THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education should be a required subject for the same reason
that other worthwhile subjects are required. Many luman beings are lazy. While
recognizing the value of daily exercise, it is frequently easier to do something
else, or just not do anything. It is the same situation as would obtain were
students allowed to choose whether they would take English or not. Many would
avoid taking English, even though recognizing its worth.

Furthermore, under an entirely elective systen, those stulents who need
physical education most would avoid it and those needing it least would elect it.
Under the required-elective system, which is being proposed, the student would have
a wide choice of activities of his own choosing, but would be required to take some
form of physical education during the freshman and sophomore years, (It would
probably be desirable to continue the compulsory program during all four years of
college but due to limitations of staff and facilities, such a plan is not being
proposed. ) :

The objectives in the proposed program are as follows:

(1) To develop and mintain at least a minimm degree of physical
fitness. Physical education is not a subject that oan be learned once and dropped.
it mst be a continuing experience if it is to accomplish its purpose. Veterans
end high school students who have been accustomed to vigorous muscular activities
should not drop all physical activity entirely the mimite they enter college, but
for the sake of their own health and well-being should be required to take some
physical exercise.

(2) To develop skills in certain recreational activities of the students’
own choosing which will be interesting and worthwhile not only during their college
days but for their carry-ever value in later life.

(3) Zo insure that every student will be able to swim at least moderately
well. The worthwhileness of this objective has been brought home to us in the