Faculty and Staff,

One thing is certain that getting rid of the physical education requirement
will decrease the likelihood that individuals will exercise and develop
healthy lifestyles. The prevailing attitude is that exercise and healthy
lifestyle is expendable, drugs and modern medicine will save us. Well modern
medicine has spoken and said that a healthy lifestyle is an important factor
in PREVENTING (and managing) disease. Is it not better to never get a
disease than have to fight a disease? As someone who regularly follows
statistics for the nation and Tennessee, the national and state situation is
dire. TN ranks in the bottom five nationally for heart disease, diabetes,
obesity, and physical inactivity, and as a nation we rank at the bottom of
all industrialized nations for these diseases/risk factors. Will losing the
PE requirement on the state level change the health statistics of TN.
Intuitively I would say yes, but that outcome will only be apparent many
years down the road. Of importance to remember is that living a healthy
lifestyle is important on a personal level. Proper diet and regular exercise
improves indices of self esteem, productivity and not surprisingly health.
Will PE courses work for everyone? Chances are no, but they will work for
many. These classes give individuals the knowledge about living a healthy
lifestyle, which is the first step in being healthy and preventing disease
and disability.

I would also like to hear other arguments for getting rid of the PE
requirement than we need to get to 120 hrs.  The question I am asking is why
the PE requirement? and the answer I keep hearing is that it is just easier
to get rid of the it (and other university requirements) rather than
anything else, or everyone else (in the state) is doing it. Those arguement
are looking for simple solutions to a complex problem. (Our responsibility
to produce well rounded students.) We are talking about 2 credit hours that
will give MOST students some important information that is not covered in
any other class they are taking (with the possible exceptions of a few EHLS,
PT, nursing and possibly biology classes). Can anyone refer to some facts
and figures for why it is so important to get rid of PE rather than 2 hrs
from the general education requirement?

Sincerely,

Nicholas F. Boer, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies
Dept. 6606
615 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
(423) 425-4745
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-----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.
>