Volunteers

To ensure we are following US Department of Labor Laws, please email umsi.human.resources@umich.edu if you have a person who will be volunteering their services to you or a student who will be working with you in an unpaid internship. UMSI follows the U-M volunteer policy and guidelines.

In general, students (including international students) may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not violate any labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT. These students must be able to provide evidence from the employer that the student worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment. 

The following six criteria must be met for an internship to be considered a legitimate unpaid internship (and not employment below minimum wage, in violation of Department of Labor laws):

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation on the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;

2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;

3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;

4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion, its operations may actually be impeded;

5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and

6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship

If UMSI HR can verify the criteria can be met, then they will work with you to produce a letter for the volunteer to sign.