This is in response to [Chris Elsner’s] column suggesting that NIU should require volunteerism for graduation.

I would like to begin by stating the fact that required volunteerism seldom produces volunteers.

I come from a high school that has experimented with required service, and have since come to realize what should be all too obvious about our generation and greater culture in general: When you force people to do things they do not want to do, they are even less likely to do it again.

I think the greater problem with society in general is not our lack of involvement with helping out our fellow man. I think our greatest problem is an inflated sense of entitlement.

Now, I have been a volunteer, I have done community service and I don’t think I should be given things without earning them. But I also do not think this is a common self-description.

The point, however, is that forcing people will not teach them the benefits of helping others, it will make service work, which means less people will want to do it.
In short, we should encourage service, but if you want to really make any difference, let people want [to do] it.

Chris Brown
Junior, COMS/media studies

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