No default value set.

I have a node of content type "Order". This has a field "status" with two values "received" or "shipped". I want this field to be hidden to users. I also want this field to default to "received".

When a user goes to submit node form, they fill out all the information and click submit. However, the default value is not being selected despite me making sure it is.

Is this because the user doesn't have create perms and therefore the default value isn't being selected?? Or is this a bug? I notice I am behind on versions.. I should upgrade. Would that solve it?