Overview
- The university notified area districts that no campus venues, including 3M Arena at Mariucci, will be available for 2026 commencements.
- Officials said they will help with a transition for affected schools but offered no specific plan.
- Safety concerns were a factor after a May 30 shooting outside Mariucci injured two people and a separate incident near Burnsville High School involved shots fired.
- Districts are exploring alternative sites such as Target Center, Allianz Field, and other large facilities, which could drive schedule changes and tighter ticketing.
- Some school systems anticipate higher costs without one large indoor venue, with one district warning expenses could triple if multiple locations are needed.