DeKALB — NIU President Lisa Freeman sent an email at 3:09 p.m. Thursday acknowledging the racist slur spray-painted on the Lincoln Highway side of the Center for Black Studies building Wednesday night.

“Late last night, the N-word was spray-painted on the Lincoln Highway side of our Center for Black Studies building,” according to the email.

The NIU Police Department has documented it for evidence and had it removed. An investigation into this hate crime has begun, and the university intends to pursue all charges available under the law, according to the email. 

“It’s even more harmful that a building devoted to teaching, learning, understanding, advocating and celebrating Black culture was the target,” Freeman wrote. 

The university will host a virtual, campus conversation via Zoom at 8 p.m. to discuss the incident and address any questions or concerns Huskies may have, according to the email. 

If anyone has information regarding the incident, they should contact NIU Police (815-753-1212) or use the Bias Incident Reporting form.