Seniors may be walking across a different stage this year for graduation. The May 2001 Commencement ceremony may be changing locations, depending on the results of an ongoing student survey.

The Commencement Committee – a group consisting of faculty and staff, administrators and student representatives – is exploring the possibility of moving the ceremony from the lawn in front of Founders Hall to the new Jack Miller Stadium.

“It’s hard to say which way it will go,” Director of Public Relations Steve Hannan said. “I think Fred [Finks] wants to get the opinion of the students. It’s really their event.”

Ashland University President Dr. Fred Finks, a member of the Commencement Committee, decided to survey students to gather their opinions, according to Hannan. All graduating seniors received an email with a link to an online survey asking where they would rather have the ceremony be held.

Students can continue to vote through the end of the day tomorrow.

Hannan said the committee began discussing the potential change in September while planning the December commencement ceremony.

The university orders 6,000 rented chairs for each spring commencement ceremony. Approximately 1,000 are set up in the gym in case of rain and approximately 4,200 are set up on Founders lawn, according to Hannan.

If the ceremony is held at the stadium, the committee’s current plan is to have the stage level with the concrete walkway in front of the home side of the stadium.

The stadium has a total capacity of 5,217, but that number would be reduced only if the seating on the home side was used. Hannan said the home side has approximately 3,600 seats.

This is less seating than is typically set up on Founders lawn, but Hannan said the committee is still considering how to set up the ceremony in the stadium if that option is chosen.