"Such sub-human behavior will not be tolerated," Hanson said. "This House will be restored to a safe place in which to live for every member of our community."

Hanson said the act stunned a House community that has not experienced a similar event during his time as master.

"When incidents like this occur, the natural response is, 'Winthrop students could not have stooped so low as to inflict such senseless, deep pain on fellow students,'" he said.

In the days since the incident, Hill said he has received an outpouring of sympathy from his Housemates.

"They've been tremendously supportive of me and have expressed the same zero tolerance the Masters and tutors have," Hill said.

He said he was bewildered that anyone in the House could have engaged in such an act.

"With all my interpersonal relations here, everyone has just seemed unbelievably nice," he said.