Our history

Brief history of the School (1964 - 1976)

In September 1964, 52 students registered for the first year of a "physical education major" in the Faculty of Education. Senate had given approval for only the first year of the program at this point; during the ensuing year the complete "major" was approved "in principle."

Because of the numbers of students applying and entering the program, registration had to be  restricted both because of the limited facilities available and because of the staffing problems. Accordingly, a selection procedure was introduced in 1967. This is still in effect.

The first class of eleven students graduated in 1969, although three students completed a B.Ed. with a partial program in physical education in 1968. To-date over 650 students have graduated in physical education and human performance.

The current program has evolved over the years through a number of changes. Many program changes involved changing courses and their content in an effort to make them more appropriate.

Although the very first course (P.E. 105) carried 3 units credit, "activities" in the early years were taken for no credit. Beginning in 1975, one-half unit of credit was offered for each basic activity course.

The original program was limited to teacher preparation with a B.Ed. in either elementary or secondary education. The Human Performance program was introduced in 1977 followed by the Leisure Studies program in 1980.

Before 1974 the administrative unit was called a "section" of the Faculty of Education. In that year it became one of the five "divisions" of the Faculty, followed by a further change to "department" in 1979. "School" status in the Faculty of Education was granted in 1980.

A graduate program, offering an M.Ed. and an M.A. was introduced in 1976.