Community Service Debate
Students are at odds over community service that doesn’t involve physically interacting with the community. Students regularly make cards for children, the elderly, and the sick & shut-in throughout the year. Some students question if they are actually helping the community, and personally growing from doing these types of non-interactive tasks.
Most students must fulfill a minimum of 40 hours of community service in order to graduate. Bennett College encourages students to be community activists, and it stresses giving back to local communities.
Senior Faith Colvins, a psychology major says students are taught one thing, but their behavior says another sometimes.
“Bennett College doesn’t interact much with our community, and it makes us look like we are above the neighborhood we live in,” says Colvins.
“Making holiday cards can be boring, tedious, and impersonal especially when you do not know the person’s circumstance, so you write ‘Happy Holiday’ and ‘Get Well Soon’ in every card.”
Aisha Henderson, the community service coordinator says events are approved by the impact it will have on the community not just by community interaction.
“[Students] make cards for the elderly that do not have family just to bring joy to them.” Henderson says this activity might not guarantee physical interaction with the recipients, but it satisfies somebody with minimal support, and that deserves credit.
Sophomore English major Veronica Minor from Asheboro, N.C. does community service for her own personal growth. “Interactive community service guarantees self-satisfaction, whereas making cards can be redundant and can be done without ever having felt like you’ve contributed to the betterment of the community.” She says all community service should be interactive. “It builds character, and allows us to have the experience of service without expecting something back…and that’s what Belles do!”
The Queens Association, headed by Miss Bennett College is responsible for providing community service hours for their prospective clubs and organizations. Miss Sophomore Cherie Johnson says she provides much of her community service on campus because it is hard for students to get off campus.
“Community Service doesn’t have to be interactive, I could stuff hygiene baskets and send them out and never see who is getting them. I would still consider that community service because somebody is benefiting from the time and energy that I spent,” says Johnson.
Cortney Reese, a sophomore social work major from Oakland, Calf. says some tasks should be done without receiving recognition. “Belles just need to give back! Credit shouldn’t always have to be given. You can get credit for a card that is not quality. If Belles do not do things as simple as making a card without receiving hours then that goes to show what we’re doing for credit defeats the purpose of why we serve to begin with.”
“Women help make the community and should take part in giving back to the community,” says Cherie Johnson. “While working on campus may seem standoffish, and less interactive, Bennett’s activities are just as impacting and can be felt at Moses Cone [Hospital], in high schools, Girl Scouts, and throughout the Greensboro community.”
You can find out more community service information by contacting the campus queens or Aisha Henderson, director of civic engagement & service learning at (336) 517-1567.
By: Delrisha White
Perphaps a hybrid approach that combines making cards (an impersonal activity) with actually visiting the facility to deliver the cards (a very personal activity) would be ideal. I am sure the recipients would appreciate the card even more if it was accompanied by a smile. I urge you to think creatively about how you approach your community service projects so that you have an opportunity to expand your perspective on the world around you and actually experience the impact that you are making.