It's interesting that Barbara raises the age issue.  I've always thought it
odd that someone aged 24 "needs" physical education, but someone aged 25
does not.  I might be more sympathetic to the requirement if we thought it
was important to everyone rather than people in a certain age group.  If our
goal to teach folks the value of maintaining a heathy lifestyle, it makes
more sense to me to require everyone to take a 3-hour academic course in
health/nutrition rather than a laboratory in a particular form of exercise.
It's not our mission to force people into exercising, but to educate them
about the benefits so they can make informed decisions about their own
health.

Debbie



----- Original Message -----
From: "Barbara Webb" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] Is physical education expendable?


> When I was an undergrad, I was old,  and could have exempted myself from
> the physical education requirement; but, instead, I took the opportunity
to
> learn how to play tennis. I had a great time and was able to fit physical
> activity in to my schedule. I also took a class in health and first aid
and
> learned a lot of life saving techniques that I hope I never have to use. I
> should probably take a class every semester. I know my health would
> certainly benefit.
>
> Just my 2cents -
> Barbara
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: UTC Staff E-Mail List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Melissa Burchfield
> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 3:32 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Is physical education expendable?
>
> When I was an undergraduate, I was required to take SIX hours of physical
> education "activity" courses.  That requirement did more to make me hate
> exercise than anything that's happened to me before or since.  My
> conversations with current students indicate that many of them have the
same
> reaction to UTC's requirement.  I don't think we can assume that requiring
> students to take physical education courses will result in their adopting
> healthier lifestyles in the short or the long term.
>
> Since UTC is being forced to comply with the 120 hour rule, cutting 2
hours
> of physical education seems a reasonable move.  I think it's a much better
> strategy than cutting 2 hours of major courses.
>
> Melissa Burchfield
> UHON Program Secretary
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Laura Mincy" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 12:43 PM
> Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Is physical education expendable?
>
>
> > I have heard that the Faculty Senate is proposing to eliminate
> > physical education requirements.  I understand that some hours need to
> > be shaved
> off
> > but is this a message that we want to send?  Over the years, Americans
> > (me
> > included) are getting more sedentary and fatter.  Thusly, the rates
> > for obesity-related diseased are through the roof.  We need to be
> > stressing
> the
> > importance of a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and exercise--not
> > ignoring it.
> >
>