Sport

For over a century, a unique requirement has set MIT apart from many other universities: every student must demonstrate the ability to swim. While a campus legend claims students once had to swim across the Charles River to graduate, that story is untrue. Today, MIT students fulfill the requirement by either completing a 100-yard swim or taking lessons in the university’s indoor pool. But why does this tradition endure at a time when most colleges have dropped similar mandates?

The requirement, which gained traction around World War II, stems from a belief that swimming is a vital life skill. “Sometimes they don’t have the time to do it as they’re growing up since they’re really focused on their studies, or they didn’t have access because they were an international student and it wasn’t as common,” explains Carrie Sampson Moore, MIT’s director of physical education and wellness. The persistence of the swim test at MIT reflects a commitment to equipping its students with practical skills alongside their rigorous academic pursuits.

The history of swim requirements in American higher education dates back to 1905, when Cornell University first mandated swimming for graduation. MIT followed suit during World War II, a period when physical preparedness was considered crucial for potential military service. According to Sampson Moore, “Higher education was a training ground for physically getting our troops ready.” While many institutions initially implemented these requirements due to concerns about drowning rates among service members, the landscape of college campuses has changed dramatically since then.

Over the decades, numerous colleges have abandoned their swim tests, citing concerns about equity and practicality. Amherst College ended its requirement in 1973 after a student, Gerald Penny, a Black student from segregated New Orleans who had never learned to swim, drowned during the test. Anthony Jack, an Amherst graduate and sociologist at Boston University, argues that such requirements can be exclusionary. “When you talk about inclusion on a college campus, you need to understand where your students are coming from and what experience that they’ve had access to,” he said.

The Shifting Landscape of College Swim Requirements

More recently, institutions like Notre Dame, Dartmouth, Hamilton, the University of Chicago, and Williams College have also eliminated their swim tests. At Williams College, a faculty review revealed that nearly all students enrolled in swim classes were students of color or international students, with only 3% being white domestic students. Professor Christopher Nugent, who led the review, noted the demographic imbalance, stating, “There were some demographic issues there that we found a little troubling, and we would find troubling with any graduation requirement.” Williams does not require proficiency in other essential life skills like CPR, personal finance, or a foreign language.

Despite this trend, a small number of universities, including Cornell, Columbia, Swarthmore, and the U.S. Service academies, continue to uphold the swim test. The Air Force Academy requires swimming for select roles, while other service academies maintain it for all cadets. MIT remains a staunch advocate for the requirement, believing it provides students with a valuable, potentially life-saving skill.

MIT offers students the opportunity to take swim lessons or complete the 100-yard test to fulfill the requirement. Alexis Boykin, an MIT graduate from Dayton, Ohio, initially attempted the test during orientation but didn’t pass. She ultimately enrolled in a swim course during her senior year, describing the initial lessons as focusing on basic skills like breathing and floating. “Now a graduate working in a lab, Boykin said she’s grateful she learned how to swim again. She hopes MIT keeps the requirement.

Looking Ahead

MIT’s continued commitment to the swim requirement underscores its belief in the importance of well-rounded preparedness for its students. While the trend in higher education leans toward eliminating such mandates, MIT administrators maintain that swimming is a valuable life skill that can benefit students long after graduation. The university’s approach reflects a broader discussion about the role of colleges in fostering not only intellectual growth but also practical skills and personal resilience.

What will the future hold for this unique tradition? As societal priorities evolve, MIT will likely continue to evaluate the necessity and equity of the swim requirement. For now, however, it remains a distinctive aspect of the MIT experience, a testament to the institution’s enduring belief in the importance of swimming proficiency. Share your thoughts on this unusual graduation requirement in the comments below.

As the recent showers subside, a sense of cautious optimism returns. In football, however, the sting of defeat lingers. FC Barcelona’s recent match against Atlético Madrid delivered a forceful, and unexpected, result. The history between these two clubs is marked by surprising outcomes, both at the Wanda Metropolitano and Camp Nou.

The evolution of football regulations, from its rudimentary beginnings to the complexities of today, often feels like a return to the core principles. When those early English students first kicked a ball, the rules were simple. Initially, only the goalkeeper could be substituted due to injury. A player forced off the pitch would often continue in an attacking role, even scoring what became known as the “lame man’s goal.”

The game has changed dramatically. Substitution limits have increased, and the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) aimed to reduce errors. However, VAR isn’t a perfect solution. It relies on interpretation, dependent on the judgment of individuals whose perspectives we don’t directly know. As it was in the beginning, subjective decisions still heavily influence the game.

Barcelona is understandably frustrated with the officiating from their recent match, as noted in a club statement. This isn’t new territory for the Catalan side. A particularly galling example occurred in Córdoba in May, during a crucial La Liga match. Coached by Rinus Michels, with players like Rexach, Marcial, and Rifé on the pitch, Barcelona conceded a penalty converted by Manolín Cuesta, putting Atlético ahead 1-0. From that point, Barcelona struggled to break down the opposition, hampered by what many perceived as biased officiating from referee Pascual Tejerina. Players protested, but were met with a dismissive wave of the hand and the instruction to “carry on.” Atlético Madrid ultimately won, securing the league title, leaving Barcelona questioning the fairness of the outcome.

Michels, the coach, was left without explanation for the loss. This pattern of questionable decisions, the article suggests, is a recurring issue within the Spanish football system. The historical dominance of figures associated with Real Madrid within the Spanish Catalan federation has long been a point of contention. A curious detail from that match in Córdoba was the presence of Forest, provided by Real Madrid, as the referee.

Lewandowski’s Future and a History of American Ventures

The future of Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona remains uncertain. The Polish striker, a consistent goalscorer throughout his career, is a valuable asset. One speculation suggests a potential move to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS). Barcelona has seen players move to the MLS before. The director of MLS once expressed interest in bringing Hristo Stoichkov to the league, and after initial hesitation, the Bulgarian accepted the offer. Stoichkov’s time in Chicago was reportedly positive, eventually leading to a move to Miami.

If Lewandowski were to choose the MLS, the article suggests, he would likely identify success.

The complexities of football, the subjective nature of officiating, and the historical context of perceived injustices continue to shape the narrative surrounding Barcelona. The club’s recent defeat in Madrid is not an isolated incident, but rather a continuation of a long-standing pattern of frustration and controversy.

What comes next for Barcelona will depend on their ability to navigate these challenges, both on and off the pitch. The club’s leadership will demand to address the concerns surrounding officiating and function to ensure a more level playing field for their players. The coming weeks will be crucial as Barcelona looks to regain momentum and compete for titles.

What are your thoughts on the recent match and the challenges facing Barcelona? Share your opinions in the comments below.