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AND IN CHARGE OF HIS EDUCATION Shalom Ogbonda finds a way to balance getting his master’s degree and playing football.

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UP STAFF Editor-in-chief Emily Bloch MANAGING EDITOR Gregory Cox

Table of Contents

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ivan Benavides

Page 4

ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mohammed F. Emran WEB EDITOR Alexis Hayward

Lesson Not Learned Are students forgetting what hurricanes can do?

By Brad Casson

business manager Wesley Wright Copy DESK CHIEF Carissa Noelle Giard

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ASSISTANT COPY DESK CHIEF Rafael Baez

Queens for a Night

NEWS EDITOR Patrick Martin

For a unique night of fun, catch FAU’s very own drag show

By Taylor Grossman

Features editor Emily Creighton SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Lynch

Page 8

SCIENCE EDITOR Andrew Fraieli

Big Man, Bigger Dreams

CONTRIBUTORS Taylor Grossman, Brad Casson

Are students forgetting what hurricanes can do?

By Ryan Lynch

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Bill Good

Page 10

ADVISERS Neil Santaniello Michael Koretzky Ilene Prusher

New Greeks on the Block

COVER Photo by Max Jackson

FAU’s Pi Kappa Phi brothers are looking to change the fraternity stereotype.

By Emily Creighton

want to join the up?

Email upressonline@gmail.com Staff meetings every Friday, 2 p.m. in the Student Union, Room 214

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Contact Jacquelyn Christie 888-897-7711 x 124 jchristie@mymediamate.com publisher FAU Student Government The opinions expressed by the UP are not necessarily those of the student body, Student Government or FAU. address 777 Glades Road Student Union, Room 214 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.297.2960

Page 15 Yik Yak

Pi Kappa Phi is making a name for itself on campus through its acceptance of diversity and dedication to the community.

Photo by Max Jackson

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Photo Section

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Are students forgetful of hurricane dangers as South Florida reaches a storm-free decade?

NOT LEARNED Story by Brad Casson Illutrations by Ivan Benavides

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University Drive

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FAU Arena

Education Building

According to the FAU website, buildings that took the hardest hit during Hurricane Wilma in 2005

University Drive

tudents are experiencing amnesia from a decade free of any major hurricanes, forgetting the amount of damage these monster storms can cause.

South Florida hasn’t experienced a category three hurricane or higher since 2005, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“I’m not really worried about a major hurricane hitting because most hurricanes seem to always just miss us,” pre-med major Melissa Ramirez said.

If Florida manages to evade another major storm this hurricane season, it will uphold a 10-year streak free from a disastrous tropical cyclone.

Sports management major Christian Correa from Greenacres, Florida, has lived in the state since early 2005. He agrees with Ramirez and doesn’t believe a major hurricane will hit this season.

However, both Correa and Ramirez say there’s always the lingering thought in the back of their minds that they may be wrong, and don’t want to rule out the possibility of a massive storm.

Tropical depression Erika was the closest to raining on Florida’s hurricane-free parade so far, but more superstorms are predicted to form in the tropics throughout September, October and November.

Wimberly Library

Science & Engineering Building College Of Arts And Letters

Should we still be worried?

FAU is close to the water and is more likely to experience stronger and more destructive winds.

The campus is minutes from the beach. FAU Stadium is prized for the ability to offer views of the crashing waves from the top bleachers, but one of the school’s top selling points could be a downside when discussing hurricane possibilities.

The state building code requires that structures within the “wind-borne debris region” on the coast must withstand winds at speeds of at least 140 mph.

Palm Beach County falls into this region, according to the county planning, zoning and building department.

The FAU Department of Emergency Management Program Assistant Ana Bastias said all of the buildings on campus meet the required building codes set by the state.

Despite the school meeting the codes, a major hurricane could still potentially have serious consequences for students attending class and living on the Boca Raton campus if a major storm were to hit, like category three hurricane Wilma did 10 years ago.

Hurricane Wilma’s destruction

In 2005, FAU suspended class and day-to-day operations for about three weeks because of Wilma, who cost the school about $7 million in damages and clean up, according to Bastias.

Wilma tore the roofs off buildings, tossed signs and trees across campus and inflicted window and ceiling damage from airborne debris.

“There is potential for a lot of damage to occur,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Caracozza said.

Caracozza said that a category three hurricane could cause considerable damage to homes and buildings.

Power would also be knocked out for an extended period of time.

“A hurricane can be very costly to lives, buildings and city infrastructure. It’s not just about FAU. A hurricane would devastate the community. It hurts everyone immensely,” said Bastias.

FAU President John Kelly has the final say in deciding whether or not an incoming superstorm is serious enough to call for a school-wide evacuation through FAU Alerts. FAU Alerts inform students and professors about the storm and evacuation through FAU email, SMS messaging, weather sirens and indoor mass notification systems, according to Bastias.

“We are constantly monitoring these storms and communicating with the national weather service,” said Bastias. “We pay close attention to the hurricane wind speeds.”

Since there are no shelters on campus, students living on campus are encouraged to go home and take shelter from the storm if evacuation is required.

Transportation to community shelters like Red Cross would be provided to students who don’t have anywhere to go by the university through Housing and Residential Life.

Correa has family in South Florida and said he would head straight home if news broke that a major hurricane was on a collision course with the state.

“I would want to be at home with my family and make sure they were OK. I would do what I could to help in any way possible,” said Correa.

When Wilma came through in 2005, professors like Kevin Petrich lost valuable learning time with students. Petrich was forced to give alternative assignments in place of his hands-on teaching style in the classroom.

“I get worried because I know there is no way that I can hope to replicate the experience in my broadcast journalism class,” said Petrich. “It really throws our schedule off.”

Petrich has witnessed his fair share of hurricanes firsthand.

“I have a sense that students and a lot of other South Floridians after 10 years have become complacent again where hurricanes are concerned. That is a concern of mine,” said Petrich The last major hurricane to hit caused $16.8 billion in damages and took five lives, according to the National Weather Service Hurricane Center. These cyclonic giants are not here to play around and have the potential to destroy everything in their path.

“I’m not really worried about a major hurricane hitting because most hurricanes seem to always just miss us.”

- Melissa Ramirez, pre-med major

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QUEENS FOR A NIGHT The fifth-annual FAU Drag Show is bigger and better than ever.

Story by Tayler Grossman Photos by Mohammed F. Emran

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The Drag Show emcee, Ge rald Seven ArroyoPrada, posing as himself (lef t) and his persona Ariel Rimm (right).

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littery, bright and dramatic are three words Emily Cohan, Florida Atlantic LGBTQA specialist used to describe the school’s upcoming drag show.

LGBTQA Resource Center’s fifth-annual Drag Show, on Sept. 25 in the Boca Raton campus’ Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium.

A DJ will greet attendees when doors open at 8 p.m., then the queens will run the show from 9 p.m. until midnight. Wielding a lineup of five professional/semi-professional level drag queens, the show will feature music, dancing and comedy.

“When you see these ladies perform, respect has to be given,” says Janelle Irons, a two-time show attendee who has been eagerly anticipating this year’s performance. “By the end of the show, everyone is having a good time, everyone is laughing, everyone is interested in the performers and want to get to know them better.”

Drag – the art of men or women dressing up as the opposite sex for the sake of performance – holds a place in the heart of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community because it is an outlet for gender expression.

“That’s really what we’re trying to get across – that gender and the way that we express and perform gender is very fluid. And the art of drag has expressed that for a really long time,” explains Cohen.

The show has come a long way since its first year in the Majestic Palm Room, where it fielded a modest crowd of 150 students.

This year, the drag show is expecting a crowd of 750 to 1,000 students and guests. It is also the first time the event will be open to the general public.

The LGBTQA Resource Center plans to attract newcomers to the show with personalities like Ariel Rimm, the show’s emcee.

Gerald Steven Arroyo-Prada, an FAU alumnus and the man behind Ariel, was inspired by his favorite Disney princess.

He’s done drag for more than five years, and as the show’s emcee, he’s in charge of the queens.

“[We] want to make sure that everyone in our audience and ... in our show feels 100 percent comfortable in being who they are, at least for one night.”

- Gerald Steve Arroyo-Prada.

Arroyo-Prada says he loves interacting with the crowd during the show. “If you don’t have confidence and personality, your emcee skills are not going to be what they need to be.”

He starts his day with a good breakfast, checks on the setup and hits the Breezeway to promote the show while in drag.

“I’ll go hand out flyers and take pictures, will make fun with the frat boys and say, ‘Hey girl,’ to the sorority girls. But whatever it may be, just interact with the student population, make sure that they understand that I am not here to bite you,” says Arroyo-Prada.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to see, OK, this is just a little taste of what is going to happen tonight,” he says. “If I can make you laugh for two seconds on that hallway, if I can make you smile, even if you don’t come to the show I’ve already changed someone’s day.”

In addition to advertising in the Breezeway, the show’s coordinators hope to draw in the masses with new acts and technical aspects.

“Before it was just a microphone and a stage or catwalk,” says Arroyo-Prada.

“We were in conference rooms with poor lighting and there [were] no theatrics to the show. But last year we were able to incorporate more all-around lighting and some props.”

Last year’s theme to the show was Greek gods and goddesses.

The theme this year is geared more towards a feeling of “Tomorrowland,” as Arroyo-Prada puts it, and will be more futuristic.

There is a deeper message of equality and acceptance within the show, as it aims to not only entertain, but to also make sure that everyone is comfortable while still having fun.

“It’s that message of equality – of being born this way – that we definitely want to make sure that everyone in our audience and everyone in our show feels 100 percent comfortable in being who they are, at least for one night,” says Arroyo-Prada.

According to Irons, the show is a safe-zone where students can be themselves and rude comments are not tolerated.

The show stresses acceptance and puts the audience in a position to reflect on the world around them.

“We get really stuck in boxes and binaries in our society,” says Cohen. “So, we tend to see things only as black and white, this way or that way, and there is no in between ... things like drag tend to blur those lines.”

She continued: “When those lines are blurred, you can really self-reflect, and try to better understand what it is you know about other people and yourself.”

The goal for the FAU Drag Show is that it continues to grow every year, with Arroyo-Prada hoping that one day it gets big enough to be performed in the FAU Stadium.

“I am not one to think of anything with a limit,” he said.

“If Disney taught me anything, it’s all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Keep going. Keep on dreaming. Be bigger, and bigger, and bigger and things will happen.”

THE EVENT:

When: Sept. 25 Where: Carol and Barry Kaye Auditorium Price: Free with an Owl Card $15 when bought in advance, $20 at the door Doors open at 8 p.m. The show is expected to start at 9 p.m.

THE QUEENS: Ariel Rimm Daizee Deluxx Monica Chanel Rianna Petrone Rubber Child

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BIG MAN, BIGGER DREAMS After earning a bachelor’s degree in three years, the Owls’ resident Englishman is on a path few of his teammates have taken.

Story by Ryan Lynch

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halom Ogbonda’s favorite NFL player is retired defensive end Osi Umenyiora, with whom he shares more than just a position on the defensive line.

“We both were born in London,” Ogbonda said “He’s Nigerian like me, he also played at a mid-major school.

He took the same path as me.”

The similarities don’t end there. Both started playing soccer before seeing a football field. Each redshirted in their freshman year and grew up in football-crazed states, with the Super Bowl champ growing up in Alabama while the redshirt junior was raised in Texas.

The one thing that separates Ogbonda from the player he looks up to is this: his pursuit of a master’s.

Ogbonda, a defensive tackle for the Owls, graduated with a BA in psychology during this past summer.

According to the NCAA, only 61 percent of FAU football players who showed up in the fall of 2007 finished their degree in six years. The national rate was 75 percent in that timeframe.

Ogbonda finished his first degree in just half that time. While working on his master’s in health administration, he is emerging as a veteran leader on the football team with two years left to play college football.

“That was my goal,” he said. “When I was redshirting, I realized I had to get a degree in three years and get my master’s before I left.”

The pursuit of a second degree is not the only thing that makes the Englishman with a slight accent different from his teammates. Born in the Lewisham area of London, Ogbonda became a first-generation citizen in England after his parents, Esther and Stanley, emigrated from their native Nigeria to continue their higher education in the U.K. As a child, Ogbonda was more likely to be found playing soccer than American football. He spent much of his free time on the pitch while rooting for his favorite professional team, Fulham FC. “Yeah, I was a huge soccer fan,” Ogbonda reminisced. “I was devoted. That was all I played over there. I tried rugby for two years, but soccer was my sport.”

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Photo by Max Jackson

“I understand the importance of academics, but I’ve always loved sports and wanted to play them.

Once they saw that passion in me, they let me play.” - Shalom Ogbonda

When he was 10, Ogbonda’s family made the move to Sugar Land, Texas. Stanley’s involvement with the Christian ministry was a major reason the family chose to move, as he was opening a branch of the Triumphant Church International in the Lone Star State.

With the crossing of the Atlantic came an introduction to a very new culture in a very different place.

“Some things were the same,” Ogbonda reflected.

“But the culture is different. For example, I listen to country music. [I] Didn’t really do that in London. It’s there, you can listen to it, but it’s not like it is in Texas.

A lot has changed, just being in the culture through high school.”

Shalom’s first introduction to football was watching games on television and playing Madden back in London. But starting football later than his peers was a challenge for a newcomer in a football-mad state.

Ogbonda said at first his parents were all about academics, and skeptical of him playing football. “I understand the importance of academics, but I’ve always loved sports and wanted to play them,” he said.

“Once they saw that passion in me, they let me play.”

Putting much of his initial focus into soccer while he was in America, Ogbonda started to play football in middle school as a kicker and lineman on the school’s B team. As a freshman at Kempner High School, his focus shifted towards the gridiron.

“It wasn’t a totally new concept to me,” he said. “But at the same time when you don’t play something, it’s going to be new. I didn’t have the instincts for the game, because I never played before.”

Ogbonda worked hard, learning the nuances of the game in four years with Kempner, while becoming a well-rounded individual. He played soccer, got involved with both the criminal justice club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a group he still visits when he’s home.

By graduation, Ogbonda had solidified himself as a valuable college prospect. As a senior he was placed on the all-district and all-Houston teams over guys who had been playing football their whole lives.

“I always knew Shalom had the potential to be a good football player. However, the British accent did throw me off a little,” Shalom’s former high school football

coach Darrin Andrus joked. “He has those long arms and big frame and always worked hard in the weight room. Once he learned technique and how to use his body, he developed into the type of player that college coaches like.”

Coaches looked to pick up his raw athletic ability for their program. But Ogbonda ended up choosing Florida Atlantic for several reasons, including the weather and the Owls’ status as a small program.

Shalom as a young soccer player.

Photo courtesy of Shalom Ogbonda

“I liked the underdog character of FAU,” Ogbonda said. “I liked the idea of building something, and I believe we’re on the verge of it happening real soon.”

Trusting in his religious beliefs, Ogbonda knew he would be making the trip to South Florida.

“There were a lot of factors that helped make that choice. Coach Allen has the same type of beliefs as I have. When I saw that in him as a recruiter, I knew he would help me develop as both a man as well as a football player,” Ogbonda said.

During his first three years in Boca, Ogbonda took no fewer than 16 credits per semester and summer classes. Having to balance his football responsibilities and schooling, he used the support network around him to learn how to succeed.

“I’m going to put it this way: I’m not the smartest guy out there,” Ogbonda admitted. “It’s not really by myself that I’m able to do it. I go back to faith, I believe God helped me achieve that goal. But you also have to thank other people, like the coaches, for staying on top of me.”

His success also meant making sacrifices and taking accountability for himself and his limited time, making a list of tips so he could manage his time accordingly.

“It started with simple stuff,” Ogbonda said. “If you’re going out, make sure you do your homework before you leave. Finding a group of people you can study with, finding someone you can depend on to help you study and makes sure you get the material down.

That’s what a lot of people mess up, they don’t have anyone staying on top of them.”

Ogbonda’s faith has also helped him stay disciplined and keep himself out of trouble. “Faith is huge,” he said. “All the decisions I make center around my beliefs. That’s what keeps me going, that’s what keeps me out of trouble. Without that, anything goes.”

Besides his teammates and coaches, Shalom has plenty of family support behind him. His two older sisters and older brother hold degrees in medicine, fashion and law, respectively. Much of his extended family also lives in the states, graduating from institutions including Ohio State, Miami University of Ohio and Georgia Tech.

When he finds spare time, Ogbonda is involved with the psychology club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, loves to find good food and plays a ton of FIFA. “I don’t believe anyone can beat me, that’s very rare,” Ogbonda said. “Jaquez [Johnson] is one of the few guys who can challenge me.”

Following in the path of his father, who manages an elderly care service in Texas, Ogbonda hopes to work his way into a hospital director position after graduating. But until he gets to that point, he feels there is some work to do.

“Ultimately,” Ogbonda said, “I would like to do that. I still have med school on my mind, but all of that is up in the air. Right now I’m just focusing on football and my master’s.”

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The founding members of Pi Kappa Phi’s Kappa Delta chapter at their chartering event in April.

Photo by Max Jackson

NEW GREEKS ON THE BLOCK Recently chartered fraternity Pi Kappa Phi is making a name for itself on campus with its acceptance of diversity.

Story by Emily Creighton

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uilt on the concept of a “Nu Phi,” meaning “non-fraternity,” FAU’s Pi Kappa Phi brothers continue to embrace this philosophy.

The founding fathers “didn’t quite fit the classic ‘frat boy’ stereotype,” sophomore political science major and chapter founder Seamus Maloney said. “It was, and is, a group of independent men with different interests, ideas, personalities and backgrounds, rather than being full of guys who joined a fraternity because of what they had seen in TV or movies.”

They chartered at Florida Atlantic in April 2015, becoming a nationally recognized chapter and the most recently initiated fraternity at FAU under the Interfraternity Council.

The Kappa Delta chapter prides itself on its attempts to break the mold of the stereotypical fraternity by welcoming brothers of all backgrounds – notably those who are gay or disabled – and working towards their national philanthropy effort.

“It is great to see Pi Kappa Phi become a chartered fraternity,” according to an email sent from the IFC. “The mission of changing the fraternity stereotype is a great concept, because it allows students who are discouraged by stereotyped fraternities to experience Greek life and see what it is really about.”

Campus Pride, a website dedicated to covering LGBTQA culture in college, listed Pi Kappa Phi as a fraternity that is “taking the lead through policy

and practice” as part of their Lambda 10 Project – a program that found Greek life organizations that are accepting of the LGBTQA community.

“Here, people of all races, religions, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, HIV statuses and other protected classes contribute to the collective achievements of our nation and our universities,” the Pi Kappa Phi website states.

It took a year for the Kappa Delta chapter to charter, going through two presidents before landing on Evan Camejo.

Camejo said, “Our biggest difficulty has been staying cohesive and motivated to continue; we’ve been through a lot of adverse situations but have finally come out on top.”

Now, the brothers are set on embracing the diverse young men it brings together, and sharing their philosophy of acceptance and service around campus.

This includes accepting brothers who are a part of the LGBTQA community – something that is seen among Greek life more often.

FAU alumnus and member of Sigma Alpha Mu Terrence Hood came out to his brothers as gay in 2007 and received nothing but support. And while he believes the acceptance of diverse members has become more “mainstream” over the years, he notes that there are still “barriers in the community.”

“We like to think that we are ahead of the curve by

having different kinds of men in our fraternity,” said current president Josh Shorey. “In 10 to 15 years from now, we can look back and be proud that we were one of the first organizations accepting those of different sexual orientations.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon recently received praise as its National Board of Directors opened membership to those who identify as transgender, according to their December 2014 meeting.

Member of Pi Kappa Phi and Boca Raton Campus Student Governor Chris Ferreira said, “That’s one of the ways we bring a different thing to the table and allow people to kind of be more inclusive and learn about things from other people’s perspectives.”

Maloney added, “When you exclude certain types of people, you are losing out on that much more ideas, creativity, knowledge, experience and a myriad of other qualities that can help the fraternity excel.”

Like most fraternities, philanthropy is a big part of being a Pi Kappa Phi member.

“We set ourselves apart from the rest in how we give back to the community. We don’t just write a check, we aim to create relationships with those we serve,” said Camejo, who served as a crew member in the fraternity’s national philanthropy, the Ability Experience’s 2015 Journey of Hope – a cross-country bike trip that includes stops to raise awareness for those with disabilities.

The group has also worked with other special needs organizations like ScentsAbilities – a candle company that helps those with special needs learn skills to be independent. They also worked with Best Buddies – a nonprofit organization that brings volunteers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities together.

Throughout the year, the fraternity has participated in events like “Pie a Pi Kapp,” “Spread the Word” – which promotes banning the use of “the ‘R’ word” toward those with mental disabilities, “The Pedal Experience” – where brothers biked in place to raise money – and have also done push-ups for donations.

According to FAU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life Community Reports, Pi Kappa Phi raised $300 in spring 2014 and $384.77 in fall 2014. Camejo’s efforts for the Journey of Hope collected $1,868.

As a whole, the IFC at FAU raised over $45,000 in philanthropic donations in the fall of 2014.

Along with these efforts, they also participate in the disability dinner hosted by the Office for Students with Disabilities.

Aaron Sherman, a junior public management major and director of Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement said, “You know you’re raising money for a good cause and you know it’s going to a good cause because you see the results.”

The brothers of the Pi Kappa Phi Kappa Delta chapter are proud of their accomplishment and have gained credibility among the FAU Greek community.

Thomas De Maio, president of FAU’s Delta Tau Delta chapter, spoke well of the fraternity. “I think the gentlemen of Pi Kappa Phi are really nice guys and are making a good name for themselves on campus.

It’s never easy starting up a fraternity, it takes a lot of

dedication and leadership. I have a lot of respect for the Pi Kapps on campus.”

Sherman said, “We all put blood, sweat and tears into this.”

He continued, “It is definitely a once in a lifetime thing saying, ‘I started this chapter. I’m one of the original people from this chapter.’ It’s cool to say and it’s cool being a part of this lifelong brotherhood.”

Camejo hopes that the group stays unified and “challenge the process.”

“There are too many times where fraternities and sororities fall into a stereotype, I would love to look back and say we changed those views.”

“In 10 to 15 years from now, we can look back and be proud that we were one of the first organizations accepting those of different sexual orientations.”

- Josh Storey, current Pi Kappa Phi president

Daniel Carpio (left) and his boyfriend at the chapter’s chartering event. Photo by Max Jackson

Former Pi Kappa Phi President Evan Camejo at a stop in Vandalia, Illinois during the 2015 Journey of Hope where he spent over four hours visiting with employees of FAYCO Enterprises,a company that helps integrate those with disabilities into the community.

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Photo Brief

At their biggest home game in FAU history, the Owls honored veterans with a flag that covered the entire field. The flag is 150 feet by 300 feet and approximately 1,500 pounds, according to the company that rents them, 50 Star Productions.

At least 120 volunteers are required to hold the flag.

Photo by Max Jackson

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TROUBLE ON YIK YAK Story by Ryan Lynch Illustration by Ivan Benavides

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ik Yak usually serves as distraction from class, a place to crack a joke or a way to vent without revealing your identity for most of the student body. But on September 8, the app was used in a way the creators didn’t intend During the evening, a student Yakked that he had heard about a shooting threat on the Breezeway from a friend who texted him a picture of a gun. Concerned by the post, multiple students brought it to the attention of FAU Police. After launching an Investigation into the threat, the student who posted called and turned himself in within a few hours after the Yak was made.

While no person danger during the threat, the knowledge that an anonymous person could use the app to spread fear affected campus the next day. There was a heightened police presence, and the Breezeway had less traffic than usual.

Threats of a gunman have happened here before, including in 2012 when an armed gunman robbed a student at the arts and letters building. But the events of that Tuesday brought something to light not yet seen at campus, that the anonymous service could be taken advantage of The following stories touch on a few different parts of the threat, from the poster’s side of the story (Page 17) to Yik Yak’s private policy (Page 18).

Table of Contents Page 16 Pulse Of The Breezeway What did students have to say about the handling of the threat?

By Ryan Lynch

Page 17 Anonymous No More Emeil Stewart was just beginning his freshman year as a Neurobiology student at FAU, but a post to Yik Yak changed all that.

Hear his side of the Yik Yak threat.

By Ryan Lynch

Page 18 Safety on the Yak Your Yaks aren’t as secret as you think. Find out how Yik Yak prevents threats on its app.

By Gregory Cox

ak Yik Y

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YIK YAK SHOOTING THREAT:

Students React On Social Media The Threat Happened On Social Media — So Did Students’ Reactions.

Story by Ryan Lynch Photo by Max Jackson

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ension is still high within the student body after a Florida Atlantic student was held in custody because of a shooting threat he was accused of posting on Yik Yak Tuesday night.

Despite the FAU police department’s tweet announcing that, some students didn’t relax after hearing the news.

Many posted about the additional campus officers in the Breezeway, the area the student said he would target in his post. One disappointed student on Yik Yak said “Special Announcement: Regarding the shooting threat FAU assigned one cop in the breezeway to safeguard us.”

Another said “Everybody be (sic) eying each other in the breezeway today.”

Over Twitter, many of the students showed their relief that the shooter was found. A few students’ tweets became evidence for officers on the case, as they helped bring the threats to the department’s attention as well as provided screenshots of the post.

Check out some of the student reactions below:

Apparently there was a threat posted on Yik Yak earlier this evening about shooting up FAU tomorrow. Could be a “joke” but people are crazy - Rev. Eric Dunn (@ericvdunn) Great job by FAU Police! Way to act quickly fellas.

- Alberto Jordat Jr. (@ajordat) Stay safe, #FAU fam... Thank you, @FAUPD for keeping us safe!

- Teresa (@Tessa_1230) A FAU student posted on yik yak that he would shoot up the school and the police arrested him the same day what an idiot - D.Zimero (@Denis_Bossman5)

The threats of one student on Yik-Yak is causing increased police presence at FAU.

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ANONYMOUS NO MORE Emeil Stewart was your average freshman at FAU, until his post caused a threat that changed his life.

Story by Ryan Lynch

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he UP reached out to now-suspended student Emeil Stewart regarding his situation Wednesday evening after police held a news conference and released the police report on the Yik Yak threat case.

“I didn’t want to start the uproar I did,” said Stewart about the post he made on Yik Yak, Tuesday evening.

Stewart was suspended Tuesday night and is no longer attending the school.

His interim suspension bans him from stepping foot onto any FAU campus, according to the FAU police report.

The former freshman neuroscience student said he made the post after skateboarding past two students, overhearing them talking about shooting up the Breezeway earlier in the day.

“I actually overheard the threat and didn’t want to go to the police because I was unsure, so I indirectly lied on Yik Yak and said ‘a friend texted it’ to know [that] people would report it even if it isn’t 100 percent sure,” explained Stewart.

“However I did not want to go to the police and risk them going crazy so my mistake was posting it on yak

when I shouldn’t have,” he said. “So yes I deserve to be kicked off campus but to call me a killer when I just wanted to be safe, now I’m mad.”

Stewart said he deleted the initial yak 30 seconds after posting it. “They might have been joking and I was on the [longboard],” Stewart said. “So I wasn’t sure.”

Stewart was accused with posting suspicious messages on Yik Yak and later came forward to the police at about 9:18 p.m., the report states.

“They never arrested me, they couldn’t.” Stewart told the UP. “I didn’t make a threat, If I did they would have arrested [me] on [the] spot.”

Stewart says his suspension from campus probably alleviated fears of a shooting threat.

“The school probably had to get rid of the unease,” he said “And since I didn’t know who it was…. someone had to go. Once the media got involved it was over for me.”

King said in the news conference they are currently working to help Stewart get home to Port Charlotte, Florida.

Photo taken from Emeil Stewart’s Facebook. (top) Screenshot of Emeil Stewart’s post on Yik Yak. (right) 9.15.2015 University Press 17

SAFETY ON THE YAK You might think that posting on Yik Yak is anonymous, but the company has policies to prevent danger and protect users from threats.

Story by Gregory Cox Illustration by Ivan Benavides

18 9.15.2015 University Press

Y

ik Yak, the mobile social media app that allows users to share thoughts privately, gained much of its popularity based on the anonymity of

it all.

The privacy agreement that users agree to, but usually neglect to read, means it’s really not private at all.

Yik Yak’s privacy policy says the app “may disclose the information in order to comply with the law, a judicial proceeding, court order, subpoena or other legal process.”

This means that Yik Yak can share your IP address, location information, or any other information that you provide them to the police or other figures of authority, according to the policy.

The legal policy also states that “Yik Yak may disclose user account information to law enforcement – without a subpoena, court order, or search warrant – in response to a valid emergency.” Yik Yak evaluates the severity of an emergency on a case-by-case basis.

What does this mean for the average user? Nothing if they keep Yakking about what is happening in biology professor Matthew Lovelace’s class, or about their dating life.

But if someone is threatening to shoot up a school, like the incident that happened last night, YikYak personnel may alert the authorities.

“As soon as I became aware of the situation I immediately reached out to the police department,” said Brandon Sirota, an FAU film and multimedia major and regional manager for YikYak. ”We are proud that it was resolved within 2 hours.”

People on Twitter praised the campus police department for being able to act so quickly.

And don’t think that deleting a threatening Yak will protect you.

“You can delete content you have posted (including replies). Content you delete will be hidden from other users,” Yik Yak’s policy reads. “However, Yik Yak may maintain a copy of such content in our records.”

So as long as users don’t threaten to shoot anyone, or try to sell drugs, they shouldn’t have any problems. The UP is unsure of the legalities of begging for drugs.

PHOTO SECTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bonfire

up of 1,500 wood pallets P. 20 Made topped by the words “Beat

Miami,” the bonfire kicked off the weekend’s festivities.

P. 21

Concert

Artikal Sound System and Hollywood Undead played this year’s bonfire concert, giving the crowd a chance to rock out.

Tailgate

a new location in lot five, P. 22 With students and fans made sure to start the season tailgating in style.

vs. Miami

football hosted a crowd of P. 23 FAU over 30,000 people at their game versus the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 11.

Photo by Mohammed F. Emran

9.15.2015 University Press 19

Bonfire

Owsley watches over the bonfire prior to the Hollywood Undead concert. Photo by Max Jackson.

Head football coach Charlie Partridge speaks at the bonfire rally while joined by members of the football team. Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

Spectators participated in numerous “dance offs” throughout the evening. Photo by Max Jackson.

Master of ceremonies Aaron Shapiro and assistant men’s basketball coach Eric Snow address the crowd with the basketball team at the bonfire. Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

20 9.15.2015 University Press

Concert

The eighth annual fall bonfire had an attendance of approximately 1,500 and a bill of $47,500, primarily for Hollywood Undead. Photo by Max Jackson.

ARTIKaL Sound System, consisting of FAU alumni, opens for Hollywood Undead on September 10th 2015 Bonfire concert. Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

Vocalist Danny Rose of Hollywood Undead raps at the Fall Bonfire concert.

Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

Hollywood Undead vocalist Johnny 3 Tears performs a full set on Thursday Sept. 10.

Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

9.15.2015 University Press 21

Tailgate

Fans tailgate in parking lot 5 prior to the game starting at 8 p.m. With a crowd of over 30,000, the tailgate was the biggest in FAU history.

Photo by Max Jackson.

(L to R) Redshirt sophomore cornerback Ronnie Scott, redshirt defensive lineman Brandin Bryant, redshirt senior Jaquez Johnson and junior running back Jay Warren head into the stadium during the Owl Walk at Friday’s tailgate.

Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

Florida Atlantic’s Marching Owls and Miami’s Frost Band of the Hour perform outside FAU Stadium before the start of the game on September 11.

Photo by Max Jackson.

Students came out in droves to attend the game on Friday, September 11 donned in FAU apparel. Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

22 9.15.2015 University Press

FAU vs. Miami Students cheer on the Owls from a full student section. This was the first game that had the student section on the north end of the field, directly across from the video board. Photo by Max Jackson.

The Owls come out of the tunnel before Friday’s game to face the University of Miami on September 11, 2015. The final score was 44-20 for the Hurricanes.

Photo by Mohammed F. Emran.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Driskel evades a Hurricanes defender during his first game playing as an Owl. Driskel threw for 155 yards and a touchdown while filling in for injured starting quarterback Jaquez Johnson. Photo by Max Jackson.

Sophomore tight end Nate Terry celebrates after scoring in the first quarter of the Miami game. The score was the first passing touchdown of redshirt freshman Jason Driskel’s career. Photo by Max Jackson.

9.15.2015 University Press 23

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