 | | Editors, Correspondents & Newscasters:
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| | Having learned late yesterday that Mr. Charles Whitman had visited the University Health Center on March 29, 1966, and at that time had been referred to Dr. M. D. Heatly, staff psychiatrist, for private consultation, the University administration has directed the Health Center to make available to law enforcement agencies and the public the complete confidential records of this visit with Dr. Heatly, his only psychiatric appointment at the University.
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| | Mr. Whitman was told to make an appointment for the same day next week, and was informed that if he needed to talk to the therapist, he could call on him at any time during the interval. However, he never returned and was not seen by this therapist or by any other University physician after March 29, 1966.
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| | The University Health Center is a voluntary operation provided by the University for the benefit of students. Psychiatric, as well as medical care is available; but no student is required to take advantage of it. Each student has the right and privilege to select a physician and hospital of his own choice.
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| | Unless a student demonstrates a behavior pattern which would legally justify involuntary commitment, the University has no alternative except to suggest that the student take advantage of its services, and it is up to the student to decide whether he wishes to do so. In this case, the attending physician saw no indication of any legal grounds for commitment, and although he suggested further consultations, the student did not take advantage of them.
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| | Dr. Heatly's conclusion on March 29, 1966, that there was no indication at that time that Whitman was a danger to either himself or the community was consistent with
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