NO HANDSHAKES AT UH SPRING COMMENCEMENT

The University of Hawaii at Manoa will forego the traditional handshake at the weekend Spring Commencement Ceremony at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The precaution is being taken to protect against the spread of viruses including the H1N1 influenza already present in Hawaii.

The University will also have hand wipes and hand washing stations available at the event.

The University is also advising anyone who is ill with flu-like symptoms (always including fever, often accompanied by sore throat, cough, fatigue, aches/pains) to stay home and not attend the ceremony.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration for our graduates and their loved ones,” said Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw. “We want everyone to feel comfortable in attending this important event, so, as an educational institution, we will demonstrate the practices that we have been advising our community to follow in protecting against the possible spread of any virus, including the H1N1 influenza virus currently present in Hawaii/

Some 2,300 students will earn degrees and certificates for the Spring semester and summer session.  More than 1,500 bachelor candidates are eligible to attend the undergraduate ceremony at 9 a.m., while nearly 800 graduate degree candidates (master’s and doctor’s degrees and post-baccalaureate certificates in secondary education) are eligible to participate in the afternoon ceremony at 3 p.m.

The ceremonies can be watched on a live webcast: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/commencement/

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)