You have spent hours in your adviser's office in a futile attempt to add a gym class. Completely frustrated, you finally decide to put it off for another semester -- after all, it's only gym. Other than having to take it to get out of Happy Valley, what's the point?

Exercise and sport activity classes are part of every University student's graduation requirements for a variety of reasons, said James Thompson, associate department head for exercise and sport science.

"When you are involved in a rigorous, healthy lifestyle, you feel better and have more fun," Thompson said. "Exercise and activity increases the student's sense of well-being."

ESACT classes combine the benefits of learning a skill with the social aspect of learning, said Mike Morse, director of programs for ESACT.

"People kid around and talk, then become friends," Morse said. "Socially, it's an opportunity to let kids forget their rigors while learning a new skill."

The classes are designed to introduce students to a new skill they will hopefully continue after completing the course, Thompson said.

"We want to introduce students to a variety of activities that will encourage them to commit to a lifetime of activity, which will lead to a healthier lifestyle," he said.

In addition to focusing on skill, ESACT classes address nutrition and health issues, Thompson said.

"Part of the mission of Penn State is to improve the quality of life for the University community," Thompson said. "Without question, the ESACT program lends itself to this."

The ESACT program has moved away from the physical education aspect of playing games, said instructor Mark Beach. More emphasis is being placed on education and structure, Beach said, adding that the program is becoming more up-to-date.

The University's program includes both competitive and non-competitive activities, Thompson said, adding that this is a key to its success.

"Not everyone wants to or can compete," he said. "We offer classes that students can enjoy and use to handle stress, as well as compete."

Students have to take ESACT classes for several reasons.

General education requirements state that every student must take three credits of ESACT, but it is often difficult to fit a class into an academic schedule.

The demands for ESACT classes have increased from 12,000 spaces in 1983 to 25,000 spaces this year, Morse said. But the number of instructors has decreased because of a funding shortage, he added.

"It's not just our department that has this problem," Morse said. "But we take up an enormous amount of credit hours, and it causes scheduling problems for the University."

Despite scheduling problems, many students said they would still take an ESACT class even if it was not required, Morse said.

"Kids come back and say that they didn't really want to take the class but they discovered that they lost weight or liked it, which is a motivation to maintain," Morse said, adding that one out of six students take more ESACT classes than they need.

"Even without the requirement, people love this stuff," Thompson said.

Morse said there are currently 31 full-time ESACT instructors, although he would like to be able to staff at least five to 10 more.

Penn State is unique because, unlike many other universities, almost every sport coach also teaches an ESACT class, Morse said.

"Joe Paterno and his staff don't teach, of course, because they are working full-time anyway, but there are very few coaches who are not instructors," Morse said.