[Caedus]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C3GV502.html

A Pennsylvania university's requirement that overweight undergraduates take a fitness course to receive their degrees has raised the hackles of students and the eyebrows of health and legal experts.

Officials at historically black Lincoln University said Friday that the school is simply concerned about high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community.

"We know we're in the midst of an obesity epidemic," said James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln's department of health, physical education and recreation. "We have an obligation to address this head on, knowing full well there's going to be some fallout."

The fallout began this week on Lincoln's campus about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, where seniors - the first class affected by the mandate - began realizing their last chance to take the class would be this spring.

Tiana Lawson, a 21-year-old senior, wrote in this week's edition of The Lincolnian, the student newspaper, that she "didn't come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range. I came here to get an education."

In an interview Friday, Lawson said she has no problem with getting healthy or losing weight. But she does have a problem with larger students being singled out.

"If Lincoln truly is concerned about everyone being healthy, then everyone should have to take this gym class, not just people who happen to be bigger," she said.

The mandate, which took effect for freshmen entering in fall 2006, requires students to get tested for their body mass index, a measure of weight to height.

A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Students with one that's 30 or above - considered obese - are required to take a class called "Fitness for Life," which meets three hours a week.

If the fatties really were opposed to taking this class then they shouldn't of even bothered with applying to the school in the first place.

[oldfella1962]

Jesus P. God - we are the most bitching, whining, pussy nation when it comes to some things. I pray that the folks opposed to this new policy are in the minority.

If my kids were in this school ( and it was on my dime) and needed to take this course to graduate, I'd tell them to get their ample asses in gear, toot sweet!

[Ash]

My university required 4 fitness classes to graduate. A lot of the choices weren't much for fitness (like archery), but there was one fitness class that was required for everyone and it basically consisted of running and sit ups.

[skinofevil]

"We have an obligation to address this..."

Skin feels for this gentleman. It must be burdensome in the extreme to have such obligations placed upon himself and his colleagues, especially when it comes to obligations like this one, which have nothing whatsoever to do with his and their roles as educators.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by skinofevil

Skin feels for this gentleman. It must be burdensome in the extreme to have such obligations placed upon himself and his colleagues, especially when it comes to obligations like this one, which have nothing whatsoever to do with his and their roles as educators.

In loco parentis

[skinofevil]

Skin's pretty certain that it's really just loco that applies to this story.

[Mallory]

Originally Posted by Ash

My university required 4 fitness classes to graduate. A lot of the choices weren't much for fitness (like archery), but there was one fitness class that was required for everyone and it basically consisted of running and sit ups.

I had to take two back in the 70s. One of the two I took was bowling, which was held off-campus at a local bowling alley. They had a bar and you could smoke. Best college course I ever took.

[Beck]

O.K. It's called TRANSFER (if you just can't stand it).

[Chaos Descending]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

In loco parentis

College students are typically over the age of 18, and don't require ANYONE to be in loco of their parentis.

[Sarek]

Honestly, I expected most of the people here to tell the university it's none of their goddamn business what I decide to eat and when I decide to exercise as long as my check clears and my work is handed in on time to my Professors. Because that's how I feel about it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Allen, I'd love to issue you the college degree you have been working on for years and that not only have you kept high grades, but have paid large sums of money to reach your goal. Unfortunately, your BMI is 31, which means you can't receive your degree. Sorry, fatty."


J.

[Chaos Descending]

Originally Posted by John

Honestly, I expected most of the people here to tell the university it's none of their goddamn business what I decide to eat and when I decide to exercise as long as my check clears and my work is handed in on time to my Professors. Because that's how I feel about it.

I agree with you on this.

[Ash]

Originally Posted by Chaos Descending

I agree with you on this.

Why? Why is physical education not the province of a university?

[skinofevil]

It is. Physical Education is. But this sounds like it's more far-reaching than that.

[Ash]

Originally Posted by skinofevil

It is. Physical Education is. But this sounds like it's more far-reaching than that.

You may be right. The weight/BMI thing does sound like bullshit. However, I don't think there's anything wrong with requiring students to pass a basic fitness class.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by Chaos Descending

College students are typically over the age of 18, and don't require ANYONE to be in loco of their parentis.

Legally no, but the term doesn't just mean guardianship, but just acting for the best interest of the student in the absence of parents.

[Tamar Garish]

Good..

You won't mind then that it should also be a requirement to prove you don't smoke and to be forced to take treatment if you do in order to graduate.

The same thing with drugs. The same thing with promiscuous sex. These are unhealthy activities and they would be remiss in not dealing with them before letting these people graduate.

Teach them early that their personal choices are not and it is the purview of authority to withhold things you have earned until you comply with their standards.

If healthy is a requirement to graduate now then there are a whole lot of other people they need to deal with as well.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by John

Honestly, I expected most of the people here to tell the university it's none of their goddamn business what I decide to eat and when I decide to exercise as long as my check clears and my work is handed in on time to my Professors. Because that's how I feel about it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Allen, I'd love to issue you the college degree you have been working on for years and that not only have you kept high grades, but have paid large sums of money to reach your goal. Unfortunately, your BMI is 31, which means you can't receive your degree. Sorry, fatty."


J.

Yeah, b/c most colleges don't have a creed similar to this:

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.

Look, college isn't just about taking classes and getting grades. If you want that go online or look for night classes. But your traditional 4 year college is generally concerned with your mental, physical and spiritual growth and well-being.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by Tamar Garish

Teach them early that their personal choices are not and it is the purview of authority to withhold things you have earned until you comply with their standards.

Uh how did they earn it if they didn't meet the standards?



Look colleges and universities have pretty much always had things required of students.

Was it a slap to Mac users that all students had to take a course on Office if you didn't pass some test? My school decided knowing how to work Office was a basic life skill they wanted their students to posses regardless of field of study. Same applies here, if you fail to demonstrate that you know how to live and eat healthily then you have to take a class on how to do so. I'm not seeing much of a difference.

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

Yeah, b/c most colleges don't have a creed similar to this:

Look, college isn't just about taking classes and getting grades. If you want that go online or look for night classes. But your traditional 4 year college is generally concerned with your mental, physical and spiritual growth and well-being.

So, according to that creed, Atheists aren't welcome either. Interesting.

J.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by John

So, according to that creed, Atheists aren't welcome either. Interesting.

J.

In Iran Alabama we don't have homosexuals Atheists like in your country. Ahmadinejad Ancalagon

[Chaos Descending]

Originally Posted by Ash

Why? Why is physical education not the province of a university?

Why would it be?

Why would someone with an EE with emphasis on semiconductor design (for example) need to be able to do 100 situps?

[Chaos Descending]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

Legally no, but the term doesn't just mean guardianship, but just acting for the best interest of the student in the absence of parents.

Again, most college students are over the age of 18, and don't require anyone "acting for the best interest of the student in the absence of parents".

I don't understand why we're having a difference of opinion over this.

[LizK]

Originally Posted by oldfella1962

Jesus P. God - we are the most bitching, whining, pussy nation when it comes to some things. I pray that the folks opposed to this new policy are in the minority.

If my kids were in this school ( and it was on my dime) and needed to take this course to graduate, I'd tell them to get their ample asses in gear, toot sweet!

To my mind, the bitching and whining isn't so much that the class was required, but that only the overweight students were required to take it.
If it's going to be required as a core curriculum course, then EVERYBODY - fat or skinny, diabetic or not - needs to take the course.

[LizK]

Originally Posted by Ash

You may be right. The weight/BMI thing does sound like bullshit. However, I don't think there's anything wrong with requiring students to pass a basic fitness class.

So long as it is ALL students

[Jamey Whistler]

Originally Posted by Chaos Descending

Again, most college students are over the age of 18, and don't require anyone "acting for the best interest of the student in the absence of parents".

Isn't that the whole point of higher education? When one has reached college, he or she has "flown the nest". The institution is not there to act in place of a parent any longer, it's there to offer a service.

By this time, it's incumbent upon the student to see to his own health and physical welfare.

Then again, colleges and universities could just say up front, without all the we're-concerned-for-your-health nonsense, "Look, we can't pay coaches just for sports programs. Everyone is taking a phys-ed course so that the dumb jocks we've hired to herd the goons through football season actually appear to be earning their keep."

[Demiurge]

There's a clear way to deal with this - vote with your bank account.

The problem becomes when it's no longer a choice, but a regulation. That's why so many folks don't like the government.

[Rob Matter]

Lincoln University? Really? Sounds like a top-notch school, there.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by Chaos Descending

Why would it be?

Why would someone with an EE with emphasis on semiconductor design (for example) need to be able to do 100 situps?

Why do are all Auburn students regardless of field of study need to take Great Books 1 & 2?

Why do all Spring Hill students have to take 12 hours of Philosophy and 12 hours of Theology?

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by Chaos Descending

Again, most college students are over the age of 18, and don't require anyone "acting for the best interest of the student in the absence of parents".

I don't understand why we're having a difference of opinion over this.

B/c you don't seem to know many college age students.

Also you seem to be stuck on this idea that college is only about taking classes. Maybe yours was like that, but the two I attended made it very clear that their purpose was growth of Mind Body and Spirit.

[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by LizK

To my mind, the bitching and whining isn't so much that the class was required, but that only the overweight students were required to take it.
If it's going to be required as a core curriculum course, then EVERYBODY - fat or skinny, diabetic or not - needs to take the course.

Auburn University used to believe that Swimming is a life skill that their graduates must have, regardless of field of study. If you could swim, great do a couple laps, and you were good. Couldn't swim you had to take remedial swimming.

This school believes that learning how not to be a Fatty McFaterson is a life skill, those who demonstrate they can do it, were good. Those who can't have to take remedial fitness.