An act of vandalism that is being characterized as a hate crime has Chico State University's president outraged.

Saturday vandals slashed the tire valve stems and spray painted a racial slur on the car of a black Chico State student. The car was parked near Nettleton Stadium, while the student and his friends were attending a Chico State basketball game.

Campus President Paul J. Zingg called the vandalism a "vile and cowardly act."

He said the incident is being investigated by the University Police Department.

"The police were very clear to distinguish between a hate incident and a hate crime," Zingg told the Enterprise-Record, "and this is a hate crime. It's not a prank."

Both Zingg and Scott McNall, campus vice president for academic affairs and provost who told a meeting of the university Academic Senate about the vandalism declined to identify the race of the victim.

"We have a specific incident here, but it doesn't make any difference what the race is," said Zingg.

"Our minority students often feel isolated and alone," said McNall.

"Acts such as these are more than regrettable, they are contemptible," wrote Zingg in an e-mail sent to the campus community Tuesday night.

"They are clearly hurtful to the immediate victims, but they harm and should distress all of us. They strike at the core values of our community, none of which are more important than civility and respect," continued the president's statement.

The e-mail urges anybody with information about the incident to call the university police at 898-5372.

"We will pursue the perpetrators aggressively and seek their prosecution to the full extent of the law," said Zingg's message.

He told the E-R if the culprits turn out to be Chico State students the campus disciplinary program would "kick in" at some point, but criminal prosecution would take the lead.

"These ugly acts do not define us. Our response to them should, though. I urge all of us to demonstrate the behaviors that characterize a truly great university. Silence and inaction before hostile, troubling and threatening conditions for any members of our community are not among them," said Zingg's e-mail.

"Let us redouble our efforts to ensure that we are a safe and supportive community for all, especially for those who have suffered directly the vile expressions of racism and hatred," concluded his statement.