Editor's Note: The young women pictured in the photo gallery above are participants in Bid Day and are not necessarily associated with the racial incident.

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Rumors are running rampant that an image using a racial slur in a Snapchat photo sent by an University of Alabama student and Chi O member was altered.

But Chi Omega spokesperson Whitney Plumpton said the original photo, with the slur, is in fact real.

"There is an image circulating, primarily from Jezebel and Buzzfeed, that is not the original Snapchat image," Plumpton said via email Tuesday. "Chi Omega has confirmed the authenticity of the original Snapchat, as well as that the offensive word was also used in the original Snapchat."

The altered image contained the same language as the original Snapchat, Plumpton said.

The rumors the image was altered was encouraged by sites like Total Frat Move and Buzzfeed.

The University of Alabama and Chi Omega national sorority on Monday released statements condemning the image.

UA President Judy Bonner called the behavior "reprehensible" and said the Office of Student Conduct was conducting a full investigation. Chi Omega officials said the woman was no longer a member of the Nu Beta chapter.