Eighteen hours after a reported sexual assault on a Northwestern student was deemed “not a bona fide case,” University officials informed the NU community with a security alert e-mail.

The delay in the e-mail alert was due to a glitch in the University’s bulk e-mail system, said University Spokesman Al Cubbage.

The original e-mail sent to students, faculty and staff Tuesday afternoon reported that a female NU student was sexually assaulted after being forced into an apartment near the Jarvis Red Line El station early Tuesday morning.

Around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Chicago Police Department told Cubbage the sexual assault incident did not occur, Cubbage said. While University officials attempted to send an e-mail update around 6:45 p.m., Cubbage said the e-mail failed because of a problem with the bulk e-mail system.

Cubbage said he notified The Daily, North by Northwestern and the Chicago media around this time.

The e-mail update, sent at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, said CPD detectives interviewed the victim and determined the assault was “not bona fide.” The e-mail also included information on safe means of transportation around campus.

Cubbage said the University sends these alerts as part of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act. The Clery Act requires universities to notify community members of any incidents that are deemed potential threats to the campus community, he said.

“This did not happen on Northwestern’s campus, but it did happen to a Northwestern student,” Cubbage said.

“In our minds, it was a report of a serious offense that did pose a potential danger to the campus community.”

Chicago police declined further comment.