F&S helps set the stage for when students receive their diplomas and celebrate during Commencement.

The Public Functions team manages work orders to deliver and setup what is needed during the many, during the many small convocations taking place in auditoriums across campus. These include Smith Memorial Hall, Foellinger Auditorium, Lincoln Hall, the Activities & Recreation Center (ARC), and even off campus at the Virginia Theater in downtown Champaign.

“This is like the last hurrah for everybody on the public functions team for graduation and convocations,” said Paul Jensen, public functions events coordinator. “It’s all just scheduling and figuring out numbers of what we have and need. We rely heavily on all the other crafts and trades at F&S. There’s not a better place to work at, considering the support we get from them.”

The primary request is typically for delivery of chairs, re-setting those chairs after each event, and even cleaning restrooms or other public areas frequented by graduates and their friends and families. Some buildings require the use of the sound team to ensure microphones and speakers work correctly, while one from this spring held at the ARC needed a full stage built inside.

Jensen noted this period around graduation and convocations brings some change, while other parts of his work stay the same. He’s been with F&S for 11 years. For example, the ARC space has essentially replaced what was done previously at Huff Hall, where there is no air conditioning — if warm weather hits in May, the space can become uncomfortable.

“Really, the only things that change are the venues,” Jensen said. “There used to be more going around to different buildings, and receptions at different places. The graduating classes either get bigger or smaller and get moved to other places.”

Big or small, F&S will be there until the very end.