The incident happened around 7:50 p.m. outside the Kinard building.

“Please be advised that a suspicious person described as a white male, 5’10”, 205 lbs., middle aged, with a scruffy beard approached a female student and grabbed her shoulder from behind and pushed her against the wall,” the e-mail states. “The student screamed and successfully escaped his grasp and ran from the scene.”

Winthrop police are “vigorously investigating this incident,” the e-mail states.

“Please be vigilant at all times, aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and know where the closest emergency call box on campus is located,” the e-mail states.

Anyone with information about the case or the suspect is asked to call Winthrop police at 323-3333. Tips also can be submitted confidentially through the campus police Web page, www.winthrop.edu/campuspolice/silent_witness.