BOSTON (Reuters) - Northeastern University in Boston dropped the traditional handshake for graduating students accepting diplomas, while Cisco Junior College in Texas canceled its commencement ceremonies altogether.

Coast to coast, fears of the H1N1 flu strain are altering American campus life in both subtle and dramatic ways after a dozen universities reported probable or confirmed cases of the virus that has killed up to 176 people in Mexico and one in the United States.

School officials say there is good reason for their concern -- from the hectic travel schedules of academics who could transport the swine flu virus, to the ever-present risk in densely populated residence halls of flu spreading like wildfire.

In Boston, when about 20,000 people gathered on Friday for Northeastern's graduation events, the school did not take any chances. About 100 bottles of hand sanitizer were available to the crowd and the officials handing out diplomas were not shaking hands -- a traditional graduation gesture.

Michael Armini, a university spokesman, said Northeastern took its cue from recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. "We followed their guidance to take steps to minimize contact," he said.

Cisco Junior College canceled a graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday and instead plans to mail diplomas to graduates.

"We understand that many will be disappointed by our decision," school President Colleen Smith said in a memo to students posted on the college's website.

"However, we believe that it is more important to protect our students, employees and families than to proceed with graduation ceremonies at this time."

Plenty of schools shut temporarily or took other steps, including Harvard's School of Dental Medicine in Boston, which canceled classes until at least Wednesday after two students were identified as probable cases and seven others showed flu-like symptoms.

"Every effort is being made to prevent the spread of infection and to care for the affected students," Harvard said in a statement.

Western Oregon University closed its campus until Monday after tests on a sick student were positive for the H1N1 strain of influenza. Students living off campus were told to stay away and all faculty and staff to stay home.

Oakland University north of Detroit and Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, said students graduating on Saturday would not get the customary handshake.