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.
>