A female student was “accosted by a white male” Sunday night outside Herter Hall, according to a 7:50 text message alert from the University of Massachusetts Police Department.

An email, sent 12 minutes earlier, reported that a female student — who was walking by herself from the W.E.B. Du Bois library to Southwest Residential Area — was approached by a white male outside Herter Hall at approximately 5:14 p.m.

The man, described as white, “approximately 6’2″, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white strings and dark colored jeans… [with] scruffy beard, enlarged nose and bushy eyebrows,” allegedly asked the female student if she needed a ride home.

Upon her refusal, the ” suspect grabbed her backpack from behind and pulled into Herter Hall against her will. The female was able to escape and called police for assistance a short time later,” the email stated.

The statement added that no weapons were shown in the alleged encounter and that the suspect was not found after a search of the area. “Students are urged to use caution when walking alone,” said the statement.  Suspicious activity should be reported to UMPD at 413-545-2121.