EAST LANSING, MI - Michigan State University Police have determined that an object identified by a student as a noose isn't a noose at all, but a packaged leather shoelace.

MSU spokesman Jason Cody released a statement updating earlier remarks made by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon saying the matching packaged shoelace was found outside of the residence hall.

According to the statement, officers located and spoke to the student who lost both of the shoelaces, which are packaged in a way that someone could perceive them to look similar to a noose.

The student who lost the shoelaces lives on the same floor as the student who made the original report, the statement said.

The original shoelace found inside the residence hall was not directed at any individual. It originally was seen on hallway floor and later on a stairwell door handle, where officers believe someone put it after picking it up.

"As we did in this case, the university takes any reported racial incident very seriously," Cody said in the statement. "We feel it is important to quickly communicate what we know to the campus community and provide updates as necessary. MSU continues to provide support to the students involved."