Penn State needs to take action to ensure that women feel safe and are safe on campus. Penn State Police Services' response to a recent alleged offense is a step in the right direction.

A female student reported that she was "touched inappropriately" by a man at about 3:30 p.m. Monday on the second floor of the periodicals section in Pattee Library, Penn State police said.

The offense was initially listed as an indecent assault but was later filed under the harassment category, Penn State Police Supervisor Thomas Sowerby said.

The change was made because the woman was not touched on the chest or below the waist, Sowerby said.

Despite the fact that the incident is no longer categorized as an indecent assault, Penn State police are still conducting an investigation.

"If this person did this once, he may have done this more than once," Sowerby said. Sowerby also encouraged students to report any similar incidents they have experienced.

Penn State police deserve credit for continuing its investigation. The alleged incident should not be excused just because it was not indecent assault.

No Penn State student should have to fear being touched inappropriately in a campus facility. By responding to the Pattee incident and encouraging other students to come forward, whether the incidents they have experienced qualify as indecent assault or not, Penn State police has sent a message that offenses against women will not be tolerated.

Penn State police would have made a terrible mistake if it focused elsewhere after the offense was no longer filed as indecent assault. But doing so would have implied that harassment is not a serious offense, and it would have told women that their safety is not a pressing issue at Penn State.

Safety is most definitely a pressing issue, and until students can go anywhere on campus without fear of harassment, no one should be satisfied. There are still too many incidents of harassment here for anyone to believe Penn State is doing all it can to make sure students feel safe and are safe, but this investigation is a good way to start ensuring students' safety.

Penn State police's active investigation of the alleged offense in Pattee Library is a positive step by the university. We hope this commitment to safety is serious and continues.