| Thursday, May 14, 2026 |
| UM has champagne problems from graduation photo trends | |
 | A growing trend in graduation photos has created new challenges for the University of Mississippi Department of Facilities Management. When champagne bottles have stopped spraying, they leave behind damage that the department must repair. Graduates can be spotted across campus taking photos with friends, family, confetti and champagne during graduation season. Mike Dunnavant, the director of facilities services, has concerns about staining on campus signs and popular locations caused by popping champagne bottles for photoshoots. "They go to the Lyceum, and they go to the Grove sign and they're ... popping champagne bottles," Dunnavant said. "The champagne is staining the concrete, and we can't get it clean." The issue extends beyond the University of Mississippi campus. Dunnavant said facilities leaders across the Southeastern Conference have raised similar concerns. "That topic came up from three or four other campuses ... asking each other if they were having that same problem," Dunnavant said. "None of the other schools had a solution for it either." Other universities have also reported issues with non-biodegradable celebration materials like polyester (mylar) confetti. |
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