Participants in collegiate physical activity classes (CPAC) have varying, Motivations (MOTIVE), Goals (GOAL) and Purposes of Participation (POP). Using a questionnaire we evaluated the aforementioned aspects in (CPAC) in 3 universities as part of an institutional research project. We wanted to determine what the participants considered the most important aspects of these classes. Questionnaires were distributed to 128 participants enrolled in (CPAC) to determine the students’ views of their participation. They rated the importance of POP, MOTIVE and GOAL using a scale ranging from 1-10. Qualitative comments were also solicited. The POP that received a rating of 9 or 10 and from a total 102 subjects were fun, social activity and interaction and a break in their daily routine. The POP that received a rating of 4 or less from these same subjects were competitive aspects and achievement a high grade. The GOAL receiving a rating of 9 or 10 from 116 subjects was to improve their physical fitness and gain relief from stress. The GOAL receiving a 4 or less from these same subjects was obtaining a high grade in the class. The MOTIVE aspects of the class that received a rating of 9 or 10 (106 subjects) were the congeniality and helpfulness of the instructor, variety in the number activities within the class, an opportunity to learn new skills, appropriate challenges and learning the cognitive aspects of the activity such a rules, strategy and technique. Another aspect of MOTIVE that rated a 9 or 10 (114 subjects) was a positively oriented grading and evaluation system that motivated the students to participate and work towards a high grade. All of the respondents reported a generally positive attitude toward the activity classes with a variety of positive comments regarding the type of class in which they were currently participating. The preponderance of the subjective comments regarding what they expected in general from these classes were: skills (118), Fitness (104) Fun (100) Achievement (101), Life Skills (96). It was recommended that the aforementioned aspects of POP, MOTIVE and GOAL be considered when preparing a syllabus and activity schedule for physical education activity classes. The major conclusion of this study was that grading was neither a goal nor a purpose of participation but was viewed as a positively motivating factor that helped the students achieve their goals and purposes of participation in (CPAC)Keyword(s): college level issues, participatory, physical activity