The president of Central Michigan University said he was “deeply disappointed” over an antisemitic Valentine’s Day card that was handed out to students on campus.

The card displayed an image of Adolf Hitler alongside the words “my love 4 u burns like 6,000 Jews”, according to Central Michigan Life, a student newspaper.

It was believed to have been produced during a meeting held by the College Republicans group on Wednesday, and handed out by a member afterwards.

The Republican group has apologised and since distanced itself from the member who handed it out. The group added that the card was “very inappropriate” and a mistake.

University president George Ross said campus leaders met on Thursday morning “to review the situation and determine next steps”.

He said: “​This is not who we are as a campus community.

“Such hurtful, offensive language, while protected by the First Amendment, is unacceptable and is not consistent with our values and standards.”

In a statement, the College Republicans group said: “At tonight’s meeting, we had a Valentine’s Day party, in which each member decorated a bag and other members placed valentines inside of others’ bags.

“Unfortunately, a very inappropriate card was placed into a bag without other members’ knowledge.

“A bag was then given away to students sitting in Anspach [Hall], once again without members’ knowledge of its contents.

“The College Republicans as an organisation did not distribute this valentine. We in no way condone this type of rhetoric or antisemitism.

“We apologise for any offence and want students to know that we do not tolerate this sort of behaviour.”