A University of Massachusetts student was ­assaulted Tuesday as she walked toward the Sydney Street entrance of the JFK/­UMass MBTA station in Dorchester, an area that neighbors have long said needs more surveillance.

The woman, whose identity was not released, told MBTA and UMass police that she was assaulted at about 12:30 p.m. while she walked through the parking area near the entrance to the Red Line station.