Pass swim test or sink your graduation

I had to take four semesters of physical education during college. I recall enrolling in fencing, stretching, relaxation and jogging. Fencing was the worst -- as the semester wore on the helmets smelled putrid thanks to the combined sweat of a dozen or more college students.

But if I had been an Ivy Leaguer at Cornell University, Dartmouth College or Columbia University, I would also have been required to pass a swim test my freshman year. At these schools, beginning swim lessons are assigned to anyone who fails the test or claims upfront they cannot swim. Nine other schools are known to have a swim test.

Pro-swim test advocates believe learning to swim is a lifesaving skill all people should possess. Swimming also contributes to a healthy body and mind. While a swim test policy does seem a bit antiquated, I'm all for mandatory physical education in K-12 and higher education. These schools should keep their swim test and history intact. Besides, strong swimmers dominate Survivor challenges. What's your take?