YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University officials carried out an investigation after staff members found racial insults and the letters “KKK” — denoting the Ku Klux Klan — plastered on the University’s King Residence Hall early Tuesday.

The incident led more than 150 students to protest in a march to the home of the University’s president, James Smith. According to EMU spokesman Geoff Larcom, Smith and other campus officials spoke to the crowd.

“It was a very constructive dialogue, which is emblematic of the way it engages students,” he said.

Staff members in the Julia Anne King Hall found “KKK” sprayed in red, white and blue paint, along with the word “leave” and a racial insult targeting African Americans.

Smith disapproved of the message in a statement.

“The university strongly condemns such a racist and thoughtless act, which runs completely counter to the values and welcoming environment of our highly diverse Eastern Michigan University community,” he said in the statement released to faculty and students. “Our department of public safety is undertaking a full and immediate investigation and the graffiti has been quickly removed.”

Smith also said officials are confident security cameras in the area will help authorities find those responsible.

“We also are seeking any information from individuals who may have spotted anything unusual in the overnight or early morning hours in that area,” he said. “Rest assured, we will investigate this criminal act to our fullest abilities and will advise our campus community on our progress. Let me reiterate, we condemn this act in the strongest of terms and stand strong in our determination to identify the individual or individuals responsible and then, beyond this, to address the broader issues in our community that such an action highlights.”