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Hunter College Community Disgusted After Man Gropes Student, Follows Her To Class

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Hunter College community felt shock and disgust, after a student was groped on the subway and then followed to class.

On Tuesday, police were searching for a suspect, but as CBS2's Raegan Medgie reported, some students feel the university should be doing more to protect them.

Surveillance footage shows a man walking into Hunter College, but he isn't a student.

Police said he inappropriately grabbed a student, and then followed her to school, and into the classroom.

"Personally, I think it's disgusting," Lauren Manna said.

"I never thought that would happen right in school," Kaitlyn Torres added.

Police said on Monday around 9:30 a.m. a 19-year-old was getting off a southbound 6-Train at the 68th Street station when she was grabbed on the buttocks and followed onto campus.

"Where's the security that we have at Hunter College. Obviously they're not doing their jobs to let someone literally open up the barricades to go through," Manna said.

Police said he continued following her into the classroom, but when the woman saw him he took off.

"The first thing I thought was -- how did he get into the gates, and why was it so easy for him?" Torres said.

So what should you do in a similar situation?

According to a program director at a martial arts school in the East Village -- first, raise your voice and bring attention to your attacker. Then, grab your phone and start taking pictures, then if you're being followed, lead the attacker to surveillance cameras.

"Even though I feel safe at school, be more aware of who's behind me, and what's going on," Torres said.

It's a good idea as police continue looking for the suspect.

No one from Hunter College would go on camera, but said the school is reviewing the situation and has continued to make every effort to ensure the safety of the entire Hunter community.

Police have released surveillance video showing the suspect walking through turnstiles at the school. The suspect is described as a black man in his 40s, about 5'10" tall, and bald. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, light colored shorts and a backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

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