Rev. Erin Lynn Gullickson, Benedict

Education is a hot topic. Limitless talking points ranging from the school lunch program to mill levy assessments, gender neutral bathrooms, school shootings and the cost of secondary education; it is draped across headlines, campaigned within political parties and talked about at the supper table. As a long-established equal opportunity right for everyone, education certainly has no shortage of conversational divergence. In light of all the intense, hot topic complexities swirling around education, a recent editorial from a student perspective in the “MSU Red and Green” publication brought an encouraging smile to my heart.

The editorial was a complaint about fundraising titled, “The KMSU Auction Brought to you by free labor.” This longstanding Minot State University fundraiser successfully raises a good chunk of money for the broadcasting department; those enrolled in a specific course are required to not only assist during the televised broadcast but to also help plan, prepare, organize and orchestrate the event as well. The author of the editorial feels that it should be illegal for students to have to raise money in a course. “Students are paying to learn, not to raise money for the university they are paying tuition to attend.” The student would prefer the requirement be voluntary. Per the legal department of the NDUS, it is not a crime for fundraising to be a requirement in secondary education.

It’s encouraging when a student applies effort, research and employs their right to free speech. From my own pastoral perspective, it was a voice in the wilderness reminding us why education should always remain a hot topic; we will never stop learning. Within this truth is the reality that oftentimes our lifelong learning is more appreciated in hindsight.

The student’s perspective seems to see a potential legal issue in the fundraising effort being a class requirement, would prefer fundraising for credit be “voluntary participation” and even labels it “free labor.” In hindsight, the student may one day come to value this lesson. Receiving firsthand experience of fundraising in a space where their own careers, reputations and livelihood aren’t dependent upon it quite yet – is a gift. It’s possible one day appreciation will replace the grumbling once eyes are opened to exactly how much fundraising every career or commitment requires. Eventually, hindsight may reveal just how much worthy work in this world remains left undone when given the choice between volunteering vs. requirement. I pray that hindsight also instills wisdom into the reality that “free labor” is enslavement, loss of identity and suffering at the hand of others. Human trafficking, for example, is “free labor,” comparing secondary education to being sold into slavery is painfully offensive.

I’m grateful we have a university holding their students to a higher standard, one that sees the value in learning outside of the books and even carves out dedicated time for students to work together on a community project. The MSU Broadcasting Department has developed a fantastic number of educated and knowledgeable college graduates- a good number of them currently contribute and shape our own community in positive, life-giving ways. A solid education based upon real work in this world should always be a requirement, this is where learning truly begins and continues throughout the entirety of our lives.