South Dakota State University officials have confirmed that they will not condone the incident of racial harassment and the university police are investigating the episode.

The Native American students at the university were shocked to a see a racial slur in one of the Brown Hall dormitory men's bathrooms on Friday. The picture of the graffiti is already being circulated across wide range of social media.

The graffiti used a racial epithet followed by the comment 'go back to the rez,' which is short for reservation, in permanent marker. Two room numbers were also found along with the slur, one of them belonging to a Native American student.

The student has chosen to remain anonymous, afraid of retribution.

"I chose this school because it was far enough from home and still close enough to home," the targeted student said to Indian Country Today Media Network.

The damaged bathroom is a public restroom on the first floor of the resident dormitory, which can house 380 people.

By Monday the graffiti was reportedly covered with spray paint.

The university said it cannot comment any further apart from confirming an investigation.

"The university is committed to the affirmation and appreciation of all protected classes, including racial, ethnic, religious or sexual identities, and the belief that all of its members are part of a larger community," reads the official statement.

It also added that the incident is 'inconsistent' with the values that university leadership holds dear and 'contrary to diversity and intercultural advancement' of the university.

Michael Lockrem, director of university relations told to Indian Country Today Media Network that since the incident the American Indian Education and Cultural Center has been in touch with students and officials on campus to go over shared concerns and to keep the dialogue open.