When students at Carleton University checked their emails Monday they were faced with a notice warning them a sexual assault had taken place on campus.
Administrative officials say the assault took place at 3:30 a.m. Sunday and that a female student was sexually touched by an unknown man.
The suspect is described as black, about six feet tall with an average build and short hair. Officials say he was wearing a dark blue or black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and a baseball cap.
The university's safety department is investigating.
Posters have gone up around campus warning students to be careful.
Some students at the university have been fighting to have a sexual assault centre for years.
In 2007, a woman was brutally attacked inside one of the university's science labs.
"This happened on campus and we still don't have a centre to utilize and help victims get through this," says Nada Rehman with Carleton's sexual assault support group.
Over the years, though, administration has worked to boost campus security.
There are nearly 400 cameras and new access cards to buildings.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Department of University Safety at 613-520-4444.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
