The intruder got into an unlocked dorm room at the Livingston campus in Pisacataway and "made unwanted sexual contact" on a sleeping resident, Rutgers Police Chief Kenneth Cop said.
He then fled when the victim awoke, Cop said.
The chief didn't say whether or not the victim is a student. Nor did he identify the person's gender.
He said the victim, who wasn't injured, described the assailant as a thinly built Hispanic or Indian man about 20 years old and 5-foot-7, with black hair and wearing glasses, a pink shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone who might have seen something or has information that could help investigators is asked to contact the Rutgers Police Detective Bureau: (848) 932-8025.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Paramus and receive free news updates.