UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GRADUATION CEREMONY TO SEE HEIGHTENED SECURITY; OFFICIALS SUGGEST EARLY ARRIVAL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - In light of the attacks of September 11, the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) and other law enforcement and security professionals have reviewed and enhanced security measures for the 2002 University of Arkansas all-university Commencement ceremony, Saturday, May 11, at Bud Walton Arena.

Those attending graduation are encouraged to carefully read the policies listed below to help prevent inconvenience and delays at Bud Walton Arena entrances. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with these precautions that are designed to help make graduation day as safe and convenient as possible.

The ceremony itself does not start until 8:45 a.m., but doors will open at 7:30 a.m. The same security measures will be used that have been used for basketball games. PLEASE LEAVE ALL UNESSENTIAL ITEMS AT HOME. Any and all bags are subject to search at any time in and around the arena.

Purses and camera cases will be checked by the ushers. Alcoholic beverages, bottles, cans, thermoses, containers, backpacks, laser pointers, outside food and drink, and noisemakers (bells, horns, whistles or other artificial noisemakers) will not be allowed in the arena. Guests will enter by the South entrance. Graduate students will enter in the truck tunnel and faculty and undergraduates will enter by the press entrance by the South entrances. No one in robes will be allowed through the main (South) entrance -- they will all have to go in their designated entrances.

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