Physical Education

Departmental Office: 336 Dodge Physical Fitness Center; 212-854-3439; perec.columbia.edu 

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Director of Physical Education and Recreation, Jeffrey Ryder,332 Dodge Physical Fitness Center; jr3786@columbia.edu; 212-854-4001

Departmental Administrative: Belgica Ramirez, 212-854-3439; br12@columbia.edu

The Physical Education Department offers a variety of activities in the areas of aquatics, fitness, martial arts, individual/ dual sports, team sports, and outdoor education. Most of the activities are designed for the beginner level. Intermediate/ advanced courses are offered at selected times. All courses are designed to develop and/or improve students' fundamental skills and to help realize their potential. Activity that promotes one’s fitness level is emphasized. A major goal is to provide a positive, enjoyable experience for students, hopefully leading to the development of an active, healthy lifestyle.

The majority of the courses are offered in ten time preferences. However, there are early morning conditioning activities, Friday-only classes at Baker Athletics Complex, and special courses that utilize off-campus facilities during weekends. A description of the scheduled activities for each time preference is included in the Department of Physical Education website.

A list of the activities for the term is included in the Directory of Classes and on the website. Students may select physical education courses during online registration. Students may register for only one section of Physical Education each term.

Physical Education Requirement

Successful completion of two Physical Education courses is a Columbia College requirement that students are advised to complete by the end of the first year. Students may elect to take one or two additional terms of Physical Education Activities for credit. Students receive 1 point of academic credit for each completed term of physical education for a possible total of 4 points.

For more information on this requirement, please visit the Core Curriculum—Physical Education Requirement section of the bulletin.

Medical Conditions

Students who request to have their Physical Education activities limited or waived because of a medical condition should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Physical Education. In some situations, students may require an evaluation by a clinician at Health Services at Columbia in order to receive a waiver. In consultation with the Director of Physical Education, students may be instructed to contact Dr. Melanie Bernitz, Medical Director of Columbia Health Programs, who facilitates these evaluations.

Grading

The grading in all physical education courses is Pass/Fail. Students who fulfill the attendance and participation requirement receive a Pass. Those who miss more than the permissible number of classes and who do not drop the course by the official drop deadline receive a W (Withdrawal). Those who anticipate attendance problems should contact their instructors or the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Physical Education.

Swim Test

All students are also required to pass a swimming test or take beginning swimming for one term to fulfill the swimming requirement. A waiver of the swimming test requirement may be granted if a student has a disability certified by a medical authority that precludes swimming. Students may also request waivers and accommodations on the grounds of religious observance or gender identity/expression. All requests for waivers and accommodations are reviewed by the director of physical education.

Locker and Towel Service

Students have access to a lock/towel service ($38 fee) and, with the exception of tennis, equipment for the activities is supplied by the Physical Education Department.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Students who are participating on an intercollegiate team should register for the appropriate team section of PHED UN1005 Intercollegiate Athletics. Intercollegiate athletes are responsible for taking the swimming test. Student athletes who cannot pass the test should take beginning swimming at the first possible opportunity.

Student athletes who register correctly and participate on a team receive a Pass; those who drop off a team in midterm and still wish to receive academic credit must notify the Physical Education Office and be placed in an activity to complete the attendance requirement. Otherwise, the student must officially drop Intercollegiate Athletics or they receive a mark of W (Withdrawal).

Director of Physical Education Programs

Jeffrey Ryder

Associates

• Cemi Abreu
• Michael Aufrichtig
• Caroline Blum
• James Bolster
• Christie Bonn
• Victoria Borja
• Michael Burr
• Amber Cannady
• Diana Caskey
• Jesse Chapman
• Brian Chenoweth
• India Choquette
• Demerae Christianson
• Nathaniel Clark
• Tyler Cordell
• Theodore Cowling
• Jared Czech
• Aphrodite Daphnis
• Derek Davis
• Jesse DePalo
• Scott Donie
• Lauren Dudziak
• Samantha Fahey
• Alex Fatovic
• Aliza Feuerstein
• Wilfred Frederic
• Jumpei Harada
• Jessica Harrington
• Matt Herhal
• Andrew Hess
• Colleen Irby
• Brian Jines
• Lauren Kahn
• Amphone Keovongmanysar
• Anastasia Kirtiklis
• Andrew Laiosa
• Gustavo Leal
• SeoungWoo Lee
• Peggy Levine
• Frank Lisante
• Kyle Massey
• James McDermott
• Gaurav Misra
• Richard Mueller
• Sara Negrette
• A.J. Nelson
• Caroline Nelson-Nichols
• Joseph Nord
• Joshua Osit
• Pepper Pavlish
• Sarah Perron
• Ken Pollard
• Olivia Raxter
• Arielle Robinson
• Daniel Rosenblum
• Greg Rosnick
• Chris Sachvie
• Tamara Sagadore
• Allison Salter
• Joanne Schickerling
• Marlon Sears
• Anne Marie Skylis
• Maraya Slatter
• Jen Spicer
• Marquise Stancil
• Erik Supplee
• Dan Tischler
• Cassie Vondrak
• Samantha Warren
• Amy Weeks
• Elizabeth Young