Physical Education on College Campuses

1. Physical Education on College Campuses Adrienne Cocci and Jennifer Rakoff

2. Physical Education on College Campuses • Ithaca College does not have a physical education requirement. However, various colleges and universities, including Cornell University, our neighboring college campus, mandate some sort of physical education requirement. Some college campuses, like Cornell require a swim test while others demand that students enroll in classes that provide credit towards a physical education requirement. • Purpose of Survey • The purpose of this survey was to see what current college students felt about adding physical education requirements to graduation requirements. • How Was Survey Conducted? The survey that was conducted was sample of convenience. In this, students answered questions to this survey on their own free will. Classmates were emailed the survey, and a follow up email was sent the day before data was collected. Results were based on the number of surveys that were completed. Physical Education On College Campuses

3. Survey Results

4. Question and Results • Discussion • Results • In general, what is you opinion on having physical education be a graduation requirement at Ithaca College? Support for a physical education requirement From the data collected, there were 8 people who supported a physical education requirement on college campuses while 4 remained neutral and 6 opposed the physical education requirement. From this it is concluded that there is no general consensus on whether Ithaca College students agree of disagree to have a physical education requirement.

5. Discussion • Results • Overwhelmingly, students agree that extracurricular activities that include physical activity should count as part of a physical education requirement. There is the most support for varsity and club sports to be considered adequate fulfillments of the physical education requirement. What Counts as a Physical education requirement?

6. Do you have any additional recommendations for activities that would be adequate to fulfill a physical education requirement? If so please name them. Other Examples of Physical Education Requirements 12 People responded to this question. The responses were reviewed and the most common ideas are represented below. A majority of the student surveyors believe that free exercise at the gym, PALS (physical activity leisure and safety) courses at Ithaca college, and ROTC training should be counted as credit towards a physical education requirement. ROTC Training at Ithaca College Ithaca College Fitness Center

7. Question and Results • Discussion • Results Number of Semesters How many semesters should the Physical Education Requirement Include? A majority of the surveyed students believe that one to two semesters is sufficient in fulfilling a physical education requirement.

8. Question and Results • Discussion • Results • Do you think having a physical Education Requirement will result in a student having a healthier lifestyle? Healthier Lifestyle Most students believe that having a physical education requirement will result in a healthier lifestyle for college students. With a physical education requirement , there will be an increase in physical activity and fitness among college students.

9. Model of Student Activity • Summary • There is no consensus as to whether or not Ithaca College should have a physical education requirement. Those who support the requirement feel that the requirement can be fulfilled in one to two semesters. Sports, and aerobics classes seem to be considered adequate to fulfill the physical education requirement. Summary