system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Universities in the United States should not require students to take General Ed classes

I've always thought that higher education was meant to give the opportunity for students to learn. GE diminishes this opportunity by telling students what they MUST learn. 

I can think of two arguments of why GE is good to be required: 

1. GE allows students to find what they want to pursue (or not). 
2. GE creates more well-rounded students. 

Rebuttals: 

1. The student knows themselves the most. They are the ones who are seeking their specific higher education. They should choose to take whatever classes they need to find what they need to find. Plus, for many students who apply with a specific major in mind and maintain it throughout, reason #1 would provide no help as finding their field has already been accomplished. 
2. The University should not push their values and ideas of what an "ideal" student should be. Yes, a philosophy class might help an engineer, and an English class might help a chemist. But who is deciding what is best for them? The engineer and chemist. If they think a philosophy class or an English class might help them, then they should take it. But, by no means should they be forced. Many of the benefits that are attributed to GE classes, such as critical thinking and communication skills, are cited. If these skills are required by the major, then they should be major requirements. 

With the insane prices of Universities nowadays, it seems imperative to "get in and get out" if the students want to minimize their crushing student debt. Although I don't know for certain, I suspect that at least one motive for requiring GE classes is so that they can soak up as much money as possible. 

I am open to having my mind changed. I would change my mind if the students are shown to be better off if they are required GE classes compared to if that requirement is dropped. I would also change my mind if my perspective of what Universities should do is false, and shown that this new role is more beneficial to students. I would also change my mind if there is another reason why GE is good for the students and shown that it is more beneficial to the students. I also can change my mind by other things that I haven't thought of yet. Thanks! 

Note 1: I included "United States" since I'm not familiar with other countries' education systems. 

Note 2: If you saw this post a few minutes ago, sorry! I had to fix the Title.
gpt
>The student knows themselves the most. They are the ones who are seeking their specific higher education. They should choose to take whatever classes they need to find what they need to find. Plus, for many students who apply with a specific major in mind and maintain it throughout, reason #1 would provide no help as finding their field has already been accomplished.

Not always. Many people have discovered new career paths or lifelong hobbies/interests in college due to general education requirements.

>The University should not push their values and ideas of what an "ideal" student should be.

It's not about making an "ideal" student. It's about setting the students up for success, giving them a broad range of skills and experience to prepare them not to just be successful in a career but also to be well-rounded and productive members of society.