Official Issues Written Comments on President

A University official has issued written comments in response to numerous queries on the specifics of President Neil L. Rudenstine's medical condition.

James H. Rowe, vice president for government, community and public affairs, reiterated Monday's official statement that the president is taking a medical leave of absence because he "is suffering from severe fatigue and exhaustion of unknown origin," and refused to speculate further.

"Diagnostic studies on an outpatient basis have begun and President Rudenstine continues to rest at his home," the comments read. "A more certain prognosis should be possible after results of the studies are complete."

Joe Wrinn, director of the Harvard News Office, said he had given the comments to several reporters.

In them, Rowe writes that "further information will be available in a timely and appropriate fashion.

"The premature release of piecemeal information would be potentially misleading and unprofessional," Rowe wrote. "Any further comment on speculative inquiries would unnecessarily and inevitably complicate President Rudenstine's medical review."

Monday, the University announced that Rudenstine would be taking a leave of indefinite length, and Dean of the Medical School Dr. Daniel C. Tosteson '46, acting as Rudenstine's medical spokesperson, declined to comment more specifically on the president's condition.

Provost Albert Carnesale is serving as acting president in Rudenstine's absence.