Thread: Students may not be allowed to graduate

Students may not be allowed to graduate because they're obese.

Inside Higher Ed reports that "More than two dozen seniors at Lincoln University, in Oxford, Pa., are in danger of not being able to graduate this spring -- not because they're under disciplinary probation or haven't fulfilled the requirements of their majors, but because they were obese as freshmen."

That's right: the historically Black College has a new requirement for graduation. Students must either have a BMI below 30 (a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese) or complete a one-semester "Fitness For Life" class.

Some 19% of 2006's freshman class had BMIs over 30, but most of those students either lost some weight or took the class. However there are still about 25 students left -- out of a class of 484 -- who have neither lost weight nor taken the class.

Students and some well-meaning educational experts are questioning the wisdom of the policy, but it really makes perfect sense. Colleges have a responsibility to prepare their students to be productive members of society, and to help them gain the skills and attributes that will help them succeed in the workplace.

Guess what? Fat people earn less money and are likely to be discriminated against during the hiring process. In that regard, requiring students who are overweight to learn about healthy eating and exercise is every bit as legitimate as requiring students to take a class on resume writing -- even if it's less politically correct.

The Associated Press reports that the school is catching some flack from students and educational experts, but I say, carry on Lincoln University. Congratulations on taking an unpopular but principled stance that reflects a commitment to the well-being of your students.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/students-may-not-be-allowed-to-graduate-because-theyre-obese/?icid=main|main|dl3|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletp op.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2F23%2Fstudents-may-not-be-allowed-to-graduate-because-theyre-obese%2F

Found this one and i'm not quite sure which way i lean. On one hand it does help them but on the other is it really the right way to handle it. I do find the part about them being able to take another class and graduate more of a money thing than anything else.

I guess i would have to lean to the side of it really is none of there business what a person weighs. Even if the case may be about the school actually caring. If that is really is what the school is after and not the funds for another course. I guess i could be persuaded if the additional course was free of charge.

Refuse to allow obese people to graduate, and receive their diploma because they'll be discriminated upon in the future in work places. Isn't refusing to grant them their diploma based on their weight discrimination on its own?

They create discrimination, in order to prevent future incidents? Or is this not discrimination because they have a 'justified' message?

Regardless of the case, its utter bullshit. Its not their jobs to tell people how to live their lives, or dictate what sort of physical appearance, or health they should strive to achieve. The choice belongs to nobody but the person in question.

Originally Posted by Too Much Damage

Originally Posted by Cainun

Refuse to allow obese people to graduate, and receive their diploma because they'll be discriminated upon in the future in work places. Isn't refusing to grant them their diploma based on their weight discrimination on its own?

They create discrimination, in order to prevent future incidents? Or is this not discrimination because they have a 'justified' message?

Regardless of the case, its utter bullshit. Its not their jobs to tell people how to live their lives, or dictate what sort of physical appearance, or health they should strive to achieve. The choice belongs to nobody but the person in question.

Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines
Actors/Models

Army Navy Air an Marines, fitness is an absolute requirement. You cannot survive if you are out of shape. When going in, I'd suspect the majority of people know and understand that, making it a willful choice that they become a more physically fit person.

Actors and Models, again they make the choice because its part of the job. Actors need to look a certain way to adequately fit into a roll, models need to be pencil thin and or muscled in order to qualify as a "Hottie" or "Stud" or whatever variant you want to call them.

I reiterate, its the choice of the person in question, not those who hold the piece of paper verifying that they've busted their ass to earn that diploma.

BMI=31.6