UH Manoa graduation ceremonies will demonstrate healthy practices

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: May 13, 2009

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa will conduct its two Spring 2009 Commencement exercises this Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center as planned.

"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 Hawaiʻi (for information, please see http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/).

"Since we know that keeping our hands clean is one important way of reducing the possible spread of such viruses, there will be hand-wipes and hand-washing stations available and we will also forego the traditional handshake and introduce another sign of congratulations for this ceremony," said Chancellor Hinshaw.

Also, anyone who is ill with flu-like symptoms (always including fever, often accompanied by sore throat, cough, fatigue, aches/pains) should stay home and not attend this ceremony or any other gathering. The ceremonies can be watched on a live webcast: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/commencement/
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.

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For more information, visit: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/