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The Rice Thresher
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Michael Nalepa Thresher Opinions Editor I went to the Registrar’s Office the other day just to make sure that I was actually going to graduate next semester. As I ran my finger down the requirement column on the audit, everything appeared to be in order. Then I got to the bottom. The LPAP section had a big “FAIL” next to it. So, next semester, I get to take two Lifetime Physical Activity Program courses. I guess I should have fulfilled these physical education requirements earlier, but I already felt like I was getting enough exercise everyday as a varsity track and cross country runner. True, I’m not on the team this year, so LPAP will be a good way for me to stay in shape. But, there are still a lot of people at Rice who are varsity athletes. They also will have to take two semesters of LPAP at some point during their Rice academic careers. And that is a little ridiculous. If you are a basketball player, why should you have to play pickup games in gym class that take away energy that you could be spending in practice or a game? Can distance runners truly supplement their training with “Walk, Jog, Run”? And what fun would it really be to play a tennis match with someone who won a major intercollegiate tournament the weekend before? It would also be pretty sad to have a Rice athlete sidelined from an LPAP-related injury. Most varsity teams at Rice have large portions of the day blocked out for practice, and this obviously creates class conflicts for athletes. LPAP just adds to this. It’s true that every student has to find a way to fit in LPAP, but this becomes harder when you are already cramming your classes into the mornings and early afternoon so that you can spend the rest of the day on the field. You could argue that the same time crunch exists for students with labs, but labs actually give you credit and count toward your major. LPAP is worth a whopping zero credit hours. Speaking of credit, Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate diplomas allow students to receive credit for Rice introductory courses. If students can place out of Chemistry 121, why can’t varsity athletes place out of physical education? A good policy change might be to have a semester as a varsity athlete count as fulfilling a semester of the LPAP requirement. Varsity athletes account for about 10 percent of the undergraduate student body. Having this many fewer students enrolled in LPAP wouldn’t really bring about any big changes in the program, since it would basically mean that there would be about two fewer students in each class of 20. Removing this requirement for athletes would allow them to take an extra class or two toward their major or perhaps even for enjoyment. They might have an extra two hours a week to study, or added free time to spend a little extra time in their colleges or with their friends. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with LPAP in principle. Exercise is a great stress reliever, not to mention the fact that it helps you look better, feel better and not die as soon. LPAP encourages students to pursue healthy habits and to live a life that includes exercise and good nutrition. These are all good things. But varsity athletes are already exercising a great deal. Most of them train every day, all year round. Having them take LPAP is just preaching to the choir. Michael Nalepa is opinion editor and a Lovett College senior.
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