Vets seek credit for service

 As a student comes into Washburn University, he/she is told they must complete a certain class requirements before they can graduate. Among these general education classes are math, science, English, and a Kinesiology 198 (KN198) class.

However, not everyone feels as though some of these classes will be beneficial. Anthony Fast, a veteran of the United States Army, feels as though KN198 for veterans is unnecessary and a waste of money, and has done something about it.

Fast, a senior at WU, decided to draw out a proposal to gain support for his idea.

“I just wanted veterans to be granted the credit for the KN198 class due to knowledge they have already gained on this subject while they served,” said Fast.

He went on to compare the classes sections to objectives they have already studied. These include weight training, kardio kick, 

walk/jog, aerobics, body toning and self-defense. However, the most ironic one he believes to be is the boot camp class.

“The college takes the name from the military to offer it as a class; however, veterans go to a real boot camp and it is not accepted? Give us credit where credit is due,” said Fast.

Fast also said that he thought it was even more illogical that they introduced an online version of the class.

“I wonder at the dilemma of having an online physical education class that meets the requirements, yet veteran’s experience is not accepted,” said Fast.

Fast is not only trying to look for ways to help veterans, he also believes by the school accepting the proposal, it would increase the chance that veterans looking to higher their education after service would attend Washburn University.

Gordon McQuere, dean of college arts and sciences has had a chance to look at the proposal and form several ideas over it.

“In general, I support the notion that we should have the requirement of KN198 waived for veterans,” said McQuere.

Although the “backing” of a proposal is not necessary for one to pass, it is important to obtain support from a variety of people to get the attention of the faculty/administration.

McQuere also acknowledged that the material covered in KN198 is important to education and not all veterans may have this knowledge.

“I say this coming from the perspective of a veteran myself; I was in good physical shape but had very little exposure to the ideas about a healthy lifestyle,” said McQuere.

Not only does it need to obtain the attention of these members, it also has to travel through a long process before it even gets to a final vote.

“Typically, proposals start at the University Senate,” said McQuere. “Then they will proceed to a general faculty meeting where it must obtain a majority vote. Then, the administration takes a look at it to determine their stance. If it passes through all of these stages, it gets to a final vote by the Washburn Board of Regents.”

As a senior, Fast could be gone before his proposal makes it to the board of regents.

“In the military, there is a brotherhood,” said Fast. “I’ll be happy to take this class if it means I’m helping my brothers in the future.”