This is a complete Dean Elmore "pie in the sky" idea ... that will go nowhere. How about this, Dean, why not make sure that the Community Service Center gets the budget they need to do the programs they are doing NOW, rather than stretch the staff more. OK?

FYSOP is a great program. Many friends are made and more importantly, we service the city of Boston and have fun doing it. Having said that, FYSOP should absolutely not be mandatory. It is absolutely ridiculous to force people to be part of a volunteer program. It's a volunteer program for a reason. Forcing people into this program will only do harm to the sense of community and cohesiveness to this special program. Then you think about the logistics and monetary concern if this program is to increase...look at what happened this year during the program. Dining halls were packed (and mind you it was the ONE dining hall that was open and all FYSOPers, RAs, and athletes were occupying the space all at once at one point or another), the budget to sustain a program for 4000 people would be absolutely insane, the office of housing would have to prepare itself for a massive overhaul of bringing all the first years a week beforehand. Not a good idea!

Serving as a volunteer and then a staff member for FYSOP was one of the best things I did at BU. That said... in no way is it for everyone, and in no way should it be mandatory. Part of why FYSOP (or ASB, or any CSC activity) succeeds is that its volunteers sign up because they are enthusiastic and excited about the chosen activity. I met great people at FYSOP, and got along with them because we had something in common... we all liked volunteering, and we all liked working with children. As a staff member a few summers later, I met a whole group of students who cared about helping people with disabilities. I saw people from both groups throughout the year, because we were likely to participate in common activities. If I were the head of a charitable organization in the Boston area, I honestly would be wary about inviting a group of 18-year-olds who were forced to participate in the service project whether they wanted to or not. I will say that it's very unfortunate that not everyone who truly is enthusiastic and excited about volunteering can participate in FYSOP, because of its cost.

I'm a former FYSOP coordinator. Assuming that the 15% who answered YES actually participated in FYSOP, I'm embarrassed for the program. To require it completely misses the point, not to mention displays a complete lack of understanding that all persons aren't the same, and all experiences aren't created equal. Not to mention that some students may actually need to work to support their education, or may have more enriching opportunities available that would conflict with FYSOP's time line. Honestly, I'm not sure which I find more embarrassing: that an official publication of my alma mater used the phrase "required to volunteer", or that it has failed to educate the 15% YES crowd beyond middle school levels of perspective and understanding.

FYSOP should absolutely not be mandatory - the University must commit to its students' freedom to give time and resources to causes as they sees fit, not as FYSOP or the University dictates.

I like the idea that some programs should be mandatory part of the college experience -- having done the FYSOP program my Freshman year at BU, I have to say that it was a great source of social networking, and the friends and connections I made remain to this day. Additionally, as BU continues to expand its reach both academically and institutionally, these sorts of programs help to define the image and appeal of the University. Everyone should get involved.

Some people feel more comfortable volunteering indirectly or for other causes. I personally think FYSOP is great, but it should definitely be a choice rather than a requisite activity.

While it's a fantastic program, I would argue that part of its appeal is that it's a large group of passionate individuals and those who do not want to be there would bring the program down.