These days campus administrators seem to be full of dismal ideas veiled as options of last resort.

The decisions made vis-a-vis the Old University Union renovations continue to disappoint us ‘ but that’s hardly surprising considering how the New University Union turned out. The cuts made to the physical education curriculum, however, have us floored (see Page 6).

We won’t deny that the requirements could use some restructuring. Though it is not the most unnecessarily complicated system on this campus ‘ the tango of Y, S and B courses are not beyond the need for untangling ‘ we just wish it could have been done logically.

Students will be seeing the last of courses like kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking and bicycling ‘ all of which are offered through Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits. These one-credit activity classes which give Binghamton University students a chance to breathe fresh air, exercise and reflect for credit, will be canceled come fall 2008.

Why?

Why not? After all, according to a Physical Facilities official, they don’t offer half the wellness and health of courses like weight training, yoga and martial arts.

The remaining courses are expected to yield long-term results, as students can practice those activities anytime and anywhere, she said, and would likely be more ‘wellness’ oriented.

Cross-country skiing and bicycling, apparently, don’t make the ‘wellness’ cut.

The delineation makes little sense to us. It seems obvious that the small outdoor activity courses allow students to commune with nature and their country surroundings ‘ aspects few classes manage to achieve.

And considering the University’s recent pact to prioritize the environment and make the campus more sustainable, the cuts are even more counter-intuitive.

Courses that expect students to spend days canoeing around the Canadian wilderness for credit are incentives not only for a genuine interest in nature, but for coming to BU in general. Though Binghamton’s offerings in art and culture are sparse, the Southern Tier has mountains, rivers and hills to exploit ‘ and the courses are covered by fees students already pay.

Prospective students expect a diverse curriculum that sets this University apart from the sea of other eager institutions vying for their tuition money. Classes like backpacking and cross-country skiing are like the phys ed department’s answer to Ali Mazrui.

Before shedding assets, the department may want to evaluate their options. Cutting the classes should be an option of last resort used only after several attempts to keep the more compelling activity courses and incorporate what phys ed considers to be ‘wellness.’