A noose was discovered hanging from a tree at Duke University outside a building that houses several offices focused on diversity on the campus. The disgusting symbol of racial hatred is now under investigation by Duke University and the police who are attempting to work out who hung the rope on the tree. Police said the thin yellow rope was tied into a noose at about 2 a.m. Wednesday on  the Bryan Center plaza in Durham, North Carolina. Disgusting: Officials said the rope was tied into a noose at about 2 a.m. in the Bryan Center plaza in Durham North Carolina . The area in which the noose was found is home to several offices focused on diversity including the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity and the Center for Multicultural Affairs. Larry Moneta, Duke's vice president for student affairs said in an email to students that anyone found responsible for 'committing this act of intimidation' would be held accountable. She wrote: '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.' Duke University students took to social media sites to discuss the issue, with many believing it was  racially motivated. On twitter, @DPickett12 wrote: 'They're still hanging nooses from trees..... Look how far we've come.' And @Indyz_A_WOW responded: 'Talk about it! They think they can erase this history. Duke has always been racist.' @DPickett12 added: 'Duke hasn't been just diagnosed with racism...it has been suffering from this disease for years. It's chronic.' The noose was removed from the tree at around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday according to a report in The Duke Chronicle. On twitter, @DPickett12 wrote: 'They're still hanging nooses from trees..... Look how far we've come.' @Indyz_A_WOW responded: 'Talk about it! They think they can erase this history. Duke has always been racist.' @DPickett12 wrote: Duke hasn't been just diagnosed with racism...it has been suffering from this disease for years. It's chronic. @cierane tweeted: 'The fact that black students at Duke pay $60,000 a year and constantly feel unsafe on campus is ridiculous.' Race issues: The shocking incident comes just two weeks after students allegedly chanted a racist song at a black female student . Several students were seen talking to two police officers shortly after reports about it surfaced online. Members of Duke's Black Student Alliance met on the west campus before 1 p.m. for a march to the Bryan Center. They chanted: 'We are not afraid we stand together,' according to a tweet by Amanda Lamb from WRAL. Students chanted: 'We are not afraid we stand together,' according to a tweet by Amanda Lamb from WRAL . However, the incident comes just two weeks after  students allegedly chanted a racist song at a black female student. The race hate incident led Duke President Richard Brodhead and Provost Sally Kornbluth to send an email to the student body affirming the university's commitment to racial equality. It also spawned the creation of a group called The Duke People of Color Caucus which released a statement on Tumblr along with a photo of the noose. The statement read: 'To all black students, staff, faculty, and/or Durhamites on campus and in the area: Please take care of yourselves and each other. 'This campus is not a safe space, and has proven beyond any doubt that it is a hostile environment for any and all black people.' School spokesman Keith Lawrence said both Duke administrators and the police are now carrying out an investigation. University and student leaders have scheduled a forum for 5 p.m. Wednesday on the steps of Duke Chapel. Speakers will include President Richard Brodhead. Duke has about 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It costs about $60,000 a year to attend as an undergraduate, including room and board, according to the school's website. About half of all undergraduate students receive financial aid. @cierane tweeted: 'The fact that black students at Duke pay $60,000 a year and constantly feel unsafe on campus is ridiculous.'
Duke officials are attempting to work out who hung the noose on the tree . Officials said the rope was tied into a noose at about 2 a.m. Wednesday . The shocking incident comes just two weeks after another race attack . Officials said anyone found responsible will be held accountable .