Dailytech.
Your thoughts.Now one college is taking a controversial stand against its student's obesity. Lincoln University has given its plump students an ultimatum -- take a fitness course that meets three hours per week or don't graduate.
The university has began testing its students body mass indexes. Those with a BMI above 30 kg/m2 must enroll in the fitness course. The requirement was rolled out a couple years ago, but is just now gaining attention as the first class of students affected, those entering in the fall of 2006, will soon be looking to graduate. To make sure those with overly muscular physique (which can give abnormally high BMI) don't get improperly singled out, the school also screens by waist size.
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The mandated course, dubbed "Fitness for Life", consists of activities including water aerobics, Tai Bo and aerobic dance. Approximately 12 to 15 students still have to take the class this year to graduate, according to Mr. DeBoy's estimates. About 620 students already either took the course or tested out.
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Some lawyers, though, warn that the policy may land the school in legal hot water. States David Kairys, professor of law at Temple University Law School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, "The part that seems excessive is forcing them to take this course, or to exercise three hours a week, which isn't a bad idea for them, but should be their choice."