BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University canceled its graduation ceremony Tuesday after law enforcement received a credible threat to the school, officials said.
The university's student union building in Boca Raton was evacuated for several hours because of the threat. The graduation ceremony was set for 5 p.m.
FAU police Chief Sean Brammer said that, just after 4 p.m., a staff member found a small, handwritten Post-it note on a mirror in the women's bathroom.
"It was a threat specific towards our graduation, and at that point in time we made the decision to go ahead and cancel our graduation," Brammer said.
Police searched the student union building and the surrounding area, but eventually gave the all-clear.
Tuesday's commencement ceremony was for more than 450 students in the colleges of nursing, medicine and science.
On social media, people posted pictures of students in caps and gowns leaving the student union building.
"FAU canceled 5 p.m. graduation ceremony due to a serious threat on campus. Didn't get to walk across the stage, but at least I’m safe!" student Emilio Alta said on Twitter.
University President John Kelly apologized for the inconvenience but said safety was the top priority.
"I feel terrible for our students," Kelly said. "They were denied an opportunity to go through a ceremony that was kind of a crowning achievement ceremony in life, and we'll make amends in some way."