School officials are investigating a noose found hanging on the Duke University campus found early this morning. The noose, was found at the Bryan Center Plaza, a busy part of campus where students congregate.

Today on the steps of Duke Chapel President Richard Brodhead, Provost Sally Kornbluth, faculty and student leaders there is a forum.

In an email to students, faculty and staff Wednesday afternoon, Brodhead and Kornbluth wrote, “Our campus has been jolted over the past few weeks by several racial incidents, including a report of hateful speech directed at students on East Campus and, early this morning, the discovery of a noose on the Bryan Center Plaza. As individuals, and as a university, we deplore these actions in the strongest possible terms. Today we ask you to help us demonstrate to our African-American students, faculty and staff, and indeed the world, our solidarity and unity in the face of cowardly acts of hatred by attending a university-wide forum at 5:00 in front of Duke Chapel. The two of us, along with students and faculty, will give voice to our concerns and show the community that can come together at this challenging time. We hope you will join us.”

See tweets from the forum below:

CollegedukeNooseRaceuniversity