Atlanta, GA – According to the latest data, sixty-seven percent of students complain that the Panther Express, Georgia State University’s in-house shuttle service, is practically useless. Yet, walking through the streets of Downtown Atlanta and arriving at class tired and sweaty isn’t much better. In the spirit of walking, one Exercise Science student is trying to change that.
Meet Daniel DeCardio, a senior at the Department of Kinesiology and Health. For as long as he can remember, his life goal has been to own an LA Fitness. In the meantime, he aims to use physical education as a way to spread community care.
“My spin classes at the Rec Center are like, soooooooo dope,” DeCardio commented.
When he overheard multiple complaints about the walking conditions on campus, he knew he had to jump into action. After gauging student demand and sharing his findings with the relevant departments, DeCardio proposed to the administration an addition to GSU’s general education curriculum, which received unanimous approval.
Starting Fall 2026, all incoming freshmen are required to take DeCardio’s Seminar, an asynchronous one-credit-hour class that satisfies the new PE requirements. To pass the class, students must log their walking habits around campus and complete a minimum of five thousand steps per day. In collaboration with GSU’s Department of Computer Science, the Department of Kinesiology and Health created an app designed specifically for the course.
With location services activated, DeCardio believes this initiative will transform student campus experiences by incentivizing exercise. “MIT already has a swimming requirement,” DeCardio states. “Since we’re not near the ocean, people can just, you know, use their legs.”
One student shared their concerns about the new requirement. “Big Pounce already preys on my tuition fees, so why add another class?”
A spokesperson from the GSU Testing Center clarifies, “For those who are broke, we have ways to test out of the requirement. We hold weekly sessions of the FitnessGram PACER Test at the Student Recreation Center, each attempt starting from $306. We take all major credit cards, personal/cashier’s checks, and money orders. But for the love of Hercules, anything but cash. Our DoorDash orders depend on having your card info.”
