Statewide education budget cuts being enacted this summer may limit the number of time students can repeat PE classes, putting strain on the department and paving the way for change.

Physical education’s curriculum, along with other major areas of study including journalism, horticulture and theater, is under fire from the state to start paring down repeat students. Students used to be able to retake PE classes up to three times. Under the new legislation, the PE department expects students will not be able to repeat courses at all.

“Students repeat core study classes often because they got a poor grade in the class,” said Athletic Director Christine Worsley. “The philosophy for repeat classes in PE is to better a student’s skills.”

The frustrations felt by this topic have traveled all over campus. PE Department Chair Ralph DePew emotionally stated: “To say that a student can master a skill set or movement in a single semester is short sided and foolish. Such a notion comes from people making decisions about things they know nothing about.”

 All of this is in response to the $400 million in cuts to education that are included in the 2011-2012 state budget. Last year, Chancellor Helen Benjamin appointed a repeat task force to investigate classes productivity. After studying the habits of students, the task force put together a report on how to properly trim the fat on the curriculum. While a decision has yet to be reached, Worsley and the rest of the department are operating on a well informed hunch that the cuts will happen.

Ever since the task force was appointed, the PE department has been working hard preparing ways to be able to rework the curriculum, and allow students a chance to progress in their studies. Long board meetings and overtime hours with campus leadership have produced a new and improved system.

“We are in the process of making beginner, intermediate and advanced courses,” said Worsley. “We’re completely rewriting the curriculum and the way it will be taught. DVC is ahead of the curve. We’re going to get the classes prepared for when a decision is in line.”

Worsley says they plan to implement the changes even if the repeatability clauses stay the same. The department is trying their best to ensure that students will be able to further their studies in physical education no matter what the state of education looks like down the road. Like many predicted, the stress will fall squarely on the shoulders of the college.

“In my opinion, we don’t offer enough physical activity on campus,” said Worsley. “Filling PE classes is no problem. It’s a great stress release, source of joy, and time off from a busy schedule. We have a great faculty as well, and we want to provide the best opportunity for everyone who wants to take part.”