问答题
Read carefully the following two excerpts on swimming requirements for university students, and then write your response in NO LESS THAN 300 WORDS, in which you should: summarize the main message of the two excerpts, and then make comments on whether universities should set requirements other than academic achievements for students to graduate. You can support yourself with information from the excerpts. Marks will he awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks. Excerpt 1 Sink or swim tied to bachelor’s degrees—literally Students aiming to enter one of the top universities in China this year had better be able to swim or be prepared to learn swimming and pass a swim test since this university will not grant bachelor’s degrees if they cannot swim. This September, would-be freshmen at the university will have to take swimming courses if they fail a swimming test at the beginning of their university life. And they won’t receive their degrees if they cannot swim before their graduation, in accordance with a message at a university staff meeting days ago, a local newspaper reported on Monday. As to why the university is linking swimming ability with degrees, " as a requisite survival skill, swimming is beneficial for students in the long run, since swimming is helpful in improving students’ endurance and doing less harm to joints and muscles as a water sport," said head of the Division of Sports Science and Physical Education. Viewing the ability to swim as a must for students to earn their degrees is not new in this top university, as this ability was listed on its school regulations in the early 20th century. " As early as 90 years ago, the university required that students cannot graduate from the university or study overseas if they cannot swim, though the requirement didn’t work later on since the swimming pools at the campus could not accommodate increasingly more students," said the head of the Sports Science and Physical Education Division. Many alumni of this university had to meet the swimming challenge. The university is not the first university to require swimming as a compulsory course. Other universities in China have also listed swimming as a compulsory course for students. Excerpt 2 University of Chicago nixes nearly 60-year-old swim requirements For almost 60 years, one of the first things new students had to prove at the University of Chicago was their ability to stay afloat. But students in the Class of 2016 wouldn’t have to pass a swim test or take a swimming course in their freshman year. The University of Chicago has joined other universities in nixing the requirement. A handful of universities still require swimming tests to graduate, a dramatic shift considering that in 1977, 42 percent of colleges had some sort of swimming requirement, the Associated Press reported in 2006. By 1982 that figure had plummeted to 8 percent, and today, there are just a handful. Three Ivy League colleges—Columbia and Cornell universities and Dartmouth College—still require their students to pass a swim test before graduation. So do Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jeremy Manier, a university spokesman, said die reason for the change was to give students options in how they choose to exercise. To facilitate that model, the Fit Chicago program—which used to cost students $4 to $5 a class—is now free. Many University of Chicago students agree with the change, including Jim Foster, who is the student government’s vice president for student affairs. In his opinion, the swim test was outdated. "There’s that fringe sect of universities that say it’s a valuable life skill, but then again, so is self-defense," Foster said. "So I think it’s a smart decision to really leave it up to the students to decide when, if at all, they would like to take the time to learn that skill. "The "diverse needs" of University of Chicago’s campus is one of the reasons Karen Coleman, Vice President of Campus Life, cited for nixing the swim tests in a letter to students. " Ending (these requirements) will give us more opportunities to provide desired athletic and fitness options and give students more flexibility in how and when they engage in fitness, recreation or athletic activities," Coleman wrote.
【正确答案】To Swim or Not: A Critical Look at Mandatory Fitness Requirements in Universities
To sink or to swim, this is a question facing some graduates as a handful of universities in China and America regard swimming tests as the prerequisite for graduation. Proponents of this policy argue that swimming is a vital survival skill that can benefit students in the long run, as seen in Excerpt 1. However, the recent decision of the University of Chicago to abolish its swimming requirements, as mentioned in Excerpt 2, underscores the importance of providing students with autonomy to engage in fitness, recreation or physical activities that match their interests and abilities.
While it is important to develop survival skills and physical abilities, imposing rigid fitness requirements on graduation can negatively affect students’ learning experience. In the first place, the primary purpose of attending university is to acquire knowledge and skills in the field of learning, and mandatory swimming tests or other athletic requirements may distract students from achieving this goal. These additional demands can inevitably take up a considerable amount of time and energy, leaving them with less time to devote to their academic courses. In the second place, mandatory fitness requirements can be challenging for individuals with disabilities or poor physical conditions, as well as those who juggle multiple responsibilities, such as work, family, or care-giving obligations. Additionally, these non-academic requirements can add unnecessary stress and may lead to burnout and poor mental health conditions, which would further impair students’ ability to focus on their academic pursuits and achieve their academic goals.
To conclude, students’ academic achievements, rather than their ability to meet certain athletic requirements, should be the decisive factor of their eligibility for a degree. Meanwhile, universities should provide students with various physical education courses, sports facilities, and recreational activities as options, rather than implementing rigorous standards. By giving students more flexibility in how and when they engage in physical activities, universities can ensure their positive learning experience, promote their physical and emotional well-being, and enhance their academic achievements.