Echergay blamed "bad keyboards" in the Science Center--where she reg- ularly worked--for her affliction, which "flared up again this [past] semester with renewed vigor."

Many students said Harvard should take further steps to protect their students.

"They could have better chairs" in the computer lab in the basement of the Science Center, said Harry B. Cargman '97.

Jeff H. Chuang '96 said that if Harvard wanted to prevent the problem "they should get us wrist rests."

Adrienne R. Landau, an employee at UHS Office of Health Education, said many resources are made available for students who experience symptoms of repetitive stress injuries.

The Center for Health Education provides information on repetitive stress injuries as does Environmental Health and Safety, according to Landau.

Landau said while many students enrolled in computer science classes develop repetitive strain injuries, the entire University population is at risk.

"People in academia for any length of time writing anything or doing anything on a computer need to take precautions now," she said.

Precautions include sitting with one's shoulder's relaxed, forearms in a straight line with the terminal and feet flat on the floor. The top of the computer screen should be slightly below eye level, and one's chair should provide proper lower back support, according to Landau.

Cargman said some computer science majors have purchased devices to guard against CTS.

"Some people are a little worried...and they go to extremes," Cargman said. "Some people bring roller blade wrist bands."

Assistant Computer Science Professor Margo I. Seltzer '83, who experienced a bout of CTS three weeks before she turned in her dissertation, stressed the importance of precautionary measures.

"I have been a strong advocate for the past several years of making sure that our labs and offices are equipped with desks and chairs that provide the best possible environment for people working at computers," Seltzer said in an e-mail message yesterday