Incoming students are only required two kinesiology credits, rather than three, to fulfill their general education requirement which has caused Lifetime Wellness to be dropped from the core curriculum as a mandatory class.
The change came into effect for the current catalog year. Freshmen may choose between enrolling in two physical education activity classes or Lifetime Wellness along with one activity class.
Dr. Sheila Jones, chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, said the department was forced to lower its mandatory credits from three to two, and most faculty felt the students should have a say in the classes in which they enroll.
“We feel that Lifetime Wellness is a very good foundational course,” Jones said. “But we also feel that physical activity and enjoying what you do in physical activity is very important.”
Lifetime Wellness is no longer mandatory but remains available as an option for all students. Jones said she encourages students to consider registering for the course either as one of their two required kinesiology credits or as an elective.
“We as a department are sad that (the requirement) was taken down to two (credits),” Jones said. “You can still have two electives as PEACs or Lifetime Wellness, of course. We just want to put that out there, that if you have an elective or two. We have got PEACs or Lifetime Wellness that are available.”
Freshman students appreciate the change.
Josh Mills, freshman youth and family ministry major from Sanger and cross-country athlete, is on the fence about the decision.
“I mean, I kind of know more about my body in general just because of what I put it through every day,” Mills said. “But I guess I kind of have mixed feelings, because it would be kind of cool to know more stuff about it.”
Mills said he felt the course could have been revised so it was not required for collegiate athletes, but still mandatory for other students.
Jones said such an idea has never been brought up in the department.
“(Lifetime Wellness) does have a book with it, of course,” Jones said. “And it just talks about all areas of lifetime wellness. It’s not just the physical activity. We just felt like that was always a good foundational course.”
