Spring Break
Editorial: Activity classes are unnecessary
State Hornet Staff
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Opinion
In times of budget cuts and core class eliminations, it's important to examine what classes are necessary to keep at Sacramento State and which ones we could do without.
As administrators prepare next year's budget, The State Hornet would like to offer some suggestions on which courses should be cut instead of core classes students need to graduate.
The Hornet suggests cutting some of the academic activity courses, since those courses can count toward general education units, but are not required for students to graduate.
Academic activity courses are physical education classes that teach the skills and knowledge of sports and physical activity. These courses include ballroom dance, folk dance, basketball, softball, etc.
Granted, some of these activity classes can be practical and beneficial, such as self-defense classes and weight-training courses. However, as much fun as it is to take courses, such as beginning sailing, basic windsurfing and scuba diving, it does not seem beneficial to keep them.
Many general education class sections, such as English and economics, are being cut. As a result, remaining sections become overcrowded. This makes it more difficult for students to get the classes they need in order to graduate on time. Larger classes also produce a bigger workload for instructors who are less able to give students the attention they need.
Some students end up enrolling in classes that do not relate to their majors but still count toward their graduation requirements. This is quite a cumbersome way to complete college.
Fred Baldini, chair of the kinesiology and health science department, stresses the importance of students enrolling in academic activity courses because it is a way for students to stay physically fit amidst rampant obesity.
"These activity courses are just as important as any other course offered at Sac State, along the same level as English, arithmetic and music," Baldini said. "Not only do these classes teach students the fundamental skills of staying physically fit...but it's extra motivation for students to take an activity course. When students take an activity class, it forces them to attend the class and participate in it physically."
As administrators prepare next year's budget, The State Hornet would like to offer some suggestions on which courses should be cut instead of core classes students need to graduate.
The Hornet suggests cutting some of the academic activity courses, since those courses can count toward general education units, but are not required for students to graduate.
Academic activity courses are physical education classes that teach the skills and knowledge of sports and physical activity. These courses include ballroom dance, folk dance, basketball, softball, etc.
Granted, some of these activity classes can be practical and beneficial, such as self-defense classes and weight-training courses. However, as much fun as it is to take courses, such as beginning sailing, basic windsurfing and scuba diving, it does not seem beneficial to keep them.
Many general education class sections, such as English and economics, are being cut. As a result, remaining sections become overcrowded. This makes it more difficult for students to get the classes they need in order to graduate on time. Larger classes also produce a bigger workload for instructors who are less able to give students the attention they need.
Some students end up enrolling in classes that do not relate to their majors but still count toward their graduation requirements. This is quite a cumbersome way to complete college.
Fred Baldini, chair of the kinesiology and health science department, stresses the importance of students enrolling in academic activity courses because it is a way for students to stay physically fit amidst rampant obesity.
"These activity courses are just as important as any other course offered at Sac State, along the same level as English, arithmetic and music," Baldini said. "Not only do these classes teach students the fundamental skills of staying physically fit...but it's extra motivation for students to take an activity course. When students take an activity class, it forces them to attend the class and participate in it physically."
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how about
posted 4/08/09 @ 10:33 AM PST
we cut the editorial section of the hornet, it is also unneeded
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