During the week, students suffering from everything from the common cold to the flu usually make their way to University Health Services in the Ritenour Building for medical attention, but on weekends ill students have a harder time finding local health care.

Erin Hammond (sophomore-engineering) said she was unable to obtain medical advice when she had a question pertaining to a prescription she was given at UHS.

"I was tested for strep-throat and given a medicine to treat my throat on a Thursday. On Friday the results came back negative, but I could not get in touch with a doctor to find out if I should continue taking the medicine because it was past 5 p.m," she said.

Dave Jones, manager of the Office of Emergency Medical Services at Penn State, said there are not many options for students seeking non-emergency health care on weekends. They can either find their own local physician or go to Centre Community Hospital, he said.

Pamela Koons, UHS marketing manager, said health services used to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Ritenour is closed on weekends due to lack of business. A census showed that it was not financially prudent to continue those hours," Koons said.

The clinic does offer urgent care as a walk-in service on weekends. A $16 base fee is charged for using the service, which is for treating minor injuries related to accidents such as sprains or cuts, Koons said.

Hammond said she would not go to UHS to ask about her medicine if it was going to cost $16. She said she would prefer if there were someone there to give her advice on the phone.

Josh Clemens (sophomore-film and video) was not aware that UHS is not open on the weekends.

"I have no idea what to do if I am sick on the weekends, and it is a little discomforting," Clemens said. "I don't think 24-hour service is necessary, but it would be nice to have the security in knowing someone is there for advice a few hours each day."

The hospital is an option for some students -- but it may take awhile to get necessary help.

"The hospital is usually busy on the weekends, and there is almost always a wait," Nancy Mutch, nurse manager in the hospital's emergency department, said. "There are usually double the patients on the weekends."

Ginger Hoover (junior-English) said she has access to a car off campus and would drive to the hospital if she were sick. However, she said, "weekend service at Ritenour would be important to me if I were sick and did not have access to a car, as many people here do not."

Also, the hospital is not permitted to give medical advice over the phone if a student has a question about a medication.

UHS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Wednesday, when it opens at 9. On Saturdays the clinic runs an urgent care unit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.