A freestanding brick wall on the ISU campus was vandalized with derogatory words about homosexuality. The vandalism was reported Thursday morning.

“ISU Fag Rag” was spray painted in black letters on the dividing wall, which is located between Hamilton and Agronomy halls. Hamilton Hall is where the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Iowa State Daily are located.

At 10:54 a.m. Thursday, ISU Police received a call from the Iowa State Daily and dispatched an officer to the scene, said ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger.

“We have documented, taken photographs and contacted Facilities Planning and Management to have [the vandalism] removed,” he said.

The vandalism is an act of criminal mischief, Deisinger said. The penalty for criminal mischief depends upon the dollar value associated with the damage done, which has not been determined at this time.

If the vandalism is discovered to be a hate crime, the penalty would be enhanced, Deisinger said.

Last November, vandalism occurred on two ISU buildings. “Die Fag Die Fag” was written on the Durham Center and “Dean of Fags” was written on the Student Services Building.

On Feb. 7, the words “Fag House Sucks” were written in chalk on a sign outside the Farm House Museum. A member of the Triangle Fraternity, 125 N. Hyland Ave., admitted to being responsible for a string of vandalism, including the writing on the Farm House Museum sign.

Deisinger said handwriting samples are being taken, but it’s too early to tell if the incidents are related to one another. Anyone who has any information should contact the ISU Police at 294-4428.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, said there is no place for this kind of “senseless behavior” on campus.

“I’m sorry things like this happen,” he said.

“We’re talking about issues on diversity here [at Iowa State] and how to move this institution forward, and in order to move forward we can’t afford to have these kinds of things happen.”

Hill said he hopes officials can determine who’s responsible for these acts and take appropriate action.

Todd Herriott, adviser of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Alliance, said this is another wake-up call school officials need to take heed to.

“I want the administration to recognize this is what it is, which is an ongoing hostile environment toward LGBT people on this campus,” Herriott said. “Every time our administration waits to respond is one more indication to LGBT students on this campus that they are neither valued nor safe.”