HBCU Drops Fitness Class Requirement For Obese Students
OXFORD, Pa. — Obese students at a historically black college near Philadelphia won’t have to take a fitness class to graduate after all.
Lincoln University faculty nixed the idea this week amid complaints the so-called “fat course” undermined a school principle of equal treatment.
The school had initiated the policy to address high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community.
About 80 students had gotten e-mails saying they had to take the fitness course to graduate. The plan was to target students with a body mass index of 30 or above. That’s considered obese.
The “Fitness for Life” course will instead be suggested to certain students after a freshman wellness class that addresses a number of health issues.
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