Big Media Coverage for Lincoln
News outlets train a spotlight on controversial requirement
Jonathan Marshall
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
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The media coverage began last week after The Lincolnian, the student newspaper reported about the requirement. Other media outlets including The Associated Press, The Chronicle of Higher Education, BBC and CNN jumped on the story.
At the center of the controversy is Dr. James L. DeBoy, the chair of Lincoln's Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. DeBoy has been featured on local and national media defending the university's policy.
On this day, DeBoy is in his office fielding phone calls and interview requests from media across the world. He has even gotten calls from schools interested in implementing similar policies. DeBoy is not shocked at Lincoln's new found celebrity status.
"I'm not surprised," he says. "I told the faculty when we passed this (BMI standard) four years ago that this is new territory. We're going to get criticized. We would be perceived as mean spirited, discriminating, and evil. That goes with the territory. But HBCU's have always been criticized and they always will be. The question is, are we strong enough to stand tall and do what we have to do?"
Some faculty members are already pushing to eliminate the requirement, and the issue will be discussed at the next faculty meeting scheduled for December 4.
First year sports information director Chris Weeden says that the media exposure could serve as a teaching lesson for the university.
"The power of the spoken and written word is tremendous," he says. "A small college in rural Pennsylvania is now national news. This is an unheard amount of attention. You have to tip your hat off to the students who raised the concern. I think that there is some positive. Perhaps the curriculum can be enhanced. I think that's what everybody wants to see."
Fair or not, DeBoy has had to take on the displeasure of the eighty seniors who did not meet the fitness requirement by taking the "Fitness for Life" course in order to graduate in May.
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members and policy experts alike are aware of university policies that have passed and later been reconsidered and/or rescinded once the implementation process shows evidence the policy may not be in the best interest of those intended beneficiaries.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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