Current Program

Physical Education activity skills instruction includes progressive skills attainment in each particular sport or activity with emphasis on technique, strategy, etiquette and rules, as well as an emphasis on physical health and the importance of life-long physical fitness. The program, which reflects the goals of the college's Mission Statement, also promotes student success in physical well-being. Students enroll in Physical Education classes for personal enrichment and to satisfy transfer requirements. Changes in the program in recent years have occurred due to changes in population, economic conditions and college budget conditions. Skills Certificates are offered in Dance and Aquatics. The Dance Certificate provides a strong foundation for those wishing to study dance seriously with the intention of continuing their training to go into the fields of performance, choreography and/or teaching dance. The training includes a broad technical base of modern, jazz, ballet, tap, folklorico and aerobics, as well as production and dance history. The Aquatics Certificate provides a broad range of training for those wishing to enter the aquatics industry or to become a leader in it. Lifeguard training includes swimming pools, waterfront areas, and head lifeguard components. Instructor training and certification includes swimming, water aerobics, lifeguard training, first aid and CPR. Training in springboard diving, skin diving, water polo and biathlon training provides additional flexibility for those seeking aquatic careers.

Degrees and Certificates - Skills Certificates are offered in Dance and Aquatics.

Personnel - Physical Education (Athletics) counts the following personnel as part of its staff: four full-time faculty, seven part-time faculty, three full-time classified employees and two student employees.

Teaching Methodologies - Instruction is primarily lecture/demonstration and lab, with some lecture and lecture/lab. Other teaching methods are incorporated into games, meets and matches.

Technology - Few online courses or distance education opportunities are offered at this time.

Equipment - At this time, the following items required repair or replacement: the handicap lifts in the pool, diving boards, fins, computers, dance costumes, lighting in the theatre and the public address system. There is an immediate need for a DVD/video player, a video camera with playback for the Dance studio and three or four travel vans.

Facilities -Storage and equipment rooms are being used as temporary office space at this time. The current Dance studio is adequate but small. The costume and prop storage space floods. The pool needs re-plastering.

Future Program

The Physical Education program may need to adapt to the following conditions in coming years: changes in technology and curriculum development, and changes in college recruitment strategies and facilities. It is expected that enrollment in Physical Education courses will increase at the same rate as overall college enrollment in the next five years, then remain at the same level due to limited college facilities and limited space. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No changes in degrees or certificates are planned.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - Changes in teaching methodologies are expected as more high tech equipment is made available to the program

Technology - While high tech equipment is likely to affect some teaching methods, alternative delivery systems such as online courses and interactive video will very probably not play a significant part in future program offerings. Physical Education courses do not lend themselves well to distance learning methods of instruction, as they require personal, interactive demonstrations in a physical/lab setting. The exception to this is the Aquatics program, which is integrating new technology, trends and teaching techniques into an online distance education classes that are a hybrid of on-campus and online.

Equipment - Within the next five years the following items need to be replaced: TV/VCR, copy machines, computers for Aquatics, washing machines and dryers. The program needs new fax machines, a digital camcorder, high quality digital duplicating for CD-ROMs and DVDs, and computers and support equipment for staff and coaches.

Facilities - A new gym floor, new floors for the Dance studio and for the theatre, and new locker rooms are needed. At least two lecture classrooms are needed, especially near the pool, as well as storage, office and equipment space. Handicapped shower facilities near the pool are needed, as well as a therapy pool for adapted instruction. Space is needed for a conference room and a second Dance studio that converts to a small performing space, as well as an exercise physiology lab for testing and training

Staff Development - Seminars on the following topics would benefit staff: athletic eligibility, financial aid for students, media and audio-visual training (streaming and DVD production), web design and accessibility issues, videoconferencing, computer information, gender equity, and first aid/CPR.

Special Recommendation

The department should explore alternative delivery methods to provide more opportunities for students to access the program. The decision to offer new sports such as football, softball, soccer and golf, however, is dependent on reviewing the entire program for cost-effectiveness.