Authorities investigating noose-hanging incident at Duke University

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A noose was found early Wednesday morning hanging from a tree on Duke University’s campus.

Officials say a noose made of yellow rope was discovered hanging from a tree at the Bryan Center plaza around 2:45 A.M, reports the University’s newspaper The Chronicle.

Vice President of Student Affairs Larry Moneta addressed the incident to students via email Wednesday:

To whomever committed this hateful and stupid act, I just want to say that if your intent was to create fear, it will have the opposite effect. Today, fear will be among the reactions students, and especially, students of color, will have. Be assured that the Duke community will provide all the support necessary to help us all get through this. In time, each of these cowardly acts of bias and hatred will strengthen our resolve to love and support each other.

Authorities are currently investigating but have not released any details.

The noose was found roughly two weeks after an email to students from President Richard Brodhead and Provost Sally Kornblutha addressed an incident in which white students allegedly chanted a racist song at a black female student.

Following the recent racially-charged incidents on campus, an anonymous group, calling themselves the Duke People of Color Caucus, formed online to voice their concerns.

After the discovery of the noose, the group called for black students and faculty to “take care of yourselves and each other,” and added that Duke’s “campus is not a safe space, and has proven beyond any doubt that it is a hostile environment for any and all black people.”