University President Morton Schapiro condemned what he called “an abhorrent act of vandalism” in an email to students Friday.

Schapiro said homophobic, anti-Semitic, racist and other offensive graffiti was spray-painted inside Alice Millar Chapel on Thursday night, including in the chapel’s offices. The organ in the religious center’s Jeanne Vail Chapel was also painted with graffiti, but University Chaplain Timothy Stevens told The Daily in an email Saturday morning the spray paint had been removed from the organ.

University Police are investigating and reviewing video footage to locate the individual or individuals responsible.

“Northwestern is committed to creating a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all of our students, faculty and staff,” Schapiro said in the email. “This disgusting act of hatred violates the deepest values and core commitments of our University and is an affront to us all.”

This article was updated with additional information from Timothy Stevens on March 12 at 3:30 p.m.

Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified the organ vandalized. The organ in the Jeanne Vail Chapel was painted with graffiti. The Daily regrets the error. 

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