This year marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize. “Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is: What are you doing to help others?” is perhaps one of King’s most famous quotes.
North Carolina A&T’s elimination of required community service hours have brought mixed feelings to campus.
The Division of Academic Affairs implemented the Civic and Service Education program, known as C.A.S.E., in 2006. The program required students to complete 50 service-learning hours prior to graduation, and transfer students were required to complete service hours based upon the rank they entered the university.
The purpose of the program was to develop the skills, citizenship, and values of each student in hopes that they would become constant contributing members of the local and global communities.
According to Sharon Hoard, assistant director of Leadership and Engagement in the Office of Student Development, 303 students signed up through the university to participate in the MLK service day, C.A.S.E. hour approved.
Hoard explained that in the past when C.A.S.E. hours were required for students, the Office of Student Development had almost 1,000 students who signed up to volunteer for service day. “I think there are probably students out there with organizations that are doing other [community service activities],” said Hoard.
However, C.A.S.E. hours are no longer required for the classes of 2016, 2017 and beyond. Freshman marketing major, Bashti Hinton, believes the class of 2017 should have C.A.S.E. hour requirements because it forces students to actively participate in the community.
“I think it’s a good way to get out there, meet people, and make connections,” said Hinton.
Upperclassmen are a bit confused as to why community service is no longer required. Some students like the idea of community service, but do not believe it should be required for graduation.
Junior Class President Dorian Davis believes that C.A.S.E hours are necessary, but should not be required.
“It should be something that is instilled in us,” he said. Davis explained that
students should use this as an opportunity to find a way to encourage students to get involved in the community to impact change. According to Davis, C.A.S.E. hours are a good way to prove to various graduate schools and jobs that individuals have tried to positively impact the community while in college.
Located in the C.A.S.E. hour guidelines, faculty members are responsible for establishing service-learning opportunities for students. Some students fulfill their service hours through their internship or capstone classes.
Christopher Sifford, director of volunteers for The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, says even though C.A.S.E. hours are no longer required for N.C. A&T for freshmen and sophomore classes to graduate, there was a good turnout in Aggies volunteer for MLK service day. “I think the students are still excited about giving back because they participate with us all the time, whether they’re getting C.A.S.E. hours or not, and we are grateful for that.”
No specific reason for the elimination of C.A.S.E. hours was given. Students who plan to graduate in May must submit their service hours by Jan. 31.
- uniqua quillins Contributor