In less than five weeks, the College of Santa Fe will hold its final commencement ceremony, but plans to hold it off campus are proving slightly controversial.

College officials scheduled the ceremony for May 15 at the Santa Fe Community College and said the move will save the school money.

"Our commencement is the day after (the community college's)," said Marcia Sullivan, vice president of administration and communication at CSF. "The setup stays in place, which is convenient, efficient and a wonderful way to save costs."

Sullivan said the college spent $50,000 for its commencement ceremony each of the last two years, when it used the Shellaberger Tennis Center, which is on the college campus. This year, because the community college is waiving a rental fee and allowing the use of its equipment, the ceremony will cost $10,000, Sullivan said.

"We can't afford to do it on campus, and the community college is a strong community partner and has extended its generosity," Sullivan said.

The financially ailing college is closing May 22 after several efforts to have private institutions or the state take over the school.

But the move has prompted criticism from some faculty and students who are upset that the ceremony won't be held on campus and that students didn't have enough input in the decision.

A group of students sent out an e-mail Thursday announcing a meeting today to discuss the ceremony.

On campus Thursday afternoon, though, it was hard to find a graduating senior who agreed with the e-mailers. Most of them understood why officials made the decision and were grateful to the community college.

"This e-mail made me roll my eyes a little bit," said Zoe Etkin, a senior in the creative writing department. She said seniors she's talked to agree with her and are glad to have it at the community college because more people will be able to attend.

While it was held at the Shellaberger Center, Etkin said, graduates were limited to two guests. This year, "you can have as many people as you want," she said.

Jon Derrington, a senior in the theater department, said that while the decision bothered him at first, once he found out the reasons behind it, he accepted it. "I just want to graduate, you know," he said. "It doesn't matter where."

Sullivan also pointed out that it was only recently that commencement was held on campus. Through the years it was held at the Santa Fe Opera, Sweeney Convention Center, Glorieta Conference Center and elsewhere.

Sullivan said she understands why students want to have it on campus this year. "I understand especially this year, considering how emotionally charged it was for them," Sullivan said. "They're looking at a school they love closing, and so they have a particular connection."

A task force appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson is still working on ways the state could acquire the college campus. It meets at 10 a.m. today at the Stewart Udall Building on Museum Hill.

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or jsena@sfnewmexican.com.