A suburban Chicago college has stepped up safety measures after an alleged attack on a female Muslim student which officials deemed a hate crime.

Elmhurst College officials on Friday contacted Muslim students to offer safety escorts and Elmhurst police increased patrols on the nearly 3,000-student campus.

Police say the alleged attack occurred Thursday evening in a science building bathroom by a man wearing a ski mask. Authorities say they found anti-Muslim graffiti there.

Officials placed the school on lock down for an hour and ordered students to stay indoors.

Elmhurst College spokesman Charley Henderson says the student found racial slurs and a swastika earlier this month in her locker. The matter was turned over to Elmhurst police.[Link]