A first-year SUNY New Paltz student was found dead in his dorm room on Thursday night, Feb. 6. The cause of death is still unknown.
On Thursday evening, campus police responded to a 911 call and found 18-year-old Eric Vandelaar of Monroe, N.Y. not breathing. No foul play is suspected in Vandelaar's death, according to a university news release.
On Friday morning, university officials released Vandelaar's name, which they had withheld til his family could be notified.
Grief counselors are available on campus to students and staff, the release said:
Members of the residence life staff and the Psychological Counseling Center have been providing grief counseling and assistance to students. The Counseling Center staff is welcoming those students who may feel the need to talk to someone and work through their personal feelings of loss. The Counseling Center can be reached at 845-257-2920. For those employees who are interested in speaking with someone, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available at 845-257-2886.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Eric Vandelaar's family and to the students, faculty, and staff on campus who knew him,” said President Donald P. Christian.
