“SHAME”: That was the word emblazoned across the University of Toronto’s Simcoe Hall in massive orange graffiti Friday morning.

The cryptic message comes the same day striking teaching assistants are set to vote on a tentative agreement struck between the university and their union, Unit 1 of CUPE 3902.

The historic building at 27 King’s College Circle houses the offices of the governing council and the university’s president, Meric Gertler.

“We have no idea who did this, but whoever did it, we condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” said local CUPE 3902 chair Erin Black.

On Wednesday, students gathered outside Simcoe Hall for a large demonstration in support of the striking educators.

The graffiti was first reported to campus police, but Toronto police have since taken over the investigation.

“TPS (Toronto Police Service) is investigating the graffiti incident on Simcoe Hall, which is a listed heritage building. We have no other information to provide at this time,” U of T spokesperson Michael Kurts said in an email.

Graffiti like this can be made using a fire extinguisher filled with paint.

“Holy smokes. Wow,” said John Kalimeris, managing director of the Toronto graffiti removal company Graffiti Buffer, when he viewed a picture of the defaced Simcoe Hall online Friday.

To remove graffiti of that size, said Kalimeris, a special product would have to be applied to the painted surface, left on for several hours, and then washed off with hot water.

“The surface is old but it looks like a very good stone,” said Kalimeris.

If done properly, the process should not leave a trace, he said.

Kalimeris estimated the removal job at Simcoe Hall would cost between $2,000 and $3,000.