Guidelines on Accepting Volunteer Services

Introduction

Harvey Mudd College encourages and supports volunteer service. A volunteer may perform a variety of functions in support of campus activities such as assisting faculty and staff members with campus events and general office work, providing volunteers are not assigned work that displaces a staff member, fills a vacancy or relieves a staff member of regular duties and responsibilities. College departments have the discretion to accept volunteer service in accordance with the conditions outlined in these guidelines.

Definition

A volunteer is a person who donates his/her time in providing services to the College without contemplation of pay or benefits. A volunteer is not an employee of the College.

Who May Volunteer

  • The College accepts volunteer service from retirees, students, alumni, trustees, community members and other individuals. Due to complexities of California labor law, typically non-exempt (hourly) employees who are employed by the College are not eligible to volunteer for services. Exceptions may be considered on facts and circumstances after review and approval by the Office of Human Resources.
  • A current HMC faculty and staff member may not become a volunteer at the College in any capacity in which he or she is employed at the College, or which is similar to or related to the individual’s regular work at the College.
  • Minors: The College does not generally allow minors under the age of 16 to volunteer. Department management may accept volunteer services from a minor who is 14 or 15 years old with prior, advance approval from the department’s Vice President and after consultation with the Human Resources Office.

An individual who is a minor may volunteer with written consent from a parent or guardian prior to the beginning of the volunteer assignment. Written consent may be obtained by having the parent/guardian sign the Volunteer Registration and Liability Waiver and Release Form, which is the last past of these guidelines (See Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities).

A minor may not be assigned tasks that are considered hazardous by federal and state child labor laws including, but not limited to, those that involve:

  • Manufacturing or storing explosives or articles containing explosive components
    • Operating a motor vehicle (includes forklifts, cars, vans, electric or gas carts)
    • Operating circular saws and band saws
    • Operating power-driven metal forming, punching and shearing machines and woodworking machines
    • Operating elevators and other power-driven hoisting apparatus
    • Operating packing, processing, or rendering equipment
    • Operating hazardous power-driven paper products machines
    • Operating power-driving bakery machines
    • Exposure to radioactive substances and to ionizing radiations
    • Excavation or demolition
    • Working in roofing operations
    • A minor who is age 14 or 15 and who is approved to volunteer is limited to the following assignments:
    • Office and clerical work
    • Cashiering
    • Errands and delivery work by foot, bicycle, or public transportation
    • Cleaning, including the use of vacuum cleaners
    • Serving food and non-alcoholic beverages

Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities

  • A volunteer is not an employee of the College and does not receive, nor expect compensation or benefits for the services they provide.
  • Volunteers are expected to abide by College policies that apply to their activities, including those that pertain to confidentiality, financial responsibility, nondiscrimination/harassment and drug and alcohol use.
  • Volunteers serve at the pleasure of the College. A volunteer assignment may be terminated at the discretion of the College without notice or cause.

Department Management Responsibilities

  • Recruiting volunteers
  • Identifying and describing volunteer assignments
  • Obtaining written consent from a parent or guardian for volunteers who are minors
  • Orienting and training volunteers in their responsibilities