To graduate from high school, I had to complete 15 hours of service every year. Being the overachiever that I am, I never had a problem completing the hours. But I distinctly remember my friends complaining and whining about having to go to soup kitchens and homeless shelters to earn their required service hours.
The sisters at St. Joseph’s Academy wanted to instill the value of giving back to the community in their students. They firmly believed in this mission of educating young women as responsible members of society.
At the time, I didn’t think much about the Academy’s mission or my contributions as a volunteer. I enjoyed my time as a candy striper, Girl Scout camp counselor, nursing home visitor and Volunteen. I thought, “Hey, I had a good time doing it, and I feel good about myself now.” It was a win-win situation.
Fast forward four years to now. I am graduating in May and just beginning to open my eyes to the real community outside LSU. The 2000 Census shows more than 17 percent of Louisiana families earn less than $15,000 annually. They struggle daily to gain limited access to health care and housing. Some even go hungry, a fate I have trouble fathoming.
Even though I grew up in here, I was either too young to understand the problems I see or too ignorant to see them. But I’m beginning to.
A great need exists for community service. Hundreds of agencies in town desperately need regular and committed volunteers to help solve problems within the community. As citizens of LSU and Baton Rouge, we have an obligation to give back.
We are the privileged. We are the ones who will graduate with college degrees and, in theory, go on to meaningful and well-paying jobs. We have a duty to make this place better for others. SJA tried to show me this in high school, and I appreciate it more as I grow older.
Thankfully, other universities recognize this duty. Southern University, our neighbor across town, requires students to clock 60 hours of community service as a prerequisite for graduation. SU’s Board of Supervisors passed this in 1990 to promote civic responsibility and serve the local community.
Since passing this requirement, Southern students have established a Center for Service Learning and made more than 200 partnerships with community, governmental, civic and non-profit organizations that address a range of health, education, safety and human services issues.
Southern students learn the value of being functional and responsible members of their community.
And, what do we have here at LSU? We have a handful of service-learning classes that may be worthwhile but are not required or numerous. We have organizations that mandate their members to serve. We have other organizations that are devoted strictly to service.
But, it’s not coming from the University. If students walk away from LSU with a solely academic education, then LSU has failed in its mission. Students need to understand the importance of community service. For society to prosper and grow, we have to encourage others to serve.
I’m not claiming to be the poster child of service in action. I have other obligations and responsibilities pulling me away from building houses or visiting the elderly. But, I recognize my duties and find time to drive a blind woman to pick up her children or restripe parking lots of old high schools in my spare time.
I urge students and University administrators to recognize this need for service. We have so many students here and so many possibilities. Think of what a program such as Southern’s could do on a large scale. Think of how much the community could benefit from our help and time. Think of how much we could grow as individuals if we dedicated more time to organizations in need.
So many opportunities are available, and I urge you to not let them pass by.