As a member institution of the world's largest medical center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“university”) acknowledges and values the role of volunteers in promoting the health and well being of our patients and our students. Because the university's hospital venues for volunteers are limited, the university utilizes the services of volunteers only in selected circumstances. Volunteers perform services that augment the work of the faculty and staff at The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center; additionally, volunteer groups provide amenities and services to the students of the university’s schools. Offices throughout the university will, on occasion, use volunteers to aid faculty and staff in project completion.
A volunteer is an uncompensated individual who performs service directly related to the business of the university, to support the mission and activities of the university or to gain experience in specific endeavors. It is the policy of the university that all volunteer opportunities must be entered into without promise or expectation of compensation, future employment, or other tangible benefit. A volunteer differs from an observer (see HOOP Policy 2.59 Observers) in that a volunteer donates time and talent primarily to benefit the university. An observer or visitor is engaged in unpaid activities of an educational or training nature that primarily benefit the observer or visitor.
University volunteers are not considered employees for any purpose and are not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Volunteers are not authorized to have pagers, email access, voice mail, travel privileges, the issuance of property such as cell phones and laptop computers, or any other privileges associated with being an employee. Email access may only be granted if it is required as part of the volunteer's responsibility.
While performing his or her assigned duties, a university volunteer is an agent of the university; therefore, university volunteers must abide by all university policies that govern conduct and standards, safety requirements, financial responsibility and confidentiality. The university is dedicated to maintaining a working and learning environment that is safe, healthy, and compliant. Therefore, volunteers are expected to receive the appropriate safety training. It is the responsibility of the respective department/school to ensure these requirements are met and that the volunteer is appropriately trained. Environmental Health & Safety (“EH&S”) must be contacted to determine and coordinate the appropriate safety training. Volunteers should not be performing any duties until appropriately trained.
Volunteers are not eligible for any university benefits and are not covered under The University of Texas System Workers' Compensation Insurance and Unemployment Compensation Insurance programs. In the event of a change in status from a volunteer position to a paid position, no credit will be given to a former volunteer for time spent in a non-remunerative status with respect to benefit or retirement programs.
In accordance with The University of Texas System Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, a volunteer's relationship to other university faculty or staff will not be a bar to a volunteer position or to other non-remunerative positions.
Individuals who have been dismissed previously for cause from employment at the university or who were not employed as the result of a background security check are not eligible for volunteer positions.
The university is dedicated to complying with all applicable laws regarding employment and employment eligibility for non-citizens of the United States, including those laws and regulations that may apply to those individuals serving in a volunteer capacity. Non-United States citizens who are not eligible for employment in the United States, including those awaiting approval from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services authorities and/or the State Department, as well as those with expired visas, may not serve as volunteers unless specifically authorized by their visa. In addition, time served as a volunteer may not be included in visa applications for purposes of showing experience and/or employment history. Contact the Office of International Affairs for clarification of immigration policies and appropriate clearance.
This policy and the procedural steps described below apply to individuals who seek to support the missions of the university in a volunteer capacity. Each unit has an individual who is the Unit Volunteer Coordinator. Questions regarding the volunteer procedure should be directed to the appropriate coordinator within the school or administrative unit or to the university’s Volunteer Coordinator, through Human Resources, for more information.
This policy does not apply to:
individuals who are observers (see HOOP Policy 2.59 Observers);
individuals who are members of officially-sanctioned university support organizations such as the Development Board and other similar organizations;
individuals who do not volunteer on a recurring basis for more than a month;
individuals who are enrolled as students in academic programs at the university;
students from other institutions of higher education that are participating as part of an officially sanctioned educational agreement;
individuals who are visiting fellows; or,
individuals who seek unpaid (without salary) academic or research faculty appointments at the university (see HOOP Policy 4.04 Appointment);
Note: The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center (“UTHCPC”) has additional requirements for volunteers.
For questions regarding this policy, contact Human Resources.
For specific procedures regarding selecting and engaging a volunteer, refer to the Volunteer Program procedures on the Human Resources website.
Service of all volunteers at the university is at the pleasure of the university. The university may, at any time and for whatever reason, and at its sole discretion, terminate a volunteer's relationship with the institution.
Created 03/02; Revised 01/05, 04/09