Personal experiences at the Ritenour Health Center recently and over the past year indicate that the University's medical facility is seriously deficient in physical structure and financial support. We do not question the abilities or dedication of the staff of the facility; they are providing for the needs of the Penn State community as best they can. We are, however, questioning the dedication of the Penn State administration to a medical center that appears to lack basic facilities.

Specific problems include the following:

-- No handicapped entrance accessible by sidewalk.

-- No accessible restroom for males in wheelchairs.

-- Insufficient staff to handle flu outbreaks and other widespread college illnesses.

-- A lack of air conditioning or screened ventilation keeping insects from treatment areas or minimizing oppressive heat during the summmer.

-- Only two beds in the immediate care area for unstable patients.

-- Inadequate equipment in examination rooms for internal exams.

-- Lack of specialists for examination and/or referral (allergist, orthopedist, etc.)

A number of these deficiencies were apparently noted in a confidential peer review examination conducted last fall. Where is their report and why has it not been discussed openly?

It is critical that the University community examine its health center now before the patient population grows any further, especially as nearly all graduate assistants are now forced to use Ritenour as their primary care facility. It seems obvious to us that a facility designed and built decades ago needs a major overhaul in order to serve the community of today. We hope that this letter will produce comments and concerted action by all concerned.