Physical education program kicks the bucket
By: Folasade Omogun
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Sports
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The P.E. program, which offered courses in tennis, fitness, golf and volleyball, was cut out of CAU's core curriculum due to the economic crisis. This program, which had been a part of the curriculum since the birth of CAU, was compromised of three full -time and two adjuncts professors, which were all let go.
"The university has to make decisions. If we didn't correct it, we would end up without a university and everything would be lost," said Trevor Tuner, interim director of CAU's education department.
Longtime faculty member and former coordinator for physical education activities, Dr. Doris Terrell was one of the faculty members let go. Dr. Terrell, who has been teaching for more than 20 years, said she didn't see it coming, but understood why the program had to be cut out.
"Its something that had to happen to keep this university going," Dr. Terrell said.
Dr. Terrell said she plans to begin teaching at another institution, but will always be connected to the university.
Leteria Clemons and Coach Elmer Mixon, also longtime faculty members of the department, decided to go into retirement after they received notification of the cut.
"It is a decision we had to live with," Turner said when referring to the education department's reaction to the news. "It wasn't easy seeing them go, but we all have to move forward."
While P.E. courses were designed to encourage students to recognize the impact of good health and exercise, Turner said the university is encouraging students to participate in CAU's intramural sports as an alternate.
"We still have a gym, we still have a tennis court," Tuner said.
The university designed a waiver which allows seniors, who have not already taken a course in P.E, to graduate on time. Turner said the university hopes students who got the opportunity to complete a P.E. course picked up valuable networking tools.
"You learn to play golf and it may help you in your business dealings," he said.
The education department started at Atlanta University as a part of the graduate school program. According to Tuner, the physical education department came through the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University in 1988. Although the P.E. program may not return to CAU's core curriculum, the university believes it is for a good cause.
"Clark Atlanta University has to survive," Turner said.
