LEWISTON — A Bates student was groped by an unknown suspect early Thursday morning while she was walking between Pettengill Hall and Hedge Hall.

According to The Bates Student, a Bates College campus news publication, the student was “approached and grabbed by an unidentified man who then fled toward Russell Street.”

Director of Campus Safety Paul Menice sent out a notice to the college community at about 6:15 a.m. to alert them to the attack. In his note, Menice described the assault as “unprovoked.”

Lewiston police were called hours after the attack occurred and were assisting with an investigation later in the day.

The culprit was described as a 6-foot-tall man with black hair and a black beard. He was said to have been wearing a gray sweatshirt with a hood and white sneakers.

“I ask that you take extra care to be aware of your surroundings as you move around campus,” Menice wrote in his report. “Please report any sightings of someone who appears to match the above description to Campus Safety at either 207-786-6254 or 207-786-6111.”

The reported attack Thursday morning comes roughly a month after a male student was assaulted on campus while walking on Alumni Walk, between Hathorn and Parker. That matter is still being investigated.