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The Florida Atlantic University commencement ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 7 has been canceled. The university sent out an alert on Tuesday afternoon informing students of the news, saying that the decision was made after law enforcement determined there was a “credible threat.”
The Student Union has also been evacuated.
Family members of those who were set to receive diplomas were sitting in the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium waiting for the ceremony to begin when they were told to evacuate.
Graduate Mandy McDaniel was waiting to file into the auditorium for the FAU ceremony when an administrator said over mic that the building was being evacuated. They said they were bringing in “bomb dogs.” “My family (already seated) had to leave from the back exit,” she said.”
— Lulu Ramadan 🌅 (@luluramadan) August 7, 2018
“Today’s 5 p.m. commencement ceremony is canceled. The Student Union is being evacuated due to what law enforcement considers a credible threat,” a tweet from the university said. “The investigation of FAU’s Student Union continues. Updates will follow as information is 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
“The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority. We understand how disappointed our students must be that today’s final commencement ceremony was canceled. We will try to ensure that they receive the recognition they deserve,” FAU President John Kelly said in a statement.
According to local NBC affiliate WPTV, a Florida Atlantic spokesperson said that “a note threatening to shoot the graduation was found in a bathroom right before the ceremony was to begin.” Andrew Ruiz of WPTV shared video from the ceremony that showed students in their caps and gowns evacuating the area.
FAU graduation bring evacuated. The 5 p.m. commencement ceremony is canceled. The Student Union is being evacuated due to what law enforcement considers a credible threat. @wptv pic.twitter.com/E5oIph7zvk
— Andrew Ruiz (@AndrewRuiz__) August 7, 2018
FAU spokesman Joshua Glanzer added that the university will reschedule the ceremony. There is no plan for when the ceremony will resume, but it is unlikely to happen today.
Boca Raton Police has said, “Please refer all inquiries to Florida Atlantic.” The FAU Police Department has yet to comment on the situation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmLucaKDX88/?hl=en&taken-by=floridaatlantic
Where is FAU’s Campus?
Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, Florida. There is a current undergraduate enrollment of 24,228 students.
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