The idea of doing away with the Health and Physical Activity (GHA) requirement has come up recently after the University Faculty Senate discussed whether the requirement should remain mandatory at yesterday's meeting in Harrisburg.

We believe there are far too many benefits to these classes for Penn State to do away with the requirement. Let's face it -- most courses in college are very stressful, and GHA courses can be a much-needed source of stress relief.

After studying or doing dozens of problem sets or writing a research paper, the idea of meditating in yoga or working out frustrations in judo is pretty enticing.

Professors of GHA courses are often more understanding that you have a lot of work in other courses and keep most of the course in class, which is a welcomed relief. Many students look forward to their GHA courses every day -- they are a break from the monotony of academic classes, and they fulfill a requirement while you're at it. And then there's the physical benefit of these classes. Good physical health is something students don't get enough of, and if a requirement to graduate is the only way to get your weekly dose of exercise, well, then so be it. At yesterday's meeting, Penn State President Graham Spanier said the requirement might not be needed because data has shown that students are already physically active on their own.

However, many students do not have the time to exercise outside of class and work obligations, so GHA courses may be their only chance to exercise. At a time when it seems as if new reports on U.S. citizens' obesity are released every day, it would be damaging to do away with this requirement.

If Penn State does get rid of the GHA requirement, chances are students would not take these courses because it can be difficult to schedule courses apart from those required. There is not time to take fun classes outside of students' disciplines. So many courses are in very high demand -- ballroom dancing and yoga, for example -- that they fill up almost immediately once registration begins.

If Penn State changes anything about the GHA requirement, it should be adding more sections of the courses so that more students could take them. The logic on removing the requirement seems flawed.

According to a recent Faculty Senate report, Penn State is the only Big Ten university to require physical education.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said that the university should ask itself why it is the only Big Ten school with the requirement. We think the other schools should be asking themselves why they are not following Penn State's lead in having a GHA requirement.