Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic University , also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic , is a public university located in with six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach , Davie , Fort Lauderdale , Jupiter , Port St . Lucie , and in Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution . Florida Atlantic serves a seven - county region that has a populace of more than three million people and spans more than 100 miles ( 160 km ) of Florida ' s eastern coastline . Florida Atlantic opened in 1964 as the first public university in southeast Florida and the first university in the nation to offer only upper - division and graduate level courses . Although initial enrollment was only 867 students , this number increased in 1984 when the university admitted its first lower - division undergraduate students . As of 2011 , enrollment has grown to over 29 , 000 students representing 140 countries , 50 states and the District of Columbia . Since its inception , Florida Atlantic has awarded more than 110 , 000 degrees to nearly 105 , 000 alumni worldwide . In recent years Florida Atlantic has undertaken an effort to increase its academic and research standings while also evolving into a more traditional university . The university has raised admissions standards , increased research funding , built new facilities , and established notable partnerships with major research institutions . The efforts have resulted in not only an increase in the university ' s academic profile , but also the elevation of the football team to Division I competition status , the on - campus GEO Group Stadium , more on - campus housing , and the establishment of its own College of Medicine in 2010 . History . Establishment . On July 15 , 1961 , to meet the burgeoning educational demands of South Florida , the state legislature passed an act authorizing the establishment of a new university in the City of Boca Raton . Florida Atlantic University was built on a 1940s - era army airbase in Boca Raton . During World War II , the airfield served as the Army Air Corps ' sole radar training facility . The base was built on the existing Boca Raton Airport and on 5 , 860 acres ( 23 . 7 km² ) of adjacent land . A majority of the land was acquired from Japanese - American farmers from the failing Yamato Colony . The land was seized through eminent domain , leaving many Japanese - Americans little recourse in the early days of World War II . The Boca Raton airbase was used for radar training , anti - submarine patrols along the coast , and as a stop - over point for planes being ferried to Africa and Europe via South America . It had a troop strength of 16 , 000 men , with approximately 1 , 200 civilian workers . The airfield was composed of four runways , each stretching 5 , 200 feet ( 1 . 58 km ) long , set in a triangle shape , with one runway bisecting the triangle . These runways are still visible on the Boca Campus today and are mainly used for parking . Over the course of the war , the airfield would grow to encompass more than 800 buildings serving approximately 100 , 000 airmen , including those who were aboard the " Enola Gay " when it dropped a nuclear weapon on Hiroshima . As the war drew to a close Boca Raton Army Airfield saw a steady decline in use . By the end of 1945 , about only 100 planes were stationed at the airbase . By early 1947 , the military decided to transfer future radar training operations to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi . This decision was finalized when , on September 17 , 1947 , the Fort Lauderdale Hurricane struck South Florida . According to historian Donald Curl , " the 1947 storm caused extensive damage to the hurriedly built frame structures of the base and was responsible for widespread flooding . " These conditions led the Air Force to abandon the site earlier than originally planned . The departure of the air force in 1947 would leave Boca Raton Army Airfield essentially abandoned . Historian Roger Miller , who visited the airfield during this period , describes the airbase as having " a small operations office to check into and out of , a deteriorating and empty mess hall , and about twenty - odd other wooden buildings of World War II vintage . " Expansion and growth . Florida Atlantic University opened on September 14 , 1964 , with an initial student body of 867 students in five colleges . The first degree awarded was an honorary doctorate given to President Lyndon B . Johnson on October 25 , 1964 at the dedication and opening of the university . At the time of its opening , Florida Atlantic ' s faculty numbered 120 out of a total of 350 employees . On - campus housing for students was first added in September 1965 , when Algonquin Hall opened . Florida Atlantic ' s history is one of continuing expansion as the university ' s service population has grown . The university originally served only upper - division and graduate level students , because Florida intended the institution " to complement the state ' s community college system , accepting students who had earned their associate degrees from those institutions . " Florida Atlantic began its expansion beyond a one - campus university in 1971 , when it opened its Commercial Boulevard campus in Fort Lauderdale . Due to a rapidly expanding population in South Florida , in 1984 Florida Atlantic took another major step by opening its doors to lower - division undergraduate students . The following year , the university added its third campus , in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Las Olas Boulevard . Recent history . In 1989 , the Florida Legislature recognized demands for higher education in South Florida by designating Florida Atlantic as the lead state university serving Broward County . To fill this role , the university would establish a campus in Dania Beach in 1997 and another campus in the City of Davie in western Broward County in 1990 . Florida Atlantic later purchased 50 acres ( 0 . 2 km² ) of land in Port St . Lucie in 1994 to establish a campus on the Treasure Coast . This would be the institution ' s fifth campus . The university continued its expansion in 1999 when it opened its Jupiter Campus , named for the late John D . MacArthur . This campus houses the university ' s honors college . Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami ' s Miller School of Medicine established a medical training program within the Charles E . Schmidt College of Biomedical Science in 2004 . Plans originally called for the construction of a new teaching hospital in coordination with Boca Raton Community Hospital on the main campus . Following successive budgets deficits in 2007 , the hospital delayed its participation indefinitely . However , Florida Atlantic later established its own College of Medicine in 2010 . The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution ( HBOI ) also joined the university in 2007 , creating Florida Atlantic ' s seventh campus . To bring HBOI into the university family the Florida Legislature allocated $ 44 million to Florida Atlantic to acquire the institution . Florida Atlantic has changed dramatically since its opening in 1964 . As of 2010 , there are approximately 28 , 000 students attending classes on seven campuses spread across 120 miles ( 193 km ) . The university consists of ten colleges and employs more than 3 , 200 faculty and staff . The university ' s endowment decreased from $ 182 million in June 2008 to $ 142 million in January 2009 due to a worsening economy . Since its founding , the university has been led by six presidents . The university ' s current president is Dr . Mary Jane Saunders . Saunders was named president on March 3 , 2010 , following the resignation of Frank Brogan . Brogan , a former Lieutenant Governor of Florida , left the university in late 2009 to become Chancellor of the State University System of Florida . The past university presidents are Frank T . Brogan , Dr . Anthony J . Catanese , Dr . Helen Popovich , Dr . Glenwood Creech , and Dr . Kenneth Rast Williams . Academics . Profile . The university ' s student body consists of 23 , 613 undergraduates , 4 , 245 graduate and professional students , 64 medical students , and 1 , 368 unclassified students . The undergraduate student body contains 44 % ethnic minorities and includes students from 140 countries , 49 states , and the District of Columbia . For the undergraduate class of 2012 , the acceptance rate was 35 % for first - time - in - college students . The university has ten colleges which altogether offer over 147 different bachelor ' s , master ' s and doctoral degree programs : the Charles E . Schmidt College of Science , Christine E . Lynn College of Nursing , College for Design and Social Inquiry , College of Business , College of Education , College of Engineering and Computer Science , Dorothy F . Schmidt College of Arts and Letters , Harriet L . Wilkes Honors College , Charles E . Schmidt College of Medicine and the Graduate College . The university offers two honors options : the Harriet L . Wilkes Honors College and a University Scholars Program . The Wilkes Honors College is located on the John D . MacArthur campus in Jupiter , Florida . It offers a liberal arts education in the platform of a public university , yet is comparable to a private liberal arts college . The Boca Raton campus houses the University Scholars Program , which offers special honors seminars , forums , courses , and advanced course substitution for freshmen . As of fall 2009 , a minimum GPA of 2 . 6 and a minimum SAT score of 1390 or a composite score of 20 on the ACT are required for admission . Following a surge in the university ' s popularity , in early 2009 the university created its first wait - list for undergraduate enrollment . After February 15 , 2009 applicants for admission in the 2009 – 2010 academic year were required to have a 3 . 5 GPA or an SAT score of 1600 ( out of 2 , 400 total ) to be considered . For the 2011 – 2012 academic year , the average high school GPA for an entering freshman was 3 . 4 , with a score of 1074 on the SAT , and a 23 on the ACT . The average class size for undergraduates is 33 students , and for graduate classes , 12 students . The student - to - faculty ratio is 20 : 1 . The top three undergraduate majors by enrollment are elementary education , accounting , and management , respectively . The top three graduate majors by enrollment are business administration , nursing , and educational leadership . The average age for first - year students is 18 ; however , the average age for all undergraduates is 24 . The average age for graduate students is 33 . The average 4 - year graduation rate for first - time , non - transfer students is 14 % . The 6 - year graduation rate is 39 % . Florida Atlantic University has a " Service2scholars " initiative program , designed by the Florida Board of Governors , which helps assist veterans of the armed forces transition from active military service to academic life . FAU is a VA ( Veterans Affairs ) approved school ( Department of Veterans Affairs ; Florida Department of Veteran Affairs ) and was named as a Military Friendly School for 2013 by the G . I . Jobs magazine . FAU – Serving Our Heros The Lifelong Learning Society operates programs that serve the educational interests of more than 19 , 000 senior citizens by providing classes focusing on subjects of specific interest , and audit options for regular university classes . Under the university ' s Commercial Music Program , Hoot / Wisdom Recordings was created in 2002 , enabling students to work in all creative and business aspects of the music industry . This program generated music that landed a Top 10 spot on the Billboard ' s Hot R & B / Hip - Hop Singles Sales Chart during its first week of release . The university ' s two - story trading room simulator , located in the College of Business , provides hands - on financial education using 25 dual - monitor computers and can accommodate 50 people at one time . A second lab provides full audio / visual connectivity and 25 additional workstations . Florida Atlantic allows local financial businesses to use the Trading Room for training . Research . Florida Atlantic is classified by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with high research activity . The university has established notable partnerships with major research institutions such as The Scripps Research Institute , the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , and the Max Planck Society . The university is the home of two centers of excellence : The Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology and The Center for Ocean Energy Technology . These centers have been selected by Florida ' s Emerging Technology Commission to receive grants to continue and increase their operations . Florida Atlantic beat out some of Florida ' s top research universities , including the University of Florida and Florida State University , for the initial money from the state . Since receiving its startup funding , Florida Atlantic has secured additional funds from other sources , including federal and private research grants . As a result , both centers have engaged in academic and industry partnerships , combining expertise in ocean engineering , marine biotechnology , functional genomics , proteomics , and bioinformatics . Researchers , scientists , and students at the centers are designing technologies to explore the sea , harvest renewable energy , discover new medicines , and develop new therapeutics to combat agents of bioterrorism . As a result of this research , in 2007 the university and Lockheed Martin announced an exclusive licensing agreement to develop and produce a rapidly deployable and autonomous mooring buoy system for military and scientific uses . In 2010 , the United States Department of Energy designated FAU as one of three national centers for ocean energy research and development . The Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center joins centers in the Pacific Northwest ( University of Washington and Oregon State University ) and in Hawaii ( University of Hawaii ) . The Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center is undertaking research and development of technologies capable of generating renewable power from ocean currents and ocean thermal energy . The university houses both an Imaging Technology Center and a NASA Imaging Technology Space Center . Located in the College of Engineering and Computer Science , the centers specialize in digital imaging research and development for use in both government and commercial applications in the areas of medical technology , surveillance , communication s , education , inspection , scientific observation , manufacturing , visual recognition and identification , and motion picture and digital video . The Florida Atlantic Imaging Technology Center is developing a curriculum for digital imaging and processing , thereby establishing Florida Atlantic as the only university in the nation to offer this technical concentration . The NASA Imaging Technology Center is one of 12 NASA Research Partnership Centers throughout the nation which develop dual - use research and development with the participation of NASA and other related industries in the US . The center occupies two sets of laboratories and administrative offices , one on Florida Atlantic ' s main campus in Boca Raton , the other at the Fort Lauderdale campus . Florida Atlantic also operates two research and development parks , one in Deerfield Beach and one in Boca Raton . The R & D Parks provide outside research facilities for companies , which enable them to interact with the university community and its facilities , resources , and expertise . Located inside the R & D Park on the Boca Raton campus is a Technology Business Incubator . The incubator works to foster the start - up and growth of technology - based businesses associated with the university . Rankings . For 2013 , Florida Atlantic University was classified as a second - tier university by the " U . S . News & World Report ' s " rankings of " Best Colleges . " " U . S . News " ranks universities into one of two tiers , with one being the highest , based on how they compare with other colleges in a peer assessment , retention rates , student selectivity , faculty resources , financial resources , graduation rates , and the amount of alumni giving . The university was named one of the 146 " Best Southeastern Colleges " in the United States by the Princeton Review . The Review also recognized FAU ' s business program by naming the College of Business to their list of " Best 296 Business Schools " for 2009 . For 2011 , Florida Atlantic was ranked 249th in the nation by " Washington Monthly " . The magazine based its rankings on the following three criteria : " how well a university performs as an engine of social mobility ( ideally helping the poor to get rich rather than the very rich to get very , very rich ) , how well a university does in fostering scientific and humanistic research , and how well a university promotes an ethic of service to country . " The university was also ranked 28th in the United States and fourth in Florida by " The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education " magazine for awarding 738 bachelor ' s degrees to Hispanic students during the 2006 – 2007 academic year . Campus . Florida Atlantic University is a distributed university located on seven campuses spread across Palm Beach , Broward , and St . Lucie Counties . The region is home to more than three million people . The university ' s main campus is located in the City of Boca Raton in Palm Beach County . The county is also home to the John D . MacArthur Campus located in the City of Jupiter . In addition to its campuses in Palm Beach County , the university operates three campuses in the Broward County cities of Dania Beach , Davie , and Fort Lauderdale . Florida Atlantic University also operates two campuses in the St . Lucie County cities of Port St . Lucie and Fort Pierce . In addition to students who attend classes on the universities campuses , there are 1 , 612 distance learning students who conduct their studies over the internet or through other means . These students account for 6 % of the university ' s student body . Florida Atlantic is a signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education . This commits the institution to ensuring all new construction projects meet the U . S . Green Building Council ' s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) Silver standards . Palm Beach County campuses . Boca Raton . Florida Atlantic ' s main campus in Boca Raton was established on the remnants of a World War II American Army airbase in 1964 . Spanning 850 acre s ( 3 . 5 km² ) near the Atlantic Ocean , the site is located between the cities of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale . The campus was designated a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society . The owls find the campus appealing because there are few predators , due to the university ' s proximity to the Boca Raton Airport , and because the campus was originally cleared of vegetation when operating as an airbase during World War II . " The feisty bird , traditionally associated with wisdom and determination , serves as the university ' s mascot . " The Boca Raton Campus is home to a wide variety of university programs and facilities . These facilities are labs and classrooms , housing for students , a 6 , 000 - gallon shark tank for aquatic research , a movie theater , athletic and recreational facilities , and the student - run record label Hoot / Wisdom Recordings . In addition to academic and cultural programs , the campus also houses Florida Atlantic ' s Division I athletics program . The main campus serves approximately 19 , 077 students , or 70 % of the university ' s student body , offering a number of academic programs , activities , and services . Florida Atlantic has a unique private - public partnership with Living Room Theatres , Inc . ( LRT ) which established the nation ' s first and only all - digital theatre on a university campus . Operated by Living Room Theatres , Inc . , the Boca Raton campus complex includes four 50 - seat theaters and a European - style café that are used during the day by FAU ' s film study program in the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies and by night to show foreign , classical and independent film for the general public . In an effort to create a more traditional , first - choice college atmosphere on the Boca Raton Campus , Florida Atlantic is developing an " Innovation Village " that consists of new residence halls , wellness / recreation center , alumni center , restaurants , stores , parking garages , and a 30 , 000 - seat college football stadium that will be home to the Owls football team . As of summer 2011 , the university has constructed GEO Group Stadium , the Recreation and Wellness Center , the Marleen and Harold Forkas Alumni Center , and the first phase of the Innovation Village student apartments . Construction of the 1 , 000 car parking garage with ground floor retail is expected to begin in July 2012 and open in April 2013 . The construction of the stadium initially created a controversy between Florida Atlantic and the City of Boca Raton . In 2002 , the university and the city signed an agreement requiring an additional I - 95 interchange be under construction before a stadium could be built on campus . However , the new Spanish River I - 95 interchange serving the north side of FAU is scheduled to begin construction in 2014 . The Boca campus also houses a number of other institutions , including the A . D . Henderson University School , FAU High School , one of two Florida Atlantic Research Parks , and the Lifelong Learning Society . Jupiter – John D . MacArthur Campus . In addition to the Boca campus in southern Palm Beach County , Florida Atlantic operates a campus in northern Palm Beach County , in Jupiter . The John D . MacArthur Campus , named after businessman and philanthropist John D . MacArthur , was established in 1999 to serve residents of central and northern Palm Beach and southern Martin Counties . The MacArthur Campus occupies 45 acres ( 0 . 18 km² ) , upon which are eight classroom and office buildings , a library , a 500 - seat auditorium , two residence halls , a dining hall , museum building , and utility plant . The MacArthur Campus also houses the Harriet L . Wilkes Honors College , Scripps Florida , and the Max Planck Florida Institute . The campus serves approximately 1 , 262 students , or 4 % of the university ' s student body . Broward County campuses . Dania Beach – SeaTech . The Dania Beach Campus , also known as SeaTech , was founded in 1997 as a state - funded Type II research center . The institute is part of Florida Atlantic ' s Department of Ocean Engineering which was founded in 1965 as the first ocean engineering undergraduate program in the nation . The campus is located on 8 acres ( 0 . 03 km² ) of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway . SeaTech is home to university faculty and students engaged in sponsored ocean engineering research and development in the areas of acoustics , marine vehicles , hydrodynamics and physical oceanography , marine materials and nanocomposites . The Dania Beach Campus serves approximately 70 students , roughly 1 % of the university ' s total student body . Davie . The Davie Campus of Florida Atlantic University was established in 1990 on 38 acres ( 0 . 15 km² ) of land in western Broward County . The campus serves approximately 3 , 488 students , or 13 % of the Florida Atlantic student body , making it the university ' s second largest campus by enrollment . The campus features a multi - story student union with offices for student government and student organizations , a multipurpose area and student lounge , a bookstore , and cafeteria . The union also contains a student health center that provides medical services and health counseling . Davie is also the home of " environmental research initiatives focused on Everglades restoration . " FAU colleges offering courses at the FAU Davie campus include Design and Social Inquiry ; Arts and Letters ; Business ; Education ; Nursing ; and Science . The campus is located on Broward College ' s Central Campus . Students may enter BC as freshmen and graduate from FAU with undergraduate degrees in over 14 disciplines . More than 315 , 000 square feet of carefully designed classrooms , laboratories and faculty , staff and student offices are located on this campus along with a shared - use , 112 , 000 square - foot FAU / BC library designed for the 21st century . Other support facilities include a shared Childcare Center , a student Wellness Center and a multi - service Student Union . The campus also offers a rich and varied program of student activities provided by the Division of Student Affairs . Students have all of the services they require for career counseling , wellness , testing and evaluation , tutoring , health services , student government and financial aid , among others . Like a small college within a large university , the Davie Campus is seen as a " model " branch campus for the state of Florida and the nation . Fort Lauderdale . The university has two buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale , both of which are considered part of one Fort Lauderdale campus . The Askew Tower ( AT ) and the Higher Education Complex ( HEC ) on Las Olas Boulevard . The campus offers courses in Communication , Graphic Design , Architecture , and Urban & Regional Planning . The campus is home to approximately 900 students or 3 . 2 % of the university ' s student body . St . Lucie County campuses . Port St . Lucie – Treasure Coast Campus . Located in Port St . Lucie , Florida , the Treasure Coast Campus of Florida Atlantic University operates through a partnership with Indian River State College ( IRSC ) . Since the 1970s , the university has been operating on the Treasure Coast in conjunction with IRSC to enable students to transition from an associate ' s degree to undergraduate and graduate degrees . Florida Atlantic purchased 50 acres ( 0 . 2 km² ) of land in Port St . Lucie in 1994 . The university operated in the existing infrastructure for eight years before joining with Indian River State College to open a joint - use facility . Both institutions continue to operate out of this facility . The Treasure Coast Campus currently serves approximately 738 students , or 3 % of the university ' s student body . Fort Pierce – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution . In addition to the Treasure Coast Campus , Florida Atlantic University operates a campus in Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution . Harbor Branch merged with the university in 2007 to become the HBOI at FAU . The Florida Legislature allocated $ 44 million for the university to acquire the institution and its 600 acre ( 2 . 4 km² ) campus . Athletics . Florida Atlantic ' s 18 varsity sports teams , the Owls , compete in the NCAA ' s Division I Sun Belt Conference . The university ' s athletics program began in 1979 , when Florida Atlantic first started sponsoring intercollegiate teams . Since then , the university has worked to expand the quality of its intercollegiate program by attracting coaches such as Howard Schnellenberger , Matt Doherty , Rex Walters and Mike Jarvis . In 2006 , the athletic department was ranked 79th in the nation by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics ( NACDA ) . Along with " USA Today " and the United States Sports Academy , NACDA recognized the university for its Division I athletic programs and accomplishments . " This ranking placed Florida Atlantic in the top 24 % of 326 NCAA Division I universities . The university ' s colors are FAU Blue , FAU Red , and FAU Silver . In 2008 , the Florida Atlantic football team finished six wins and six losses in regular season play and was invited to the Motor City Bowl . The Owls defeated Central Michigan University 24 – 21 , increasing their bowl record to two wins and zero losses . During the previous season , the football team beat Troy University in the final game of regular season play to become Sun Belt Co - Champions and receive an invitation to the New Orleans Bowl . In just the seventh year of the football program ' s history , and the third year playing in Division I , Florida Atlantic set NCAA records by both becoming the youngest program ever to receive an invitation to , and win , a bowl game . As a result of the New Orleans Bowl the university has seen a surge in school spirit . In past seasons the Owls have garnered a number of accolades for their accomplishments . During the 2006 – 2007 season , the men ' s basketball team was noted as " one of the Sun Belt Conference ' s top offensive teams , " with a " scary offense " that earned it the reputation of the " best shooting team in the conference . " In 2010 , the men ' s basketball team defeated its first - ever Southeastern Conference opponent Mississippi State University 61 – 59 as well as Big East opponent the University of South Florida 50 – 42 en route to a 21 – 9 overall record and claimed the Sun Belt Conference title . The baseball team was also recognized by the NCAA as ranking in the Top 10 in five team categories . The team was also ranked third in the nation in home runs per game ( 1 . 66 ) and in slugging percentage ( . 563 ) . In 2010 , the Owls baseball team was 37 – 24 ( 21 – 9 ) and claimed their first Sun Belt Conference regular - season title . Traditions . Florida Atlantic University is home to a number of sports - related traditions and school spirit organizations . Every fall before the first football game of the season , FAU ' s Student Government Association sponsors the " Annual Football Kick - Off Bonfire " wherein the opposing team ' s mascot is burned in effigy . Also in football , Florida Atlantic challenges its rival Florida International ( FIU ) is the annual Shula Bowl . This intercollegiate football game is named after legendary coach Don Shula ; so named because at the time of its inception , both head coaches , Florida Atlantic ' s Howard Schnellenberger and Florida International coach Don Strock , had worked under Shula at some point during their careers . Even though both universities have since moved on to new head coaches , the Shula Bowl is still played . As a home game , the competition takes place at GEO Group Stadium ; as an away game , the bowl is played at FIU Stadium in Miami . For basketball , Florida Atlantic celebrates a " Midnight Madness " pep rally that introduces fans to the team and coaches as well as inspires a number of basketball - related contests such as 3 Point Shoot Outs and Slam Dunk competitions . During the regular season , the " Bury the Burrow in Red " event calls for Florida Atlantic students to wear as much red as possible and fill the Burrow , the university ' s multi - purpose arena , during the annual basketball rivalry game between Florida Atlantic and Florida International University . The official spirit group supporting Florida Atlantic athletics is the " prOWLers . " The group began in February 2002 to support the men ' s basketball program during the team ' s run for the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship . The group is funded by the Student Alumni Association , and can now be found at most sporting events cheering for Florida Atlantic . The prOWLers are joined by the Owl Rangers , a fan group that paints their bodies in the Florida Atlantic school colors . The hOWLetts are a student club that attend gameday events and assist in recruiting athletes . Since 2002 , Florida Atlantic students have been using Owl Fingers ( the " OK " hand sign ) to show school pride and wish the athletic teams luck during football point after attempts ( PATs ) and basketball free throws . The Florida Atlantic University Athletics Department has chosen to use Owl Fingers as part of its " Salute the Hoot " 2012 marketing campaign that encourages students to " proudly raise the hand salute that depicts the eyes of the owl , FAU ' s mascot . " Student life . Residential life . Residential housing at Florida Atlantic University is available on the Boca Raton and John D . MacArthur campuses . " All full - time freshmen are required to reside in university housing , " however , " exemptions from this policy are made for students who : are 21 or older by the first day of class , reside with parent ( s ) or legal guardian ( s ) within a radius of the Boca Raton [ C ] ampus , or are married . " As of 2011 , 3 , 555 students live on - campus in Boca Raton . The Wilkes Honors College on the MacArthur Campus requires all students live on - campus within its two residence halls , however , exceptions are made for students who are 26 years of age , married , or have dependent children . As of 2011 , there are 231 students residing on - campus at the honors college . Boca Raton ' s main on - campus housing facilities are : Algonquin Hall ( opened 1965 ) , Heritage Park Towers ( opened 2004 ) , Indian River Towers ( opened 2001 ) , and Glades Park Towers ( opened 2007 ) which is a dormitory for freshmen nearly identical to Heritage Park Towers . It has 602 beds with 96 single rooms . The university also offers upper - division undergraduate and graduate student housing in the Village Student Apartments , as well as a Business and Professional Women ' s Scholarship House for women with a strong academic background . As part of the first phase of the Innovation Village project , Florida Atlantic finished the construction of a 1 , 200 bed apartment - style housing facility for upperclassmen , graduate , and medical students . The facility opened in Fall 2011 . In the next few years , the university plans to add another 1 , 800 student beds to the Boca Raton campus . Within its existing residential life programs , Florida Atlantic offers a number of Learning Communities for freshmen and students with similar interests and concentrations . Participants meet people with similar interests , live on the same floor and take courses with others in their community , while receiving additional guidance related to those interests . The university ' s Learning Community programs are divided into two categories , Freshman Learning Communities and Living Learning Communities . The freshman program offers 16 different concentrations , including business , nursing , and education . The Living program offers six concentrations for students residing in the Heritage Park Towers dormitory , including engineering and computer science and a Women ' s Leadership program . The university ' s Department of Housing and Residential Life and the university ' s fraternities and sororities sponsor a program for freshmen and other students returning to Florida Atlantic in the fall semester . This program , called the " Weeks of Welcome " , spans 11 days and all campuses , and works to acclimate students with university life and to build a good on - campus community . On each day , a number of different events are scheduled , including Hall Wars , which are athletic competitions between dormitories ; Luau s , and a number of other events . The Weeks of Welcome is the second largest campus - wide event held by Florida Atlantic . Campus organizations and activities . For the 2010 – 2011 academic year , Florida Atlantic had approximately 300 registered student organizations . Among the groups are academic organizations , honor societies , spiritual / religious organizations , diversity - appreciation organizations , service organizations , personal interest organizations , sports clubs , and student government agencies . These clubs and organizations run the gamut from sailing to Ultimate Frisbee , from varsity and club sports and a jazz group to a pottery guild , from political organizations to chess and video game clubs . These organizations are funded by student tuition , from which $ 10 . 00 per credit hour goes toward an activities and service fee fund . This generates approximately $ 9 million that is then given to student government for allocation to student clubs and organizations . The student government also finances other student life programs , including career fairs , the " University Press " , OWL TV and Owl Radio , and Homecoming . Florida Atlantic ' s homecoming , also known as the " Owl Prowl , " is celebrated annually in the fall semester . Events occur mainly on the Boca Raton Campus , but a number of other campuses host their own events as well . In the past , homecoming has had kickoff parties , costumed dances , bonfires , comedy shows , alumni events and dinners , a golf cart parade , and tailgating . Florida Atlantic students have an organized football tailgating area known as the Rat ' s Mouth . The name references the Spanish translation of Boca Raton . Florida Atlantic completed an $ 18 . 6 million Recreation and Wellness Center in spring 2010 . The facility houses an outdoor leisure and lap pool , a cardio equipment and free weight room , two multipurpose rooms , three indoor courts and health club - style locker rooms . In 2011 , the facility won the NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facilities Award . Other recreation facilities include a $ 4 . 2 million track and field complex , with synthetic turf ( opened January 2007 ) , a ropes challenge course and the 6 . 5 acre Henderson Fields , utilized most often by the FAU Intramural Sports and Club Sports programs . Greek life . Florida Atlantic is home to 28 chapters of national fraternities and sororities , encompassing approximately 1 , 077 members or 5 % of the undergraduate population . These Greek organizations provide academic motivation , forums for education on various life issues , philanthropy and service to the community ; contribute to the campuses through participation in campus life ; and foster opportunities for people with similar values to engage in friendship . The highpoint of Greek life at Florida Atlantic is " Greek Week . " This event is held annually during the spring semester and showcases a number of themed competitions between the university ' s Greek organizations . There are currently no on - campus Greek houses . However , a Greek Life Housing task force has been formed to explore various housing models , including the cost of construction , " and make recommendations on how to improve the overall quality of the Greek housing . . . " Greek housing is planned for the upcoming Innovation Village complex . Fraternities include : Alpha Epsilon Pi , Alpha Tau Omega , Delta Tau Delta , Phi Delta Theta , Sigma Chi , Pi Kappa Alpha , Sigma Phi Epsilon , Triangle Fraternity , Kappa Alpha Psi , Alpha Phi Alpha , Phi Beta Sigma , and Omega Psi Phi . Sororities include : Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Xi Delta , Delta Phi Epsilon , Sigma Kappa , Theta Phi Alpha , Delta Sigma Theta , Zeta Phi Beta , Sigma Gamma Rho and Sigma Lambda Gamma . Alumni . Florida Atlantic University has awarded more than 110 , 000 degrees to nearly 105 , 000 alumni worldwide since its opening . Some notable Florida Atlantic alumni are R . David Paulison , the former head of the United States ' Federal Emergency Management Agency ; and former university President Frank T . Brogan , a former Lieutenant Governor of Florida . Charles Ghigna , also known as " Father Goose , " is a poet , children ' s author , and nationally syndicated writer . Judith Ortiz Cofer is an acclaimed Puerto Rican author whose works span a range of literary genres including poetry , short stories , and essays . Other alumni are Chris Carrabba , the lead singer of the band Dashboard Confessional ; and Phil Zimmermann , the creator of Pretty Good Privacy . Entertainers Mary Carey , a pornographic actress and former candidate for Governor of California , prop comedian Carrot Top , and humorist Daniel Dickey also attended the university . Alumnus and NASA astronaut Steven Swanson went to space aboard Space Shuttle " Atlantis " during STS - 117 in June 2007 , and Space Shuttle " Discovery " during STS - 119 in March 2009 .