A 21-year-old female student told police an unknown man fondled her and knocked her to the ground while she was running near Wells Hall.

The student had been running along the Red Cedar River at about 11:45 p.m. Jan. 20, when the man approached her from behind, MSU police Detective Tony Willis said. The woman told police the man touched her inappropriately and fled the area northbound across the footbridge near Wells Hall.

She did not give police a detailed description of the man. An investigation is ongoing.

The incident is the second reported criminal sexual conduct on campus this year. An 18-year-old female student told police she was sexually assaulted in her dorm room Jan. 20 by a man she met at an East Lansing party. Police are searching for the unknown man.

Experts estimate 50 sexual assaults occur on MSU’s campus each year, although many go unreported. Nine cases of criminal sexual conduct of various natures were reported on campus last year.

Willis encouraged students to travel in groups as much as possible on campus and use the emergency “green light” telephones if they feel uncomfortable or are in danger.