|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rice Thresher
Phone:
|
by Meghan Miller thresher staff Many students were surprised to walk into Autry Court last week and see signs telling them that purple and blue gym uniforms are still mandatory. Last semester, the kinesiology department decided uniforms would no longer be required for people who are exercising or playing intramural sports in the gym. The decision stemmed from an idea proposed by the Student Association Sports and Health committee. But the reorganization of the kinesiology department has prevented those changes from happening. The Office of Student Affairs will take over the management of physical activities programs and facility supervision duties, effective July 1. This will allow the kinesiology department, a division of the School of Humanities, to focus more on teaching and research, said a statement issued by interim Dean of Humanities Gale Stokes and Vice President for Student Affairs Zenaido Camacho. Discussion on changing the uniform policy has been tabled in favor of discussing more pressing issues. "There are more important things going on in that restructuring than getting our uniforms changed," SA Senator Lindsay Cover said. "We're going to try to get it done, but it's not going be as soon as we had hoped." Cover, who heads the SA Sports and Health Committee, had previously announced that the uniforms would probably become optional by this semester at the Nov. 13 SA meeting. The committee also reported at the meeting that increased supervision at the gym will better ensure patrons' safety. Also, it reported that some students do not use the gym because they do not like the uniforms. According to the statement Stokes and Camacho issued, Student Center Director Boyd Beckwith will oversee the LPAP, dance and recreational programs in addition to the recreational facilities in the gym. Health Education Director Kim Lopez will supervise the wellness program and Director of Student Activities Mona Hicks will oversee intramural sports and club sports. The kinesiology department will only be responsible for academics. "It has all kinds of tracks in there but it still has other things ... stuff that's not particularly academic," Stokes said. "The idea is to separate these into two separate entities so Kinesiology can develop as an academic department." Hicks said she thinks separating the academic aspect of the department from its other functions is logical and beneficial to students. "It makes sense for it to be in manageable chunks because otherwise it doesn't serve the students well if people have these crazy responsibilities that they can't support," she said. Exact plans for the new divisions have yet to be set. Stokes said he hopes to have an agreement worked out by February so both the new kinesiology department and Student Affairs can determine next year's budgets. "It's been hard to come up with a kind of plan because the academics have been muddied by the other stuff," Stokes said. "I don't have a plan." Stokes said some discussion has centered around moving kinesiology to the School of Social Sciences, but nothing has been decided. Stokes is certain, however, that the department will continue to exist. "We can't just send it out to sea. We have to figure out a good proper thing to do for it," Stokes said. Also tabled for later discussion is the Lifetime Physical Activity Program requirement. Some faculty members have proposed that LPAP classes not be required for graduation. History Department Chair John Zammito, who heads the University Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum, said this has been suggested to the committee but has not yet been reviewed. "Our agenda is very full. It's something we'll get to, but not yet," Zammito said. Even if LPAP classes were not required for graduation, they will still be offered, Stokes said.
- back - |
|
|
Search the Thresher pages:
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
