Several fraternity and sorority monuments on Howard University’s Washington D.C. campus were found vandalized Wednesday morning by students, according to school officials.

Photos of the historical markers of fraternities and sororities defaced with spray paint were posted on Twitter on Wednesday (April 13). The markers signify the campus presence of the organizations  Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities and Phi Beta Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Phi Omega fraternities, which all had trees or plots marked with black spray paint. Each of them, except for Alpha Phi Omega, are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, more popularly known as the “Divine Nine.”

It is unclear who is responsible for the defacing or what their motive was.

“The University is aware that some of the Divine Nine Greek-lettered organizational plots located on the Main Yard of Howard’s campus have been defaced. These senseless acts of vandalism are unacceptable and run contrary to the values of respect and tolerance that we as an institution strive to uphold. The deliberate damaging of any Howard buildings or artifacts is expressly prohibited. The individuals responsible for these acts will be dealt with accordingly,” Howard said in a statement provided to The Hilltop.

“The Divine Nine has a rich historical legacy, and many of our most esteemed alumni credit their affiliations with these organizations for empowering their success and service. These fraternities and sororities are foundational to Howard’s identity as an institution of higher education. We take these acts of vandalism very seriously and thank the many individuals who have reached out to express their care and concern. Howard University Police Department has launched an investigation of the incident, and the University will address this issue promptly.”

The HBCU is the birthplace of five of the nine Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the NPHC including Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta, each of whom have maintained chapters at Howard for more than a century..

Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta make up the other members. Each of them have chapters at Howard as well.