Northern Star Online: Volunteering for the greater cause

It’s my belief that this generation – the millennial generation – is rather self-centered.

Although there are many exceptions, many of us are highly focused on our personal lives, our development, our success and what it will mean for us.

The suggestion of what we can do for others is lacking. John F. Kennedy famously told Americans, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

This sentiment is important for the continued advancement of our society.

In an age where there is a growing gap between the rich and the poor, it is important for us to take time to understand the power of giving, especially of our most precious commodity – time. A community service requirement should be implemented for undergraduate degrees.

Many high schools across the country have community service requirements. It’s part of a growing trend to incorporate a service ethic into a comprehensive education – an education that doesn’t just prepare you for a job, but also prepares you to be an engaged and responsible citizen.

Former California Governor Gray Davis made such a proposal to the state’s public university system several years ago.

In response, many issues were raised about how such a system could be implemented, including whether or not community service would be for credit, if it was a legitimate academic activity, how much service should be required and how it would affect transfer students.

Many unpaid internships offer credit as a form of compensation. Given what is already available, I don’t believe community service should be for credit hours.

Education should work to create the total package of self-development, and community service provides learning experience no classroom experience can recreate.

Five hours of service per semester spent at NIU would be a sufficient requirement. It would not be so taxing as to endanger the academics of an undergraduate, but would still be enough to have a positive impact on the student.

This requirement would also work for transfer students, as it takes into account how long the student will be at NIU.

Having a required amount of community service for graduation would be a good step in shifting my generation’s prevalent notion that our lives come first. If society is to face coming challenges, we must make an effort to work toward the betterment of the community.

Community service isn’t a magic bullet to solve all problems, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

If NIU were to adopt a university-wide service requirement for graduation, we would be one of the first in the nation to do so.

It would be a step toward a friendlier future.