Students woke up to find that several of the buildings on Syracuse University's campus were tainted by colorful graffiti, the Post-Standard reported.

At least five buildings were defaced with spray paint messages, including the Maxwell School, Eggers Hall, Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, Newhouse I and Newhouse III.

"It could definitely upset some students because everyone's already really stressed out about finals and seeing something like that could really shift someone's day," first-year student Connor Gibbs told WRVO Radio.

On the Maxwell building, the Latin phrase "Cui bono?" was written in a neon-orange letters. The phrase, when translated, means "To whose advantage?" The phrase was accompanied by the word "WAR."

The message "#1 in communications, LAST in free speech" was written on the Newhouse III building. The Newhouse I building had three different messages outside its lobby, including "Less TV, More books" on the building and "Liars Live Here, Are you one?" on the ground.

The Post-Standard reported that by late Monday morning, someone had attempted to scrub clean the message on Huntington Beard Crouse Hall that read "It makes little difference whether you are committed to the career or the county jail," a variation on a Henry David Thoreau quote.

"We are saddened and disappointed that anyone would attempt to exercise that right in such a destructive manner," Interim Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina said in a statement. "These are a set of important and historic buildings that hold great meaning ... and to see them defaced in this manner is disheartening."

Crews from Syracuse University were using power washers to clean off much of the graffiti on the campus buildings.

"I'm not really sure what their motive was, were they trying to see attention or trying to outrage something? I'm not sure but I think it's ridiculous," Second-year student Abigail Gordon told CNYCentral News.

Public safety officer John Sardino told WRVO Radio police are reviewing "significant video raping capabilities" from around the campus to catch the vandals. They believe multiple people are behind the spree.