<p>I guess no one has to attend but the security and lines will be ridiculous for UC Irvine graduates on Saturday. No flowers, no liquids (so you can’t bring your own water?), no large handbags. Parents can bring cameras but graduates cannot. But cellphones are okay. </p>
<p>Thankfully, this is not my kids’ graduation. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.commencement.uci.edu/commencement2014_security.php”>http://www.commencement.uci.edu/commencement2014_security.php</a></p>
<p>Yeah, it’s a pain but totally understandable - and worth it, to have the president give your commencement address! </p>
<p>But I don’t understand your post. You’re not surprised, are you? I attended a Bob Dole rally back in the day, and it was pouring rain. I mean, pouring. The secret service didn’t allow purses, hats or umbrellas. I was so completely drenched i squished when touched. Had a great conversation with a Secret Service agent though. Fun times. </p>
<p>At MIT it was just like the airport. They did have bottled water available once you went through security. (And all we got was DuPont’s CEO.)</p>
<p>I’m just glad that at our graduations, their will be less hassle and the focus will be on the graduates. </p>
<p>This is a PR move on the part of the school that began a long time ago. They also cannot decorate their caps to keep the look clean for photos. Really, I do wish our leaders would do more leading and less talking in general. And, lets just say, not all of the students are thrilled, either. The OC is the friendliest place he could have chosen in CA and with everything that’s going on right now in the world the timing is not the greatest.imho.</p>
<p>How is that different from attending a football game? No outside drinks or food and no large purses or large cameras are allowed. I’m not that surprised or shocked. </p>
<p>This is the school which disrupted a speech by the Israeli ambassador a few years ago. In 2012 UC Irvine student govt voted to boycott Israel. It was a unanimous vote. Not surprised Obama is speaking here.</p>
<p>And yet, POTUS got to do an unescorted Starbucks run from the White House this week.</p>
<p>“Yeah, it’s a pain but totally understandable - and worth it, to have the president give your commencement address!”</p>
<p>I don’t know any graduating seniors but many underclassmen are glad it’s not their year. Also, the UCI students I do know are stunningly apolitical. Actually, they’re a little intentionally dumb in his area if you ask me. They have other interests.</p>
<p>This is how it is at every football game I’ve ever attended. I feel like my university-wide graduation was the same way but I can’t fully remember because I didn’t go.</p>
<p>Seems like much ado about nothing. </p>
<p>At the graduations I’ll be attending there will be no such restrictions. I just hope the road closures don’t mess up traffic.</p>
<p>Haha at Hayden, had to laugh at your squished comment. Been there, done that.</p>
<p>Betcha UW kids and parents will have to do the same drill tomorrow, but for whom - Steve Ballmer! Yikes. I’ll take the POTUS, Republican or Democrat over Ballmer any day of the week! Glad I’m not going to the Husky Stadium, and I’ll avoid that area like the plague. </p>
<p>Smaller, departmental ceremonies are so much nicer!</p>
<p>Same thing at Disneyworld. They search your bags before you enter the park. </p>
<p>At least the UCI kids will likely remember who their graduation speaker was! I sure don’t remember mine!</p>
<p>“And yet, POTUS got to do an unescorted Starbucks run from the White House this week.”</p>
<p>Unscripted appearances carry minimal risk, according to the secret service. No one knows in advance, so no one can plan. </p>
<p>I"m so glad that my children are not graduating from this school. I would not be happy with these restrictions and I will admit that I wouldn’t be happy with that speaker either. </p>
<p>At my kids’ uni, there isn’t a speaker - just lots of graduates with decorated caps (about 1/2 are decorated). I think that a speaker can take the focus away from the students on a day that we are celebrating the accomplishments of the students. </p>
<p>And to those who say that the restrictions aren’t anything new at sports arenas, I will say that to me, the restrictions limit the enjoyment of the attendees. I choose not to attend events where I can’t at least bring some water and snacks with me. It allows me to keep to the diet I prefer. </p>
<p>No food, drink, umbrellas or large bags were allowed at DDs graduation. They checked purses as you came in. Umbrellas could be left in bins at the entrance. </p>
<p>The list for my U’s graduation this past semester: </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Our speaker? </p>
<p>GM CEO Mary Barra</p>
<p>These restrictions are not uncommon, no matter who the speaker is. (But something tells me this is more about WHO the speaker is than what one can bring…) </p>
<p>^^Yup. Seriously, if some prominent GOP member was giving a speech at UW, I would only applaud the extra security measures. </p>
<p>With Steve Ballmer speaking, they really needed to specify no rotten eggs and no mildewed tomatoes were allowed. Lol. </p>