Too Fat to Graduate?
Too big for Lincoln University?
Hey fatty; yes you, the one with more lard in your ass than a micro-bus, you’re going to have to work just a little harder to get your college degree from Lincoln University in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because good grades are no longer good enough. That’s right, this “Historically Black University that combines the best Elements of a liberal arts and sciences” is leading the charge in the battle against obesity by requiring all students with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, which generally defines obesity, to take a fitness course that meets three hours per week. Don’t complete the class? Don’t graduate.
As students who entered Lincoln in 2006 approach their graduation, the controversy regarding this requirement is reaching new heights, with the best quotes seemingly coming from Tiana Lawson, 21, who doesn’t understand why the fitness requirement would be only for those that are fit today – “why would they want some people to be more healthy than others?” In case you didn’t guess, Lawson has also recently learned that she will be required to take the fitness class as her BMI exceeds the threshold.
“I didn’t come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range,” Lawson wrote. “I came here to get an education which, as a three-time honor student, is something I have been doing quite well, despite the fact that I have a slightly high Body Mass Index.”
The University’s response is about as you would expect with James DeBoy, the chairman of the school’s Department of Health and Physical Education saying that the requirement is just like courses to help with communications or math. Unfortunately, DeBoy is leaving out the fact that needing help in math is a technical issue and someone’s weight is a personal one, but hey, that’s a different rant all together. LeBoy goes on to say:
“We, as educators, must tell students when we believe, in our heart of hearts, when certain factors, certain behaviors, attitudes, whatever, are going to hinder that student from achieving and maximizing their life goals.”
It’s likely that it’s only a matter of time before the ACLU gets involved, because this certainly seems like Lincoln University is taking an intrusive role in trying to control how their students live their life. Where do you sit on this debate? Would you graduate?
Ranter
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