Write for an Academic Discussion
You have 10 minutes. Your professor is teaching a class on higher education policy. Write a post responding to the professor's question. Express and support your opinion and make a contribution to the discussion in your own words. Write at least 100 words.
Some universities now require every student to complete a set number of community service hours, often around forty, before they can graduate. Supporters say this builds character and strengthens ties between the university and the local community. Critics say volunteering loses its meaning when it is forced, and that many students already struggle to balance classes and paid work. Should universities make community service a graduation requirement? Why or why not?
I think they should. Volunteering at a food bank or tutoring children teaches empathy and responsibility in a way a lecture never can. Many students would never try it unless they had to, and some discover a cause they care about for the rest of their lives. Employers also value applicants who have contributed to their communities.
I disagree. Volunteering is supposed to be something you choose freely. If students are forced to do it, many will just count the hours until they are finished. Also, lots of students already work part-time to pay their tuition, and unpaid service hours would take time away from their studies or their jobs.
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