You cannot force someone to help another, but you can teach him or her how to discover the joy in giving. Nothing needs to be justified about the educative nature of volunteer work, and so I often wonder why it is not a part of the education system to which I belong. I cannot think of a more liberating art.
Dartmouth's mission statement tells us that "a Dartmouth education should prepare students for life in a complex world, one in which the ability to understand and appreciate differences and similarities among all people and societies is essential." In the complex world that I live in, the probability of running into a homeless person is significantly greater than the probability of accidentally falling into a pool of water. Dartmouth's swim test -- created to follow Harvard's example -- makes sure that we do not drown in the water, but how about in the city? How can we survive in our complex world if we are not familiar with the people with whom we share it?
Volunteering is a big part of learning, and Dartmouth should establish a volunteer work requirement. Three hours per term would not upset the balance of our lives; rather, our lives would prosper. Learning is a process that cannot be limited by the pages in a book, nor by the walls of a classroom. A school, especially a liberal arts college like Dartmouth, creates a community where students learn with and from each other. Every person, every interaction, every situation with which we are uncomfortable points to a part of us that needs to be worked on.
As a community, we have to learn to appreciate learning with all people, not just those who belong to our selective group. We have to learn not to hesitate or run away when we run into someone who needs our help. We need to attend more closely to what makes us uncomfortable, as this discomfort is at the heart of real learning. Volunteering to help others is an important part of an education and should be central to any learning institution, especially one dedicated to a vital and diverse learning experience.
The word "requirement" is not at odds with the word "volunteering," because helping others is something we do every day of our lives. Formalizing such a process by integrating it into the Dartmouth education would enhance not only Dartmouth students but also the world beyond Dartmouth. Attending to others' needs -- and sometimes just sharing things with them -- can only make us more complete human beings. We should learn this lesson while we are young so that we can cherish and expand our communities all through our lives.
It is sad to realize that sometimes we are only "required" to serve our own needs. I hope we are not tempted to go back to the survival argument. But even if we are, I hope we also realize that we are not here to just survive. We have a higher purpose. We have to embrace life to foster certain values. Swimming is a survival skill and would not be necessary unless you found yourself in the middle of a body of water. Sharing and helping is a life skill that might be necessary in case you find yourself in the company of people. I look forward to the day that Harvard establishes a volunteer work requirement.
