DaytonDailyNews.com

Wright State University is investigating "threatening graffiti" found in a men's bathroom of an academic building on the Fairborn campus Thursday, Oct. 30.

According to a statement posted on the university's Web site at 12:37 p.m., the graffiti found in Oelman Hall made "references to death on 10-31."

Some of the graffiti contained "Neo-Nazi" symbols or words, according to the statement, made homophobic references along with references to the deadly shooting at Columbine High School in April 1999.

The campus police department referred calls to the university's communications department.

"The investigation is ongoing," university spokeswoman Stephanie Gottschlich said Thursday night, noting that the graffiti has been painted over by university personnel.

She also said there would be an increased police presence on campus of 16,672 undergraduate and graduate students on Friday, Oct. 31, in part because of Halloween.

WSU posted the following unsigned and unattributed statement on its Web site:

"Such threats and behavior fall into the category of hate crimes and inducing alarm and will never be tolerated on our campus."

WSU officials also urged students to be aware of their environment and to make sure they know where emergency phones are on campus.

The officials also asked all students and staff to program the police department's number, (937) 775-2111, into their cell phones or call 911 if they notice anything suspicious.

Coincidentally, Gottschlich said, a public safety awareness expo is to be held on campus on Friday, and will include displays of law enforcement equipment. Among the items to be displayed will be a Ohio Highway Patrol Special Weapons and Tactics team vehicle.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDaily

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