Focusing only on traditional, required courses, unconnected to the larger world picture, will not ultimately serve students or the world they share. Therefore, the University must provide opportunities that link classroom learning to experiential learning, including community service. Without these opportunities, students like the ones in a study by the Association of American Colleges will continue to find it difficult to link their education with their community at-large. Requiring students to participate in activities which link the learning both inside and outside the classroom is not a well-meant innovation but a responsibility the University has in educating its students. Community service may be based on the idea that equity and social justice is being served, but without any connection to strong educational curriculum, many students will continue to serve in soup kitchens but won't ever question why we have soup kitchens.
Education is critical to establishing equal opportunity and equity in our society.
Moreover, institutions of higher education have the responsibility to promote the common good and to provide students with a clear statement of what the institution values. Education must serve as a vehicle for change by addressing diversity issues and by providing students with the knowledge they need to access options. We need to help students to question the traditional viewpoints and challenge them to find other alternatives. We must provide students with an understanding of multicultural perspectives that are part of a globally conscious society. If students were involved in this type of education, one would hope that they would be more able to come to their own conclusions about what it means to be socially responsible citizens.