THE C L A C K A M A S P R IN T
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JA N . 21, 2015
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V O L . 48 ISSUE 9
Physical education
classes can't compete
by Blake Thomason and Cassidy Scott
Karon Allen, center, leads her aerobics class in a core workout in the gym at Randall Hall. Allens class size has reduced over the past few years.
ith winter registration wrapped up, it is becoming
obvious that one-credit PE, classes are not filling up
the way they used to.
“This year has been tough for everybody, not
just my classes but a lot of PE classes,” Karon Allen,
aerobics teacher, said. “I used to have 50 in a class
and then it dropped to 30, and I’ve never been be
low 20. So it’s been kind of a shock this year; we’re
coming in with about nine students ana you have
to build, say ‘Hey you’re friends need to sign up?’
According to data provided by Chris Sweet, registrar, of the 78 PE classes
available, 46 have less than 10 students enrolled, including 10 classes with only
one student.
One possible reason for this is the competition between three-credit health
classes and the one-credit PE classes. For most degrees, three credits of either
health or PE is required. Many students feel opting for health over PE makes
sense in regards to time and finances.
“They do have some pretty cool PE classes ... but [health] was just really con
venient,” CCC student Sam Hopper said. “I might as well get it done all at once.”
Health classes are also convenient because they can be taken online, unlike
PE classes. Additionally, the three-credit health classes range from $270 to
$300, while the most popular PE classes are $120 for just one credit. That
doesn’t even account for fees that many one-credit classes have, ranging from
$50 to $350. Taking health in place of PE saves students about $60 to $90.
Another possible reason for the drop in enrollment is the lack of a require
ment to take at least one PE class.
“I think we used to have (required PE classes) many years ago,” Allen said.
“W hen it stopped it made a big difference. I think everybody needs physical
exercise.”
Paul Fiskum, a teacher at CCC since 1989, agreed, noting the importance of
physical activity.
Photo by Cassidy Scott
“I think personal health, and
the health classes that are out of
a textbook, certainly have very
good information,” Fiskum saia.
n u t ... I wish we required some
physical activity component. I
th in k the activity po rtio n can
benefit everybody. Having some
activity that gets you moving that
you will continue to do for a life
time, is really what it’s all about.”
Part-tim e teachers depend
on their PE classes filling up, so
there was a lot on the line this
winter as PE classes opened for
registration. Allen was told if she
didn’t have at least 15 students,
her class would be cancelled. For
tunately she was able to get to 15,
but not every class was so fortunate.
“This current term we dropped our karate class that has ran for many, many
years due to low enrollment,” said Jim Martineau, athletic director.
However, most of the students who wanted to take that class can still get
similar instruction in the Self-Defense II class taught by the same instructor.
Both Allen and Fiskum pointed to scheduling conflicts as cause for low enroll
ment. With students missing out on physical activity and teachers at risk of losing
their classes, administrators are looking for possible ways to raise enrollment.
“We are looking at days of the week and times,” Martineau said. “Most all of
our PE-185 classes meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday. This
spring we will try out a Monday/Wednesday schedule in a few select classes to
see if not having the Friday sections helps out our students.”
"This year
has been
tough for
everybody"