A 20-year-old male student from UMass Dartmouth has died of an apparent accidental drug overdose on Jan. 29, according to authorities at the university.

In an email sent to the campus community early Saturday morning, David Milstone, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, wrote that the student, who was not named, was found in his room in Birch Hall at approximatively 11 p.m. on Friday night. University and state police are investigating the case.

Acting Chacellor Gerry Kavanaugh sent an email to the campus community on Jan. 30 at noon, writing that “If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s health and well-being, there are many resources available to assist you, including our Peer Health Educators, LiveWell: The Office of Health Education, Promotion, and Wellness, the Counseling Center, and Health Services.”

Kavanaugh wrote that authorities have contacted the student’s family and several of his friends.

“I cannot begin to comprehend the pain that his family and friends must be feeling today. The loss of such a young and potential-filled life is especially hard to comprehend,” he wrote.

Kavanaugh suggest that students who need assistance coping can visit the Counseling Center, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Students can make an appointment by calling 508-999-8648 or ext. 8650. The Counseling Center also has daily walk-in hours from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.