ATHENS (WCMH) — Ohio University’s graffiti wall on campus is where students go to exercise their freedom of speech. But it was the painting of a figure hanging from a tree and the phrase “Build The Wall” that’s stirring up a conversation about racism on campus.

“Here, the university really preaches Bobcat pride and Bobcat togetherness,” says Marcus Cole, a member of the Black Student Union. “To have something like that just lets me know that there are people here that do not want me to succeed and do not want me here. They want me to feel threatened. It made me feel scared, violated and a big lack of trust for my community here at OU and in Athens.”

Carly Glick, Ohio University spokesperson, says the wall is an opportunity for students to express freedom of speech.

“The only time the university would take any kind of action is if there were a physical threat of any harm,” said Glick. “We did have Ohio University Police Department investigate the recent incident.”

Students believe the image was in retaliation to the #Justice4TyreKing messages spray painted on university buildings last week.

“I think it’s a direct reaction from the Tyre King thing, but also just what’s going on in the nation as well,” Cole says.

The message has since been transformed to display the phrases #BlackLivesMatter and “Racism Will Not Be Tolerated.” The image of the hanging figure still remains. Some say it sends a powerful message, and others say more needs to be done.

“To me it’s kind of like a Band-Aid,” said Jasmyn Pearl, a Black Student Union member.  “We always put Band-Aids on cuts and bruises, but it doesn’t heal it, it just kind of covers it for the time being.”

Students from the Black Student Union organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and 25 student-run organizations met Thursday to discuss change and ask for action from university officials.

“The university does not have anything in the student handbook about hate speech, except for that speech is protected by the First Amendment,” Pearl said. “Can we get a protocol saying what is acceptable and what will happen if you do this?”

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion offers a space where students can come and speak with university officials about how they feel.

“We offer campus conversation on a frequent basis,” Glick said.

The next campus conversation is on October 4, and will be focused on the Graffiti Wall.