Big Media Coverage for Lincoln
News outlets train a spotlight on controversial requirement
Jonathan Marshall
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
One of those eighty students is Mass Communications major Allycia White. During registration in October, she was informed that she needed to sign up for the course in Spring or face the possibility that she would not walk down the aisle.
"I was shocked," says the Baltimore native, who has a grade point average of 3.8. "The requirement, as I understood it, during freshman year was that we had to take the BMI, but if you were over [the 30 mark] and you could run a mile in fifteen minutes, then you could pass. I know I did it, so no one actually told me I had to take the class."
Some students wonder if the faculty actually thought through the legal and social implications of this policy. Once the policy was adopted, students say that the details of the new policy were not communicated to them in a timely fashion.
DeBoy says that the department is currently working on a system where BMI results can be checked online and says that making the class a requirement for all students might be an option down the road. And in 2011, the new Wellness Center is scheduled to open its doors.
"We don't have unlimited resources as far as having enough faculty to teach all students. It's a question of efficiency," says DeBoy. "We would love to have that opportunity to have a whole slew of activities, but right now we are not there."
White and other students say that they are disappointed that it took national media coverage to put this issue to the forefront and she hopes that the faculty will reverse their previous decision and ban this course as a requirement for graduation.
"It's sad that the administration could not work with students about the issue," says White. "If they want to improve health around campus, they should make everyone take it. To single people out because of appearance is disappointing."
"I was shocked," says the Baltimore native, who has a grade point average of 3.8. "The requirement, as I understood it, during freshman year was that we had to take the BMI, but if you were over [the 30 mark] and you could run a mile in fifteen minutes, then you could pass. I know I did it, so no one actually told me I had to take the class."
Some students wonder if the faculty actually thought through the legal and social implications of this policy. Once the policy was adopted, students say that the details of the new policy were not communicated to them in a timely fashion.
DeBoy says that the department is currently working on a system where BMI results can be checked online and says that making the class a requirement for all students might be an option down the road. And in 2011, the new Wellness Center is scheduled to open its doors.
"We don't have unlimited resources as far as having enough faculty to teach all students. It's a question of efficiency," says DeBoy. "We would love to have that opportunity to have a whole slew of activities, but right now we are not there."
White and other students say that they are disappointed that it took national media coverage to put this issue to the forefront and she hopes that the faculty will reverse their previous decision and ban this course as a requirement for graduation.
"It's sad that the administration could not work with students about the issue," says White. "If they want to improve health around campus, they should make everyone take it. To single people out because of appearance is disappointing."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Dr. Patricia Joseph
posted 11/25/09 @ 11:43 AM EST
Many faculty members and policy experts alike are aware of university policies that have passed and later been reconsidered and/or rescinded once the implementation process shows evidence the policy may not be in the best interest of those intended beneficiaries. (Continued…)
Paul Murphy
posted 11/27/09 @ 10:38 AM EST
www.obesitythunderbay.ning.com
This has been rather helpful to my cause ,in that I want to discuss the the THIN CRAZINESS in the media . 9 U S states are using BMI's to measure children, too bad it fails to measure fitness. (Continued…)
Nancy Hill
posted 11/27/09 @ 3:43 PM EST
I could not believe my eyes when watching the video about this. Does the University have a 'fat police' who monitor the students and do they only pick out the ones that appear to be overweight? What about the anorexics that fall outside of the normal BMI and the football players that probably do too? Are they required to take the class or do they get a free pass? This is clearly discrimination. (Continued…)
susan
posted 11/28/09 @ 5:39 PM EST
What are they thinking? I think they're trying to prepare students as best they can to be successful not only in school but also in the real world.
Obesity contributes to a whole slew of health issues. (Continued…)
Las Vegas Movers | Las Vegas Moving Company
posted 11/30/09 @ 4:49 PM EST
Quote:
"If the university expected that there might be a backlash, it seems to me that a public relations campaign should have been put in place almost immediately to counter the anticipated criticism with documented evidence that show that students who go through this course live a healthier life. (Continued…)
PJ
posted 12/01/09 @ 9:29 AM EST
Do professors, administrators and other university staff have to abide by the same BMI standard to remain employed? They should in order to set a good example. (Continued…)
survivor3306
survivor3306
posted 12/01/09 @ 12:57 PM EST
There are several ways to look at this. In my mind, this policy is a form of blackmail. If Lincoln threatened to withhold my degree and kill it if I didn't agree to pay hundreds of dollars for this humiliating course, then I would agree to their demands. (Continued…)
Allentown Movers
posted 12/02/09 @ 11:41 AM EST
I think the clear solution in this situation is to just require all students to take the physical education course. It certainly won't hurt, even for those who are pretty healthy. (Continued…)
CV services UK
posted 12/23/09 @ 12:01 PM EST
I think that it is not fair.
Russian Wives
posted 3/20/10 @ 9:09 AM EST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
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