Howard University Commencement Comes With Hand Sanitizer

In a demonstration that concern over swine flu may have declined but has not disappeared, guests at Howard University's commencement yesterday received hand sanitizer along with their programs.

A university spokeswoman said Howard did not seek to raise alarms but rather to go the extra mile with precautions.

As another step, the university had said in a statement that the traditional commencement handshake would "be held in abeyance."

A university student, now fully recovered, was identified as having had a probable case of swine flu. The case has not been confirmed, the spokeswoman said.

Hundreds of people among the estimated 20,000 assembled on the university's quadrangle were seen using the sanitizer, which came in spray tubes, a witness said.

In a statement, Howard quoted news accounts saying that other universities, including the University of Michigan and Northeastern University, had decided to forgo the ceremonial handshake.

In the end, officials said, the day was brilliant, the ceremonies were a success and all 97 PhD candidates -- the only degree recipients who crossed the stage -- got a handshake from Howard President Sidney Ribeau.