She said the overall number of videos ordered has gone down in recent years as personal video cameras have become more popular. They still produce around 20 videos for the spring and summer commencements and about half as many for the December graduation, she said. Despite the length of time she has been involved with graduation, some things never get old. The commencement weekend is also busy for local hotels as families from all over come for the event. Jennifer Howard, a desk clerk at Heartland Inn, said that the 170-room hotel is booked a year in advance.
Graduation is pretty good.
If a party atmosphere did erupt at the commencement, Public Safety is on hand to ensure that the ceremony remains safe and under control. Public Safety officer Lt. Tom Johnson oversees 17 campus safety officers inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena and the nearly 20 who are outside to help direct traffic. The officers working inside the arena monitor the locker rooms and are occasionally summoned to escort intoxicated students from the ceremony, he said.