Kansas University police are investigating a rape that occurred this week in a campus parking lot.

Police said the incident occurred between 2:30 a.m. and 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, in parking lot No. 100, which is near 14th and Ohio streets.

A female KU student told police that after leave The Wheel, she was raped by an unknown male, who she described as having a medium build and possibly being white, police said.

In a crime alert, the campus police department encouraged students to be aware of their surroundings, to stay on lighted pathways and to avoid taking shortcuts behind buildings and through parking lots.

“It’s not just about watching out for you, it’s about watching out for everybody,” Captain Schulyer Bailey said, KU police. “If you go out in a group, go home in a group.”

Recent KU graduate Elise Higgens said this latest incident should send a clear message to officials that a lighted pathway is needed in the area.

“The city needs to make creating that lighted pathway a top priority and so does the University of Kansas,” Higgens said. “Student leadership and city leadership really need to work together soon to make the lighted pathway happen.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call KU’s Public Safety Office, at 864-5900, or anonymously to the Crime Stoppers hotline, at 864-8888.