Administrators at the hospital and medical school said they have notified federal authorities and asked them to investigate.

An employee about 11 a.m. found a rope with nooses at both ends hanging from a bed. LSUHSC police and administrators were notified.

"This day and time you just can't believe it's going on," hospital employee Janice Priest said. "I am very upset about it."

LSUHSC Chancellor Dr. John McDonald issued a brief statement that said an investigation had begun and the U.S. Attorney's office in Shreveport has been notified. They would have jurisdiction if the noose incident was considered a hate crime directed at a particular racial or ethnic group.

"Such an event is and will not be tolerated," McDonald said.

The head of the LSU system, John Lombardi, said the medical school and hospital will not tolerate such an incident.

"It is not an act of free speech; this is a form of hate speech, which is clearly prohibited in our society," Lombardi said.

Investigators are not commenting on their case. They are interviewing people who had access to the break room.