Interim President Lou Hencken contacted four campus groups for input on the date of next fall’s commencement, and hopes to announce his decision by Tuesday.

A new university policy pushed by the Council on Academic Affairs and some faculty moves fall commencement to after finals week instead of the weekend before finals week.

Next fall, the commencement date would be Dec. 21.

Hencken, fearing that holding the ceremony so close to the holidays would make it difficult for band members and graduates to participate, sent e-mails requesting input to Faculty, Staff and Student Senate and the CAA.

He said he also plans to contact the Parents’ Club.

“The minute finals are over, (students) want to go home,” Hencken said Wednesday.

The president also pointed out that many students try to get jobs over break

Student Senate voted Wednesday night to hold commencement Dec. 14. Faculty Senate and CAA both voted to keep the commencement date at Dec. 21. These organizations said they were apprehensive about making exceptions to the policy as soon as it goes into effect.

All the groups plan to convene and discuss the matter next week, said Student Body President Hugh O’Hara at Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting.

Hencken said he understands the position of CAA and Faculty Senate.

“It is a good idea to have commencement after finals,” the president said.

Hencken said he contacted CAA because the dilemma is an academic issue, and the various senates because, theoretically, together they represent everyone on campus.

The plan is to examine the arguments behind each group’s position and come to a decision that “is in the best interest of the university,” Hencken said.

When asked if any certain group’s opinions would have a greater impact on his decision than others, Hencken said, “I’ll weigh everyone’s opinions very seriously.”