BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic University's commencement ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday was canceled and the Student Union was evacuated after the school received what law enforcement considered a credible threat.
"We’re going to investigate it to the fullest and when we do find that person we’re going to charge them with whatever we can," FAU Police Chief Sean Brammer said.
An FAU source tells WPTV that right as the ceremony was about to start, a note was found in a women's bathroom stuck to the mirror that contained a threat in reference to the graduation ceremony.
Chief Brammer would not specify what type of threat was issued, saying only that it was specific to the commencement. He said a university staff member found the note around 4:15 p.m. in the woman's bathroom in the business building on campus.
"I don’t want to hurt the investigation or the integrity of the investigation by revealing the contents of the note," Chief Brammer said.
The school is considering different options for rescheduling the commencement ceremony, but have not announced their intentions yet.
"Our number one goal is to keep everyone here at FAU safe," Chief Brammer said.
"It’s not about popularity. it’s about doing the right thing for safety," FAU President John Kelly said.
FAU Assistant Vice President Joshua D. Glanzer said "There were 462 students scheduled to participate in the ceremony. Every effort will be made to give these students the recognition they deserve."
The threat affected the third graduation ceremony of the day.
"I feel terrible for our students," Kelly said. "They were denied the opportunity to go through a ceremony that was kind of a crowning achievement ceremony in life and we’ll make amends in some way for those students whether it be other graduation ceremonies or even individual things. We’ll work with each family and each student to make sure they’re not denied the opportunity to get their college diploma in their hands."
This is a breaking news story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
FAU ALERT (1): Today’s 5 p.m. commencement ceremony is canceled. The Student Union is being evacuated due to what law enforcement considers a credible threat.
— Florida Atlantic (@FloridaAtlantic) August 7, 2018