As school expands, so do class options
By Chelsie Gastright
As High Point University continues to grow in its physical size, students are also starting to take notice to changes in the classroom as well. New dorms are being built and renovations are being made to places like the bookstore and the C-Stores. With the continuously growing student body, keeping things new, fresh, and entertaining are key in making sure that students get the most out of their college years.
One of these changes is the addition of new physical education classes, known as PEC in the course catalog. Some of the classes that are being added, but are not currently offered, include underwater photography, paintball, Zumba, and the second level of horseback riding.
“I know if I was a student, more variety is key,” says Dr. Rick Overstreet, coordinator of all physical education classes at HPU.
The PEC courses have something for everyone with every kind of interest. New classes that have made their way into the course catalog include both ice-skating and ice hockey.
One student at HPU talked about how much she has been enjoying the Ice-Skating I class after one week.
“I decided to take ice-skating because I’ve known how to ice skate for a long time and really enjoy it,” said Alex Ortowski, HPU freshman. “Even though it is off campus and has a higher course fee, this class is worth it. I can’t wait to get home and show off what I’ll be learning!”
Chuck Burch, the Ice Hockey I teacher has been with HPU since the fall of 2011. He feels that the wide variety of PEC classes is a great opportunity.
“I think the fact that HPU is willing to recruit these teachers and offer these activities differentiates them from other universities.”
Overstreet is very ecstatic about his position and understands quite well that being able to offer bigger and better things is just as key as offering variety.
“I started looking at other schools for examples and once Dr. Carole Stoneking put me in charge of the department I wanted to make the classes better, better than other schools have,” said Overstreet.
Overstreet also raved about how after the new additions have made their way into the course catalog, the number of students taking these classes have multiplied. Two years ago there were only 600 students taking extra PEC classes, but after the new additions there are over 800 students currently enrolled.
One of the more popular classes that is currently being offered through the PEC department is the women’s self-defense class. This class gives the women involved hands on experience with scenarios they could encounter and how to handle them. The class meets twice a week for 50 minutes at an off-campus martial arts studio in High Point.
Many students make excuses for why they cannot take a one-hour course here and there. However, there are certain PEC classes that are only offered once a week for two hours for half the semester. One of these special cases is Rock Climbing I and II.
HPU does offer many activities for students year-round, through new classes and new on campus opportunities. As the semesters unfold, there will be plenty of new PEC options to help round out a tough 16-hour semester. Make sure to keep checking the course catalog to know exactly what is offered each semester.