“I wanted to be able to communicate it as soon as possible, so that as people are starting to imagine it, they could do so with how we were seeing the resources,” Dycus said. “Instead of having to make a swift pivot in the middle of people’s imagination of the idea.”

She said rising costs, logistical challenges, and safety concerns all factored into the decision, including the increasing likelihood of extreme weather and the need for duplicate setups in case of weather-related changes. Conversations with senior class officers also influenced the decision, particularly discussions about safety for some families.

Addressing student disappointment, Dycus encouraged students to share feedback as planning continues and conversations with student leaders are ongoing.

“If folks are frustrated, if folks are disappointed, let us hear it,” Dycus said. “If there’s things we can adapt in our planning, that’s definitely space we’re holding open.”

Dycus said the move indoors is likely to continue in the coming years, noting that holding commencement outdoors under a tent was a relatively new practice in the university’s history.

“This feels like a drastic change, but it’s actually not that drastic in the historical arc of decisions here,” said Dycus. “It’s really returning to a practice that has been true for a long time.”

Commencement for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for May 3 at 1 p.m. in Yoder Arena. As planning continues, university officials say they will gather feedback from students while some seniors continue to adjust expectations for a ceremony that will look different from recent years.