CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Newly-minted media arts graduate Joel Moskowitz screams to relatives in the crowd during the December 2004 commencement ceremony in McKale Center. Future graduation ceremonies will have more security measures in an effort to control tortilla throwing.

Members of the Commencement Policy Committee said students should expect to see "honor guards" and security checkpoints at this spring's commencement.

The security measures were put in place at the 2004 winter commencement to end the long-standing ritual of throwing tortillas during the ceremony.

UA administrators said the ritual had become disruptive over the last few years and sought new measures to prevent graduating students as well as their guests from bringing in tortillas and other disruptive items.

Lori Goldman, who chairs the CPC, said the security measures used during winter commencement helped reign in disrespectful behavior.

"Everyone was pleased with the level of respect at the winter commencement," Goldman said.

Goldman said the spring commencement is still in the planning stages but expects the ceremony to be similar to winter commencement.

Alistair Chapman, president of Associated Students of the University of Arizona, agreed the winter commencement went well.

"It was an outstanding success, a dramatic improvement," Chapman said.

Chapman said the first hour and a half went without incident, which allowed invited speakers and honored guests to address the students nonstop.

"The keynote speaker (Raul Grijavla) went uninterrupted," Chapman said.

Chapman said recent CPC meetings after winter commencement have discussed the effectiveness of the new security measures.

"We talked about what was effective and what wasn't," Chapman said.

Chapman would not rule out whether additional changes would be made and said despite regulations, students were still able to smuggle in tortillas. At security checkpoints, students were required to unzip their robes for a rudimentary inspection for contraband.

CSC, the same company that provides security at UA basketball games, will be used for commencement security.

Michael Au, a mechanical engineering sophomore, said he is in favor of commencement security guards but thinks tortillas will be thrown regardless.

"It's a good idea because it protects people from doing stupid things. One person can ruin it for everyone," Au said. "But I'm sure someone will still smuggle in tortillas."

Some students said security at commencement is a good idea, but they should be there to keep the peace and not prevent the university's tradition from happening.

"They should be there to make sure nobody brings in anything dangerous," said Amanda Neiman, a classics and art history junior. "But the tortilla throwing is our tradition. If they keep it from happening, I wouldn't support it in the future."

UA President Peter Likins, who takes CPC recommendations and makes a final decision regarding commencement policies, was unavailable for comment.