Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management

Proposal to Change the Name of the Department

 

Proposal

 

The Department of Physical Education, Sports Science & Recreation Management proposes that the Departmental title change to ‘School of Sport & Exercise Sciences’ from August 1, 2002. This was proposed by the Departmental Management Committee (Dec 5, 2001) and endorsed by a full Staff Meeting (Dec 12, 2001) and has been agreed by Operations Sub-Committee.

 

Background

 

  1. There is a clear feeling within the Department and the University at large that the current Departmental title is too long and awkward. Indeed, it is often cited or spelt incorrectly, and does not lend itself to a succinct or appropriate greeting on the phone.  

 

  1. The Department has agreed new titles for our undergraduate programmes and the terms ‘physical education’ and ‘recreation management’ either no longer appear in programme titles or are specified in only two of the 18 taught programmes available from 2002-03.

 

  1. The new Beckwith Building will provide the ‘front-of-house’ image for the Department. This is an opportune moment to effect a change.

 

Structure

 

The new School will comprise, as at present, the current 8 ‘Teaching & Research Groups’. These are:

·        Applied Sports Science and Sport Development (to be renamed to avoid confusion with SDC; see below)

·        Exercise Physiology

·        Pedagogy, Physical Education and Sport

·        Physical Activity & Health

·        Sociology of Sport

·        Sports Biomechanics

·        Sport & Exercise Psychology

·        Sport & Leisure Management

as well as

·        The British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity & Health

·        The Institute for Sport & Leisure Policy

·        The Institute of Youth Sport

 

In addition, the School will include the Sports Development Centre (SDC) as a separate cost centre, allowing for close co-operation between the academic work of the School and professional and ‘industrial’ links afforded through SDC. We believe this to be beneficial to the SDC and the School in respect of external marketing and the ability to secure development-type funding. However, SDC will have a ring-fenced budget managed by the Director of the SDC and line-managed by the Bursar, as at present.

 

Professor Stuart Biddle

Head, Department of Physical Education, Sports Science & Recreation Management