A display encouraging students to stab a “Trumpkin” at Providence College’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is being investigated, officials said Thursday.

A picture of the display that circulated on social media, obtained by Campus Reform, showed the words, “stab stab stab” written on a chalk board, telling students, “if you ever feel angry or stressed, feel free to stab Trumpkin!” On a table in front of the message was a mangled pumpkin with a pair of scissors plunged into it.

“Trumpkin” is often used as a derogatory description of supporters of President Trump.

Providence College issued a tweet Thursday saying it was investigating the display, which went up at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs on Oct. 24 and was removed the next day.

PC learned of “Trumpkin” 10/24 p.m., and it was removed as of 10/25. We are completing our investigation and providing support to students. — Providence College (@providencecol) November 2, 2017

The Rev. Brian Shanley, president of the private Rhode Island university, addressed the incident in an email to the college community on Thursday, the Providence Journal reported.

“An object described as a ‘Trumpkin’ was displayed in the office of a student organization and its image was circulated on social media,” he said. “It was offensive to many members of our community, especially because of the exhortation to violence in the form of stabbing with scissors. The display was removed shortly after it was reported to College Administration, and an investigation by the Office of Public Safety is ongoing.”

Steven Maurano, the school’s associate vice president for public affairs, community and government relations, confirmed to Campus Reform that the display was not authorized by the administration.

The display first gained the attention of the Providence College Republicans, which called it “highly disturbing.”

“As your community leaders and Republican representatives,” the organization wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post, “we are deeply distressed at the implications of such a display, and we personally feel responsible to not only make you aware of the highly disturbing imagery, but also to act as a resource for you if anyone feels threatened.”

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