A bill has been introduced in the North Carolina Senate to make it a requirement for graduation for students in the UNC system, as well as students enrolled at private schools if they receive state financial assistance, that they complete 20 hours of community service per semester. The mandatory service would be in mentoring and tutoring kids in public schools across the state. My Pope Center colleague Jay Schalin comments unfavorably on this goofy proposal in this op-ed in today’s Raleigh News & Observer.

This ridiculous bill follows a national trend of conscripting students for community-service activities.

Why do politicians think that college students necessarily have any competence in mentoring younger kids? A lot of college students themselves need mentoring in basic literacy. Matching them up with struggling K-12 students would accomplish very little good. I used to have students in college who couldn’t get the various forms of “there,” “their,” and “they’re” straight. Should we expect that students like that will have a positive impact on the learning of their younger charges?

And while it’s true that a lot of college students enjoy a pretty carefree existence, there are some who are extremely busy with their coursework, activities, and part-time jobs. Taking away 20 hours per semester is a nasty business.

I can think of many other objections to this meddlesome legislation, but will close with this: Isn’t it foolish to believe that the state can inculcate the spirit of charitable service by refusing to give college students their degrees?