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08-16-2008, 2:08 PM CChamp Joined on 08-16-2008 Posts 1 Forced community service Hi I'm new here. My college has implemented - and is in the process of expanding - a so-called "Community Engaged Learning" program. Every individual in my class is supposed to complete a required number of hours of community service ("CEL days") before we graduate (supposed to be part of freshman year, but I'm a sophomore now...they email about 75 of us (about 5% of the entire class) every now and then to make empty administrative threats). Every cell of my being is adverse to the idea of this service-enlistment. I feel like I'm under the control of nanny-authorities subverting my personal ambition, morals and rationales. I'm looking for help on how to oppose this on my moral and philosophical grounds. Unlike in a military draft, there is no conscientious objection clause here (because of how wayward the thought processes are of those who are behind this nauseous regime). I'm afraid that even if I articulate my position to the best of my ability and with the argument of civil disobedience on my side, my voice is going to fall on deaf ears with the utmost feebleness. Are there any ideas for me to oppose this? I feel like I might be the only person who has ever seriously thought out the reasoning behind forced community service (domestic enlistment?) here, so does that mean I should go ahead and submit some writing with citations of my philosophy, despite the bleak outlook which may even hinder me? Thanks for your responses    Report

08-25-2008, 4:01 PM R_Crusoe Joined on 08-04-2008 Posts 7 Re: Forced community service Is this compulsory community service something that was created after you began your studies at this university, or was it always a requirement?  If the policy was in place before your attendance, is it something they made you aware of, or did you only find out now? If you knew about this requirement before enrolling, your position is more difficult but not impossible.  Tell them you refuse to comply.  If they will not let you graduate, tell them you want to know now so you can transfer schools.  I find that this sort of academic, bureaucratic nonesense almost always buckles under the effort of defending itself.  You described empty administrative threats, I imagine they ARE empty. If they only recently introduced this requirement, then their position is even weaker.  You did not go to college to be given a moral compass.  You never agreed to involuntary service.  Sorry no one responded earlier, but it would seem that thing move pretty slow around here, and I had stopped checking to see if my questions were getting responses.    Report

The Atlas... » Ayn Rand's Idea... » General Discuss... » Forced community service

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