Dance Slimnastics instructor Jaynese
Hiigel shows her students how it's done.
The popular class is part of the PE.
department s new SHAPE courses.
Program lets students get in SHAPE
A 75-year-old University tradition was
broken when physical education
activities classes were changed from
mandatory requirements to elective
courses
Some faculty in the P E department
have even taken to calling the new
program a 'health and fitness club "
The "club'' is the P E department's
answer to state budget cuts that goes by
the acronym SHAPE
"The purpose of this program Is to
establish course offerings (credit and
non-credit) that would be
self-supporting through additional
fees," says Mike Reuter, associate
physical education professor
Physical education department
officials aren't sure why the state
legislators decided to eliminate funds
for student-activity courses
Some legislators hold a deep
antagonism for athletics, and physical
education often is considered to be
athletics, says Celeste Ulrich, dean of
the Health, Physical Education and
Recreation department
' As a result, legislators lump the two
together like comic books and
Shakespeare,” Ulrich says
Last July, when the department saw
the cutbacks coming, a four-member
committee formed to seek alternatives
for continuing student activity courses
As a result, a specialized "for the
consumer, by the consumer” concept
developed
One of SHAPE'S main advantages,
Reuter explains, is that "the market
forces will continue to tailor the needs
of the students and community.”
The committee realizes it takes time
for students and Eugene area residents
to become familiar with SHAPE
Students do not realize it yet, but they
need this type of program, says Mike
Ellis, head of the P E department
"When students are stuck in a place
with no where to go or anything to do,
they'll realize SHAPE is exactly what
they're looking tor," Ellis says
Despite the 5.3 percent enrollment
decline this winter, registration in
physical education activity classes is
81 57 percent compared to winter
enrollment a year ago.
As long as the courses do not cost too
much and do not have too many
regulations, Ellis says more people will
participate in SHAPE.
The proposed average cost for a
SHAPE course is $20 The fee will go to
pay the instructor 's salary plus any
special equipment or transportation
fees
Because the department now is
independent from the University budget,
it has no choice but to derive funds
directly from consumers
Demand will determine which SHAPE
courses are offered Sections will be
reduced where the participation is
lowest For Fall 1982, when SHAPE
goes into full effect, courses will be
offered according to a student survey
taken during the 1981 fall quarter as
well as from pilot SHAPE classes this
winter and spring
Reuter says the department was
pleased with the 2,320 survey responses
received
After considering the fee for a SHAPE
course, 47 percent of the respondents
said they would be interested in
enrolling in one or more classes
beginning next fall. That number could
drop, though The $49 tuition surcharge
had not been announced at the time the
questionnaire was distributed
The department is aware that
students' major considerations will be
the economic conditions and the tuition
cost before registering for a SHAPE
class next fall
From the survey responses and
course enrollment, SHAPE may exceed
the department's minimum goal of 2,000
students per term, Reuter says.
Of the SHAPE classes offered this
term, the 'thing that went best was the
rhythmic activities like slimnastics," Ellis
says.
When SHAPE goes into full swing
next fall, classes offered will be based
upon predicted enrollment and the
present class distribution during winter
and spring quarters.
Fifteen SHAPE courses are offered
this quarter. Approximately 136 students
are already taking advantage of SHAPE
Ellis says the enrollment figures for
SHAPE’S initial “take-off" appear
promising.
"It looks like we re going to have
enough paying participants to support
the faculty and program ."
"It’s really pretty amazing that so
many students are enrolled in activity
courses without the requirement
People are becoming a lot more activity
conscious and realizing the enjoyment
they get out of it.”
University administrators back the
program. The department already has
received calls inquiring about SHAPE
from other universities facing financial
cutbacks
The committee, backed by the
department’s faculty, feels confident
about their plan.
"We will be able to survive here
because people like to be in shape,”
Ellis says
By Catherine Cornils
Photos by Duane Schrag
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