by lawdog on Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:29 pm
That makes sense to me. Fundamental swimming is an important life and personal-safety skill. Being able to swim also makes a person able to help others. It opens up a lifetime of water-sports opportunities such as sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, lap-swimming/conditioning, and fishing. It avoids personal embarrassment and bolsters confidence. It can be an important job skill/requirement. It instills respect for the water.
I suspect that among those who come to Wofford unable to swim are some from backgrounds where the chance or incentive to learn to swim was not available; fixing that would not cost much in time (just a few hours) or money. Our students could use pools at the Y and nearby schools. Students who can swim/instruct could teach as part of financial aid (e.g., Bonner Scholar, which Jeremiah was). It could happen as part of interim. No time like now.